A HMO mortgage lender will also take into consideration your rental income. This can greatly increase the amount of mortgage available. HMO mortgages may be offered at variable or tracker rates. LTV rates start at 80% LTV. Lower deposits and higher LTV ratios lead to more attractive rates.
HMO properties are more likely to yield higher yields but they can be more difficult to set up. A HMO licence may be required by landlords depending on the HMO's nature.
In assessing the HMO's value, lenders might consider your rental income. This is especially useful if you are trying to withdraw equity or have converted the property.
HMOs are usually restricted to certain places. HMOs may be targeted at students, single professionals, or other tenants. HMOs often have restricted locations. They are usually located in the city centre or close to major amenities and bus routes. It would not be a good idea to set up an HMO in rural areas in the middle and end of nowhere.
HMOs are not valued by all lenders based only on rental income. Lenders will instead value the HMO as a standard house. This can limit your ability to borrow money, which can defeat the purpose behind an HMO mortgage.
These higher potential rewards have higher risks. Tenants are more likely to leave than in a traditional buyÐto-let. Additionally, every tenant you add is an unknown risk (e.g. Will they pay the rent? Will they cause harm? Will they cause any disputes? You will also need a specialist loan.
HMO properties might be offered for sale with irresistible "100%+ gross returns". It's hard to imagine anyone not wanting a piece of this. Gross yields in HMOs are not good. There are significant costs involved, such as council tax, insurance and utility bills. Management costs include rent arrears, voids, and management costs. You might see a ROI of 8-10% for an HMO, as opposed to 4-5% for a single-tenancy Buy-to-Let.