WHY REFURB-TO-LET IS SHAPING THE NEXT PHASE OF BUY-TO-LET LENDING
Over the past 12 to 18 months, the buy-to-let market has become more selective, with landlords increasingly focused on strategies that improve asset quality, rental performance, and long-term value. One approach gaining renewed traction is the refurb-to-let model.
Buy, refurbish, refinance – often called BRR or BRRR – remains relevant as landlords respond to pricing adjustments, rental demand, and rising expectations around property standards. Across England, Wales, and Scotland, opportunities often lie in homes or flats requiring light refurbishment before being let on a standard tenancy. These projects typically involve updating kitchens, bathrooms, improving energy efficiency, or reconfiguring layouts rather than undertaking more significant structural work.
The Funding Challenge for Refurb Projects
While the strategy itself is well understood, funding has not always kept pace. Traditionally, investors have relied on a bridging loan to acquire and refurbish, followed by a separate refinance onto a buy-to-let mortgage.
This month, Roma Finance launched our Refurb Buy-to-Let product to address this. Designed for smaller refurbishment projects where the exit strategy is to hold and let, the product combines short-term funding and longer-term buy-to-let finance in a single solution.
This simplifies the process, reduces costs, and enables landlords to release equity once the property is refurbished and let. The launch sits alongside our established bridging and development offering, giving brokers and landlords a broader range of options depending on the needs of each project.
We are seeing more landlords focus on adding value through refurbishment rather than pursuing large-scale development. The challenge has often been the funding structure for the type of endeavour, so we are really excited to bring our Refurb Buy-to-Let (BTL) product to the market as it gives greater assurance from day one, aligning the finance with the customer’s long-term strategy.
Reducing Risk and Supporting Long-Term Portfolio Growth
Aimed at landlords and investors acquiring properties where works represent up to 25% of the day one value, and by combining purchase and refurbishment funding, Refurb BTL helps reduce risk, avoid valuation shortfalls, and speeds up delivery.
For many property entrepreneurs, building a resilient portfolio is a priority. By removing the need to refinance onto a separate product, we help reduce exposure to market fluctuations while providing a clearer view of the end position.
Product Criteria and Market Coverage
Refurb BTL sits within our ‘PRO’ range but is delivered using the Roma FLOW process, reflecting the lender’s emphasis on consistency, clarity, and reliability. Loan sizes range from £75,000 to £500,000, with a minimum property value of £100,000 and terms of 36 months.
Available across England, Wales, and Scotland, Refurb BTL will consider all borrower entities. This accommodates the diverse profiles of landlords and reflects how the market is evolving.
Private Rented Sector Trends
More broadly, this latest launch aligns with trends in the private rented sector, where improving stock quality is a growing focus.
Refurbishing stock enables landlords to meet tenant expectations, manage operating costs, and future-proof assets. As a result, funding solutions such as Refurb BTL that simplify the process and provide reliability are understandably becoming increasingly popular.
For brokers, understanding how Refurb BTL fits into a landlord’s wider strategy is essential. In a market where flexibility remains crucial but reliability is key, solutions that combine both help landlords move forward with confidence.
Our offering is designed to support today’s investment strategies while reflecting the long-term evolution of the buy-to-let market.
For more information on Refurb BTL with Roma Finance, visit .
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