Foundation: Specialist Buy-to-Let and Residential Mortgages
Foundation Lending is a specialist mortgage lender in the UK, focusing on providing tailored mortgage solutions for both residential and buy-to-let properties. With a deep understanding of the complex needs of various borrowers, Foundation offers a wide range of products designed to cater to landlords, self-employed individuals, and those with complex income streams or less-than-perfect credit histories.
At Kerr & Watson, we can arrange a mortgage from the whole of the market, including Foundation, to provide our clients with access to these specialist products. This ensures that you secure the right mortgage to meet your specific financial and investment goals.
Why do people consider Foundation Lending?
Expertise in Specialist Lending
Foundation is well-regarded for its expertise in offering mortgages to clients with unique financial situations. Whether you are a landlord with a diverse portfolio, self-employed, or someone with a non-standard income, Foundation lending provides products that support your specific needs. Their flexible approach to lending ensures that even more complex cases are considered, offering opportunities for a broad range of borrowers.
Flexible Lending Criteria
Foundation understands that every borrower is different, which is why they offer flexible lending criteria to accommodate various financial situations. This includes options for limited companies, HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation), and more. Kerr & Watson can help you navigate these options, ensuring you get the best possible terms for your mortgage.
Dedicated Intermediary Support
Foundation lending operates exclusively through intermediaries, ensuring that you receive expert advice and support throughout the mortgage process. By working with Kerr & Watson, you benefit from our in-depth knowledge of Foundation’ products and our ability to provide personalised advice tailored to your financial strategy.
Efficient Service
Foundation lending is committed to providing a streamlined and efficient service, focusing on quick decision-making and clear communication. This ensures that your mortgage application is processed smoothly and without unnecessary delays, helping you secure your property with confidence.
Switching Your Rate with Foundation: What You Need to Know
Foundation offers a straightforward process for switching your mortgage rate. However, this service is available only via a mortgage broker.
By working with Kerr & Watson, you can take advantage of Foundation’ competitive rate switch options without the hassle of complex paperwork or additional fees.
What Does This Mean for You as a Foundation Borrower?
If your current Foundation product is approaching its end, it’s important to consider switching your rate. Locking in a new rate early can protect you from potential increases in interest rates or changes in market conditions. With Foundation, you may be able to benefit from no application fees, no valuation fees, and no legal fees when switching your rate, making the process both cost-effective and efficient.
For buy-to-let investors, securing the right rate is crucial for maximising your return on investment. Foundation offers tailored options that align with your financial goals, whether you’re looking to refinance an existing property or expand your portfolio.
Tailored solutions for landlords of all sizes, including options for single properties, portfolios, and HMOs, with competitive rates and flexible terms.
Foundation offers products specifically designed for limited companies, providing tax-efficient lending options for professional landlords.
Specialist Residential Mortgages
Financing solutions for self-employed individuals, those with complex income streams, and clients with non-standard credit profiles.
Why Contact Kerr & Watson?
Navigating the mortgage market can be complex, especially when dealing with specialist products like those offered by Foundation. At Kerr & Watson, we simplify the process by providing expert advice and personalised service. Our team will work with you to understand your financial goals and match you with the best mortgage products available, ensuring that you make informed decisions every step of the way.
Get in Touch
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to benefit from Foundation lending’ specialist mortgage solutions. Contact Kerr & Watson today to speak with an adviser and explore how we can help you secure the right mortgage for your needs.
The information on this page is not tailored to any individual readers and should not be considered financial advice under any circumstances.
If you are seeking advice about a mortgage, you should speak with a qualified advisor.
Your Mortgage In 3 Easy Steps…
Conversation
Schedule a call to talk to a mortgage advisor about your goals, challenges and vision for your mortgage.
We will take the information gained on the call and carry out some research before sending you a bespoke recommendation.
If you would like an agreement in principle, we’ll also arrange this for you.
Application
We will submit the full application to the mortgage lender, sending them the documents and liaising with the underwriters until the mortgage has been fully offered on the new interest rate.
We will also communicate with you at every stage, from application to completion.
Marie Kitchener was extremely helpful with a difficult , quite complex case. Marie responded to our questions with understanding, great knowledge and we trusted her advice. The solicitor she recommended was brilliant too. Highly recommend Kerr & Watson.
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Lauren Murray
30 June 2026
Marie Kitchen was absolutely fabulous. We had an incredibly complicated case due to living abroad and a few hiccups along the way. Marie was persistent and helped us to resolve these efficiently. Highly recommend.
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Michelle
8 June 2026
My 2nd time dealing with Kerr & Watson and they didn't disappoint, great service, professional and patient - big shout out to Andreea & Stephen
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Sean Turner
2 June 2026
I had an excellent experience with Kerr and Watson and would happily recommend them.
A special mention has to go to James, who provided exceptional service throughout. He was professional, approachable, clear in his communication and always willing to help. His support made a huge difference, and we genuinely couldn’t have done it without him.
I would not hesitate in recommending K&W to any family or friends.
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Jackie
15 May 2026
Brad was quick with getting me the right mortgage insurance prior to a move abroad. Polite and professional. Also liked that he would call to remind me take any actions if I hadn't responded to emails
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Ade Kunle
1 May 2026
I will always recommend Kerr & Watson to friend and family.
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Minzel 33
23 April 2026
This is my second product with Matthew, securing a BTL for my LTD with the best rate on the market. Once again great support, guidance and smooth process. Highly recommended, knowledgeable team. Reliable service.
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Freya B
14 April 2026
The team at Kerr & Watson were brilliant end to end. Daniel explained everything clearly, was always available to answer questions and helped us secure a great mortgage rate. The mortgage broking service they offer is worth every penny and I'd not hesitate to use them again. Thank you!
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Dean Langton
7 April 2026
Excellent service and very nice people.
Would highly recommend using them.
Awards & Recognition
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation
▸ ▾Is Foundation a good mortgage lender?
Foundation Home Loans can be a good mortgage lender for the right borrower or landlord, especially where the case needs a more specialist approach. They may be considered for buy-to-let, limited company buy-to-let, portfolio landlords, complex income, self-employed applicants or cases that do not fit standard high street criteria.
That does not mean Foundation will be the best lender for everyone. The right option depends on your income, deposit, credit history, property type, rental income and long-term plans. Kerr & Watson can compare Foundation with other lenders and explain which route is most suitable.
▸ ▾Do I need a mortgage broker to apply to Foundation Home Loans?
Foundation is designed for the intermediary market, so borrowers and landlords will usually apply through a mortgage broker rather than directly with the lender.
Using a broker can be helpful because specialist lending is often criteria-led. Kerr & Watson can check whether your case fits Foundation’s requirements, compare other lenders and help prepare the application properly before submission.
▸ ▾Can Kerr & Watson help me apply to Foundation Home Loans?
Yes, Kerr & Watson can help with Foundation Home Loans mortgage applications. We can review your income, deposit, credit profile, property, rental income, ownership structure and mortgage plans before deciding whether Foundation is the right lender to approach.
If Foundation is suitable, we can help prepare and submit the application. If another lender is a better fit, we will explain your options clearly and guide you through the most suitable route.
▸ ▾Does Foundation Home Loans offer buy-to-let mortgages?
Yes, Foundation Home Loans offers buy-to-let mortgage options. These may be suitable for landlords buying a rental property, remortgaging an existing buy-to-let or reviewing their current mortgage deal.
Buy-to-let applications are assessed differently from residential mortgages. The lender may look at the rental income, property value, deposit, landlord experience, ownership structure and wider portfolio before deciding how much can be borrowed.
▸ ▾Does Foundation Home Loans offer limited company buy-to-let mortgages?
Yes, Foundation Home Loans may consider limited company buy-to-let mortgages, subject to their criteria and product availability. This can be relevant for landlords buying or remortgaging through a limited company or special purpose vehicle.
Limited company buy-to-let applications can be more detailed than personal buy-to-let cases. Kerr & Watson can help review the company structure, directors, shareholders, rental income, deposit source and lender requirements before the application is submitted.
Before applying, it is worth checking whether your deposit fits Accord’s criteria and whether another lender may offer a more suitable option.
▸ ▾Can portfolio landlords use Foundation Home Loans?
Foundation Home Loans may be suitable for portfolio landlords, depending on the size and strength of the portfolio, rental income, property types and overall borrowing position.
Portfolio landlord cases often need careful preparation because lenders may review both the new property and the wider background portfolio. Kerr & Watson can help organise the information needed and compare Foundation with other portfolio landlord lenders.
▸ ▾Can I get a Foundation Home Loans mortgage if I am self-employed?
Foundation Home Loans may consider self-employed applicants, depending on income evidence, trading history, affordability and the overall strength of the case.
Self-employed mortgage applications often need more preparation than standard employed cases. Kerr & Watson can review your accounts, tax calculations, tax year overviews, bank statements and wider income position before advising whether Foundation is likely to be suitable.
▸ ▾Does Foundation Home Loans accept applicants with bad credit?
Foundation Home Loans may consider some applications where there has been previous credit trouble, but this depends on the type of issue, how recent it was, the amount involved and whether the case meets the lender’s criteria.
Missed payments, defaults, CCJs, debt management plans and other credit issues can affect lender choice. If you have adverse credit, it is best to get mortgage advice before applying so your case is matched with a suitable lender.
▸ ▾How much can I borrow with Foundation Home Loans?
How much you can borrow with Foundation Home Loans depends on the type of mortgage, income, commitments, deposit, property value, credit profile and, for buy-to-let, the rental income.
For buy-to-let mortgages, rental income is often a key part of the affordability assessment. Kerr & Watson can check Foundation’s affordability and rental calculations, then compare them with other lenders to see what may be possible.
▸ ▾Can I remortgage to Foundation Home Loans?
Yes, Foundation Home Loans may be an option if you want to remortgage. This could apply to residential borrowers with more specialist circumstances or landlords refinancing a buy-to-let property.
Before remortgaging, it is worth reviewing the interest rate, product fees, property value, affordability, early repayment charges and your longer-term plans. Kerr & Watson can compare Foundation with other lenders and recommend the most suitable route.
Common Mortgage Lender Questions
▸ ▾How do I know which mortgage lender is right for me?
The right mortgage lender will depend on your income, deposit, credit history, property type, borrowing amount and long-term plans. Some lenders are better suited to straightforward residential mortgages, while others specialise in buy-to-let, complex income, adverse credit, commercial property or larger loans. A mortgage adviser can compare lenders and help identify which option may be most suitable for your circumstances.
▸ ▾Do all mortgage lenders use the same criteria?
No. Every mortgage lender has its own lending criteria, affordability model, credit scoring system, property requirements and risk appetite. This means one lender may decline an application that another lender is comfortable considering. Lender selection is an important part of the mortgage process.
▸ ▾Why use a mortgage broker instead of applying directly to a lender?
A mortgage broker can help compare lenders, check criteria before you apply and explain which options may be suitable for your circumstances. This can be especially useful if you are self-employed, have complex income, need a buy-to-let mortgage, have previous credit issues or are unsure which lender is likely to accept your application.
▸ ▾Can a whole-of-market mortgage broker access more lenders?
A whole-of-market mortgage broker can review a wide range of lenders and products, including high street banks, building societies, specialist lenders and intermediary-only lenders. This can give you a broader view of your options than approaching one lender directly.
▸ ▾What is an intermediary-only mortgage lender?
An intermediary-only lender is a lender that usually accepts applications through mortgage brokers rather than directly from customers. These lenders may offer products or criteria that are not available by applying directly online or through a branch. A mortgage broker can check whether an intermediary-only lender may be suitable for your case.
▸ ▾Does the lowest mortgage rate always mean the best lender?
Not always. The lowest rate may look attractive, but it is not automatically the best option. You also need to consider lender fees, affordability, criteria, product terms, early repayment charges, valuation requirements, service levels and whether the lender is likely to approve your application.
Yes. Mortgage lenders use different affordability calculators and assumptions. They may treat income, bonuses, commission, overtime, self-employed income, pension income, benefits, debts and childcare costs differently. This means the amount you can borrow may vary significantly from one lender to another.
▸ ▾Can a mortgage lender decline me even if I can afford the mortgage?
Yes. Mortgage lenders do not assess affordability alone. They may also review your credit history, employment type, income structure, deposit source, property type, loan-to-value, age, commitments and overall risk profile. Even if the monthly payment seems affordable, a lender may still decline the case if it does not meet their criteria.
▸ ▾If one lender declines me, can another lender still approve me?
Yes. A decline from one lender does not necessarily mean you cannot get a mortgage. Lenders assess applications differently, so another lender may take a more suitable view of your income, credit history, property or deposit. It is important to understand why the application was declined before approaching another lender.
▸ ▾Do lenders treat self-employed income differently?
Yes. Some lenders use the latest year’s income, while others average the last two years or assess salary and dividends for limited company directors. Some lenders may also consider retained profit, contractor income or more complex trading structures. Choosing the right lender can make a significant difference for self-employed applicants.
▸ ▾Do mortgage lenders accept bad credit?
Some lenders may consider applicants with bad credit, depending on the type, age and severity of the credit issue. Missed payments, defaults, CCJs, debt management plans, IVAs and previous arrears are all assessed differently by different lenders. A specialist lender may be more suitable if you have historic credit problems.
▸ ▾Can Kerr & Watson help me choose between mortgage lenders?
Yes. Kerr & Watson can review your circumstances, compare suitable lenders and explain which options may be available. We can help with residential mortgages, buy-to-let mortgages, specialist lending, complex income, adverse credit, bridging, commercial finance and later life lending, depending on your needs.
