For many aspiring investors, Buy to Let property looks like an attractive way to enter the housing market. However, in Northern Ireland, securing a Buy to Let mortgage as a first-time buyer is far more challenging than many expect. Unlike residential mortgages, Buy to Let lending is assessed as a business risk. Lenders typically prefer applicants who already own a residential property and have experience managing mortgage commitments. That doesn’t mean first-time buyer Buy to Let mortgages are impossible — but the options are limited and very specific. Why first-time buyer Buy to Let mortgages are restricted From a lender’s perspective, Buy to Let applicants are expected to demonstrate both financial stability and experience. First-time buyers lack a mortgage track record, which increases perceived risk. As a result, most lenders restrict Buy to Let borrowing to applicants who already own their own home. No residential mortgage history No evidence of managing property finance Higher risk during rental voids Because of this, only a small number of lenders are willing to consider first-time buyer Buy to Let applications in Northern Ireland. Income requirements Personal income plays a significant role in first-time buyer Buy to Let applications. Most lenders expect applicants to earn a minimum annual income before considering a Buy to Let mortgage. This is separate from the anticipated rental income and is designed to ensure you could support the mortgage if the property were vacant. Rental income alone is rarely sufficient Stable, provable income is essential Lower income significantly reduces available options If minimum income thresholds are not met, Buy to Let options become extremely limited or unavailable. Deposit and loan-to-value limits First-time buyer Buy to Let mortgages typically require larger deposits. Minimum deposits are usually 25% or more Lower loan-to-value reduces lender risk Higher deposits may improve acceptance chances Even with a strong deposit, lenders will still assess income, affordability, and rental coverage carefully. Rental income stress testing Lenders assess Buy to Let affordability by stress testing the rental income. In most cases, the expected rent must exceed the mortgage payment by a significant margin — often at a higher notional interest rate. Rental income must comfortably cover repayments Letting agent evidence is usually required Shortfalls can result in automatic decline When a first-time buyer Buy to Let may be possible Although difficult, there are scenarios where a first-time buyer Buy to Let mortgage may be achievable. Strong, provable personal income Large deposit available Low-risk, standard property type Strong rental coverage Clean credit history Even in these cases, lender choice is limited and criteria are applied strictly. Common mistakes to avoid One of the most common mistakes first-time investors make is applying blindly. Multiple declined applications harm your credit file Online eligibility tools rarely reflect real criteria Approaching the wrong lender wastes time In a restricted market like Northern Ireland, choosing the wrong route can close doors unnecessarily. Why broker advice is essential First-time buyer Buy to Let mortgages are not suitable for trial-and-error approaches. A broker can assess whether your circumstances meet the limited criteria available and advise whether Buy to Let is realistic now — or whether a residential purchase first would open more options later. In many cases, timing and structure matter just as much as income and deposit. If you’re considering a Buy to Let purchase as a first-time buyer, getting clarity before applying can save months of frustration. A short conversation can confirm whether a Buy to Let mortgage is achievable — and if not, what steps could make it possible in the future.