Steve Cox, our Chief Commercial Officer, reflects on 2025 and looks ahead at 2026. From cashback incentives to Renters’ Rights Act guidance, we’ve worked hard to support advisers every step. More>>
Steve Cox
Chief Commercial Officer
A year shaped by change
The buy-to-let sector has moved at pace this year. Government policy changes, shifting landlord behaviour, and evolving borrower needs have all influenced the market. At Fleet, our focus has been to respond to these changes and act on adviser feedback so you can support your landlord clients with confidence.
From the outset, our aim was clear: to make our criteria more flexible, to expand our product options, and to improve the adviser experience step-by-step.
Strengthening adviser support
We began the year by increasing procuration fees for new business from 0.50% to 0.55%, recognising the vital role advisers played as landlords reassessed strategies after a challenging period.
In the months that followed, we made some improvements to our criteria, all of which were pain points raised by advisers, including:
Product development driven by borrower needs
Advisers told us landlords wanted flexibility, short-term certainty, and help with upfront costs, all of which helped to shape our product strategy throughout the year:
Supporting more complex company structures
Limited company lending has long been central to our proposition. Advisers highlighted that group structures were becoming more complex, and lenders like ourselves, needed to keep pace.
In response, we broadened our criteria to reflect the changing landscape of company-owned portfolios, helping advisers place cases that previously required bespoke solutions while delivering a smoother process.
Preparing for legislative change
Interest in the Renters’ Rights Act grew steadily throughout the year. Advisers needed clarity to explain operational and cost impacts to clients.
We responded by:
Expanding access and driving sustainability
One of our biggest milestones this year was removing our restricted conveyancer panel for limited company applications. This change gives advisers the freedom to choose the legal partner that best fits their clients’ needs, while streamlining the process for borrowers. It’s a move that not only improves flexibility but also supports sustainability by reducing unnecessary complexity in transactions.
Our green cashback incentive continued to gain momentum. By October 2025, 144 payments had been made, showing how often advisers were helping landlords fund upgrades that improve running costs and boost long-term value.
We also aligned minimum age requirements, setting a consistent threshold of 21 for all applicants, including first-time landlords.
Looking ahead to 2026
The Renters’ Rights Act, and its responsibilities, will sit at the centre of landlord planning next year as the requirements to meet it come in from May. Advisers will need clear lender support as clients work through their duties and wider financial aims. We will continue to improve our criteria, streamline processes, and expand guidance that helps advisers give clear and confident advice.
As we look ahead to 2026, our commitment remains unchanged: to listen, act, and support advisers and their landlord clients every step of the way.