Octane Capital has relaunched its specialist buy-to-let product, offering loans of up to £15m at up to 80% gross LTV, including fees. The lender said brokers asked for the range to return. It covers portfolio landlords, foreign nationals and specialist properties including semi-commercial assets, large HMOs and MUBs.
The launch is the first since Aldermore Bank acquired Octane in March 2026. It follows a series of changes to the lender's bridging range, including fixed rates, automated valuation models (AVMs), dual representation and wider use of title insurance to speed up completions.
Residential portfolio loans reach £15m, HMO loans go up to £3m and MUB loans up to £10m. Octane sets no maximum number of HMO bedrooms or MUB units, subject to lending criteria.
The interest deferral option also returns, letting borrowers defer 1% a year of interest. Deferral lowers the pay rate, which can raise the LTV a borrower achieves within affordability limits.
Octane's top-slicing approach lets eligible borrowers use personal income alongside rent to meet interest coverage ratio (ICR) requirements, with rent needing to cover only 90% of interest at the pay rate. The lender aims the approach at high-net-worth borrowers investing in lower-yielding properties in London and the South East.
Borrowers carrying out light refurbishment can self-fund works costing up to 10% of the property's market value under the specialist buy-to-let terms. On untenanted properties, Octane also offers up to six months' interest retention, giving borrowers time to finish works and find tenants.
"Our buy-to-let product is back by popular demand," said Jonathan Samuels, chief executive of Octane Capital (pictured).
"Brokers want somewhere to take the cases that require a closer look, whether that is a large HMO, a portfolio landlord or a borrower whose income needs to form part of the affordability assessment.
"The option to defer 1% a year in interest was hugely popular last time. Lowering the pay rate can help borrowers achieve a higher LTV on lower-yielding properties in London and the South East. Combined with top slicing for high-net-worth borrowers, it allows us to look at affordability beyond the rent alone.
"Since joining Aldermore, we have moved quickly to give brokers more options and make transactions easier. Bringing back Specialist Buy to Let is the next step, combining Octane's approach to complex lending with the backing of Aldermore Bank."
