Refinancing is the opportunity brokers can’t afford to ignore 

When markets are changing, it’s easy to focus on what might happen next. Will rates move? What will the next Budget bring? How will politics affect landlord confidence? 

But while speculation often dominates headlines, one of the biggest opportunities for brokers is already here: buy-to-let refinancing. 

Recent UK Finance data highlights just how important this part of the market has become. In Q1 2026, buy-to-let remortgage volumes increased by 11.1% year-on-year to 39,160 cases, while lending rose 15.3% to £7.5bn. Product transfers grew even faster, with 72,000 completed during the quarter and total lending reaching £12.3bn. 

The message is clear. While purchase business remains vital, refinancing is playing an increasingly important role in the buy-to-let market. 

A significant pipeline of future business 

At the end of Q1, there were almost 1.47 million fixed-rate buy-to-let mortgages outstanding. Every one of those landlords will eventually need to make another financing decision. 

For brokers, that creates a substantial pipeline of future opportunities. 

Now is the time to review existing client portfolios, identify upcoming maturities and start conversations early. Waiting until a deal is about to expire can limit options and increase pressure on both broker and client. 

Early engagement gives landlords more time to consider the full range of products available and make decisions that suit their circumstances. 

Product transfer or remortgage? 

The growth in product transfers reflects their convenience. For many landlords, staying with their current lender can be a straightforward and attractive option. 

But convenience alone shouldn’t drive the recommendation. 

Many landlords are coming to the end of deals originally arranged four or five years ago. Since then, some lenders have changed their criteria, adjusted their propositions or exited parts of the market altogether. As a result, retention options may not always be as competitive or as readily available as borrowers expect. 

That’s why comparing a product transfer against the wider market remains essential. 

A product transfer may well be the best outcome. Equally, an external remortgage could provide a better fit when rates, fees, incentives and overall product structure are taken into account. 

Technology is helping remove barriers 

Historically, switching lenders could mean additional costs, paperwork and delays. Today, the process is often much smoother. 

Automated valuation models (AVMs) can remove the need for a physical valuation on suitable cases, helping lenders reach offer more quickly. Free valuations and assisted legal options can also reduce some of the costs traditionally associated with remortgaging. 

That means brokers can focus more on identifying the right solution for the client rather than worrying about unnecessary friction in the process. 

Focus on what you can control 

Interest rates and political developments will continue to attract attention. But trying to predict every market movement isn’t always the best use of a broker’s time. 

What brokers can control is identifying clients approaching maturity, starting conversations early and ensuring both product transfer and remortgage options are properly assessed. 

Refinancing demand is already here. More fixed-rate deals will mature over the coming months, and landlords have a broad range of options available to them. 

The opportunity isn’t in predicting the future. It’s in helping clients make the most informed decision when their next mortgage choice arrives. 

If you have any questions or want to talk about your next case, please contact your Local BDM.