Million Pound Mortgages

Traditional rental income requirements and stress tests are not usually applied as strictly when it comes to million pound plus buy-to-let mortgages.

Instead, lenders will look at the net worth of the borrower their personal income and how interest would be serviced during void periods.

We can arrange a large buy to let mortgages even if the property isn't let.

This is a specialist part of the market and one we are very experienced in.

Enness brokers million-pound mortgages in the UK and abroad for high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs and business owners, including non-resident borrowers.

While both private and international banks are responsible for most of the million-pound mortgages, high street lenders also offer these mortgages. New lenders are continually entering this part of the market, including niche, alternative and invitation-only lenders. Enness is always among the first brokers to connect with these lenders and offered new products. This makes us an especially good choice of broker to turn to, whatever type of mortgage you are looking for.

The deposit required for a £1 million mortgage depends on your residency status, income structure, asset profile, and the property type being purchased.

UK residents with straightforward income may access lending from around 75–90% loan-to-value in some circumstances, meaning a deposit from approximately 10–25%. However, for larger or more complex transactions, particularly those involving international income, prime London property, or interest-only structures, lenders typically expect deposits starting from around 25% or more.

High-net-worth borrowers may also qualify for tailored solutions through private banks or specialist lenders, where affordability can be assessed using assets, investment portfolios, or global income rather than salary alone. Working with a specialist broker helps ensure the structure, leverage level, and lender choice are aligned with your wider financial strategy when arranging seven-figure borrowing.

For a £1 million mortgage, traditional lenders typically require an income of around £200,000 to £250,000, based on standard affordability multiples. However, this is only a starting point, and the actual requirement can vary significantly depending on how the mortgage is structured.

At this level, lending is not assessed on salary alone. Many borrowers use a combination of income sources, including bonuses, dividends or retained profits, while others qualify based on assets, investments or overall net worth. As a result, it is often possible to secure a £1 million mortgage with lower income where there is sufficient supporting wealth or liquidity.

For high-value mortgages, lenders will typically consider:

• Salary, bonuses and variable income
• Dividend income and business profits
• Investment portfolios and liquid assets
• Existing property equity
• Overall financial strength and long-term affordability

This is why structuring is key. By aligning borrowing with income streams or leveraging additional assets, lenders can take a more flexible view than standard income multiples would suggest.

To get a £1 million mortgage, lenders will assess a combination of income, deposit, assets and overall financial strength. While standard affordability models rely on income multiples, high-value mortgages are often underwritten more flexibly, particularly for borrowers with complex income or significant assets.

Securing a £1 million mortgage typically involves:

1. Establishing your borrowing position
Lenders will review your income, including salary, bonuses, dividends or business profits, alongside your wider asset position and liquidity.

2. Providing a suitable deposit
Most borrowers will require a deposit of 15-40%, although higher leverage may be possible where additional assets or security are available.

3. Choosing the right lender
High street banks, private banks and specialist lenders all operate differently. For larger loans, private banks and specialist lenders often provide greater flexibility.

4. Structuring the mortgage appropriately
This may include interest-only arrangements, aligning borrowing with income streams, or leveraging existing assets to improve affordability and loan-to-value.

5. Completing valuation and underwriting
The lender will assess the property, borrower profile and repayment strategy before issuing terms and progressing to completion.

For more complex scenarios, particularly involving international income, multiple assets or non-standard ownership structures, access to the right lenders and structuring expertise can make a significant difference to both approval and terms.

Mortgage rates for loans of £1 million and above typically range from around 4.5% to 7.5%+ per annum, depending on factors such as loan-to-value, borrower profile and overall transaction complexity. Lower rates are generally available at lower LTVs and for borrowers with high income, assets and liquidity.

At this level, pricing is not determined by rate alone. Lenders will assess the structure of the loan, including whether it is arranged on an interest-only basis, the strength of the repayment strategy and the overall financial position of the borrower. Private banks and specialist lenders may offer more flexible pricing where assets, investments or wider banking relationships are taken into account.

Rates can also vary depending on whether the mortgage is fixed or variable, the length of the term and the type of property being financed. As a result, securing the most suitable rate often depends on how the mortgage is structured rather than selecting a single product.

For million-pound mortgages, structuring is often more important than the headline rate. Rather than relying on a single income source or standard affordability model, lending can be tailored to reflect a borrower’s wider financial position, including assets, investments and multiple income streams.

This may involve aligning borrowing with bonus or dividend income, using interest-only structures to preserve liquidity, or leveraging existing property or investment assets to optimise loan-to-value. For borrowers with more complex profiles, lenders may take a holistic view, assessing overall wealth and long-term affordability rather than applying strict income multiples.

Structuring can also determine how efficiently capital is deployed. For example, borrowers may choose to retain cash for investment by increasing leverage or introducing additional security to access more favourable terms. In some cases, multiple facilities may be combined to support acquisition, refinance or longer-term planning.

Access to the right lenders is key. Private banks and specialist lenders are often able to offer greater flexibility, particularly where income is non-standard, assets are held across different jurisdictions, or ownership structures are more complex.