A mortgage for a property which the owner intends to let out to students or other tenants. See commercial mortgages.
Buy to let mortgages will require a higher deposit than standard residential mortgages as lenders will perceive that the buy to let is a lower financial priority than the residentail property. (you will save the roof over your head before the roof over someone else's)
It is very possible for the financially buoyant to build up a portfolio of properties that will pay for themselves or even drive a significant income. This can lead to a paid in full portfolio worth millions.
It is important to get your maths right when building a portfolio, or indeed taking on a single additional financial committment of a new mortgage. If rates rise that can squeeze the margin between rental income and the mortgage and can even lead to a situation where rent does not cover the mortgage. It is not easy to put rent up as there will be 12 month contracts, so any shortfall in rent will have to be made up through your savings.
Having said all that, buy to let mortgages allow amagnificent opportunity for financial gain.
