Buy to Let - Fleet Mortgages Conveyancing Requirements for Properties Let at Completion

Fleet Mortgages legal requirements are explicit in Part 1 of the December 1st 2014 version of the CML Handbook which provides that unless it is clear from the mortgage offer that the property is let or is to be let at completion then you must check with Fleet Mortgages as to whether Fleet Mortgages lend on "buy-to-let" premises and that the loan is for that purpose.

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Previously updated on 09/09/2025 Section Two of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Fleet Mortgages deals with who you need to contact If different from section 1.11, i.e the contact point if property is let or to be let. It also deals with whether Fleet Mortgages lend on buy-to-let

See 1.11a. Your attention is drawn, however, to the terms of the mortgage offer. We do not require a report if consent to the property being let is granted under the terms of the offer.

If the residence, or part of it, is currently let, or is to be let at completion, then the letting must comply with the details set out in the Fleet Mortgages mortgage offer or any consent to let Fleet Mortgages issue. If the letting fails to comply, or no such details are mentioned, you are obliged report the position to Fleet Mortgages

Part 2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Fleet Mortgages outlines who you must contact If different from 1.11, i.e the contact point when you do not have details of current letting or letting to take place at completion:

See 1.11a

Property lawyers on the Fleet Mortgages conveyancing panel,when it comes to buy to let properties need to check Part 2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook as to whether counterparts or certified copies of all tenancy agreements and leases in respect of existing tenancies must be sent to Fleet Mortgages after completion

In addressing the question whether the mortgage company requires a certified copy letting agreement to be sent Fleet Mortgages says:

No, we do not require any tenancy agreements to be sent to us.

However, you must ensure that any tenancy agreement meets the criteria set out below:
Acceptable Tenancies:
• Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), or in Wales, Standard Occupation Contracts (SOCs) with a term not exceeding 36 months and total rental income below £100k per annum.

• Non-assured tenancy agreements:
1. Corporate Tenancies of wholly residential property, including to Local Authorities/Housing Associations/Registered Social Housing Providers/Charities (but excluding tenancies to organisations which provide care or other services to occupants on the premises)
2. Shared Households/Student Lets (provided the property is not on a student campus) - tenancies may be in individual names or a group of names but the number of tenancies must be consistent with the size of the property
Meeting the following criteria:
o Maximum 5 year term
o Tenant must not have option to renew or be granted security of tenure
o Use of the property must be restricted to residential purposes only with business use prohibited.
o Prohibition on assignment/subletting, except for Corporate Tenancies where the tenant is granting an AST/SOC/licence to the end user and is not remaining in occupation or control.

For any tenancy agreement over 12 months, the landlord must have an unconditional right to terminate (at least after the first 12 months) or the right to terminate upon the appointment of a receiver.

Properties must not be used as holiday lets (including Airbnb or similar) or short-term lets. Fleet does not accept protected or assured tenancies, tenancies granted to diplomats/diplomatic missions or agricultural tenancies.

Where a tenancy agreement contains an unconditional right for the property to be converted into an HMO, you must ensure the loan must is documented under an HMO product.

The agreement must contain no other provisions which adversely affect the lender’s security or its right to enforce its remedies under the mortgage deed executed by the borrower.

The information contained within this webpage is for general information purposes only for lawyers in England and Wales, it does not constitute advice and you should always check the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Fleet Mortgages Buy to Let requirements as well as the mortgage offer. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct but does not make any representation or warranties of any kind about its completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability. Any reliance you place on the information is strictly at your own risk. Lexsure will not be liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the use of this information. The same caveat applies to members of the public looking at this page. If you wish to find a buy to let conveyancing specialist on the Fleet Mortgages panel or a buy to let mortgage broker click here.