Consent to Let

Consent to let is formal permission from a mortgage lender allowing a homeowner to rent out a property that is currently on a residential mortgage. Without this consent, letting the property may breach the mortgage conditions, even if the tenancy itself is valid in housing law.

A homeowner might ask for consent to let because they need to move for work, are struggling to sell, or want to try letting short term before switching to a full buy-to-let mortgage. Lenders usually set conditions, such as a time limit, extra fees or a higher interest rate. They may also restrict the type of tenancy or require proper landlord insurance.

For renters, consent to let mainly affects the relationship between lender and owner, not the basic tenancy rights. If you have a genuine tenancy agreement and live in the property as your home, your rights under housing law will normally still apply. However, if a landlord has not told their lender, problems with the mortgage (such as repossession) can create uncertainty, so tenants should keep good records and seek advice if they receive letters from the lender.