Barclays Announces Enhanced Mortgage Criteria: Greater Flexibility for Self-Employed, Large Loans, and Buy-to-Let Landlords

Barclays Mortgages has introduced a series of policy enhancements designed to give UK borrowers — including self-employed applicants, buy-to-let landlords, and those seeking larger loans — a more flexible and accommodating mortgage experience. These changes, driven by broker and customer feedback, offer fresh opportunities for increasing loan size and improving overall affordability, aligning with the Barclays mortgage criteria 2025.

Key Barclays Mortgage Policy Changes: 2025 Overview

• 100% Profit After Tax (PAT) Accepted for Self-Employed Borrowers
• Interest-Only Mortgage Maximum Loan to Value (LTV) Increased to 75% for High-Equity Cases
• Maximum Loans Increased for Buy-to-Let (BTL) New Builds and Flats
• Direct Access to Underwriters for Loans of £700k+
• 90% LTV Now Possible If Applicants Hold a Background Residential Mortgage

1. 100% Profit After Tax (PAT) Accepted for Self-Employed Applicants

Barclays will now accept the full Profit After Tax (PAT) when assessing affordability for self-employed borrowers. This significant shift boosts the borrowing potential for company directors and business owners, especially those reinvesting within their business structure. Barclays mortgage criteria 2025 support this change by offering enhanced options for self-employed individuals.

• Who benefits? Self-employed applicants with strong PAT figures now have access to higher borrowing levels.
• Minimum loan threshold for PAT acceptance: Now reduced to £700,000 (was previously higher), unlocking more options for larger mortgages.
• Make sure PAT is entered accurately into Barclays’ application system for assessment.

What is PAT?

Profit After Tax (PAT) refers to a company’s net profit after all expenses and taxes have been paid. Many lenders only use a portion of PAT for affordability, but Barclays now considers 100%, providing a fairer assessment for entrepreneurs. These adjustments in Barclays mortgage criteria 2025 aim to fairly evaluate entrepreneurial income.

2. Greater Flexibility for Interest-Only Borrowers

For clients seeking interest-only mortgages secured by property, Barclays has:

• Increased the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) to 75% (was previously lower) — applicable where the proposed repayment vehicle is the sale of the property and at least £500,000 in equity is present.
• Supports remortgage applicants and high net worth borrowers aiming for larger loan sizes or lower monthly payments.

3. Buy-to-Let Loan Maximums Increased for New Builds and Flats

Barclays now allows larger buy-to-let mortgage loans for selected property types:

• New Builds: Max loan size now £550,000 (previously £500,000), applicable at 60–75% LTV bands.
• Flats: Max loan size increased to £550,000 at 70–75% LTV bands.

This move particularly benefits property investors and landlords expanding portfolios with newer or flat stock under the Barclays mortgage criteria 2025.

4. Direct Access to Underwriters for Larger Loans (£700k+)

Applicants pursuing larger mortgages (above £700,000) now have direct phone access to underwriting teams at Barclays. This improves communication and speeds up the resolution of pre-submission queries, streamlining complex or high-value applications.

5. Higher LTV for Applicants with Background Residential Mortgages

Barclays will lend up to 90% LTV for residential purchases and remortgages even if the applicant has an existing background residential mortgage that will not be redeemed on completion (subject to standard max loan caps: £640,000 for houses, £310,000 for flats).

• Applicants with background ‘Permission to Let’ mortgages remain capped at 80% LTV.

This policy supports homeowners upgrading or investing while retaining their current property, reflecting the broad scope of Barclays mortgage criteria 2025.

Why Choose Barclays for Your Next Mortgage?

• Increased borrowing potential for limited company directors and self-employed clients.
• Flexible large loan options with easier access to underwriters.
• Tailored solutions for complex cases, including buy-to-let, interest-only, and multi-property ownership.
• Responsive to feedback, with ongoing criteria reviews and improvements.

Ready to Explore Your Barclays Mortgage Options?

These changes make Barclays one of the most progressive UK mortgage lenders for professionals, investors, and high-net-worth individuals. For personalized mortgage advice — and to check your eligibility for these new Barclays criteria — contact our expert team today. With the Barclays mortgage criteria 2025 updates, borrowers have more reasons to explore these offerings.

Compare Barclays and other market-leading rates, or call 0800 048 8828 for one-to-one support.

FAQs: Barclays Mortgage Criteria Updates 2025

• Who qualifies for Barclays’ new PAT criteria?Self-employed applicants, especially company owners and directors, with £700,000+ loan requirements and strong PAT figures.
• How do the new buy-to-let loan limits help landlords?Landlords and investors can borrow more against new builds and flats, supporting larger portfolio growth at competitive LTVs.
• What is the benefit of increased interest-only LTV?Borrowers with significant equity can now take higher LTV interest-only mortgages, allowing more flexible cashflow management.
• How do I access Barclays’ underwriters for large loans?If your loan is £700k or above, your broker can call their underwriting teams directly for individual case guidance.
• Can I get a Barclays mortgage with an existing background mortgage?Yes — up to 90% LTV is available for residential property, subject to maximum loan caps and standard lending checks.