K-hub & Service Levels

Following broker feedback we’ve updated our green mortgage initiative to now offer lower rates on selected products. It is also now available to your remortgaging clients as well as purchase clients.

To be eligible for the eKo reward, the property needs an energy efficiency rating of A or B for residential, and your client needs to meet our Select credit criteria. For your landlord clients, the property needs an energy efficiency rating of A, B or C and they need to meet our Prime credit criteria.

We’re thrilled to announce that James Burwood has been promoted to National Account Manager, working with our new Head of National Accounts, Helen Cawthra.

James has over a decade of experience as a BDM, and is keen to apply his relationship skills to his new role.

Working together, James and Helen will focus on driving growth across our key accounts, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that Kensington continues to deliver exceptional service for our customers.

As quoted by Helen “Investing in our talent is a key part of Kensington’s growth strategy, and James’s appointment reflects that commitment.”

We’ve introduced a series of pricing and product enhancements to support your landlord clients. Key updates include:

• Rate reductions of up to 25bps
Includes Prime and Core 2 and 5 year fixed rates
• 2 year fixed now from 2.99% (75% LTV, 5% fee)
• 5 year fixed now from 4.19% (75% LTV, 5% fee)
• £1,499 fee option is now available on Core
• All BTL products offer a free valuation
  Includes Prime and Core, HMO/MUBs and Limited Company

Rates cut by up to 0.24% across our Residential Select range

• Includes 2 and 5 year fixed rates at 80%, 85%, 90% and 95% LTV
• Also available on Hero, Professional, eKo and Own New Rate Reducer
• Right to Buy also reduced by 0.50% (2 year fixed rate) and 0.15% (5 year fixed rate)

As a reminder, all 95% LTV products are for purchase only and all include a free valuation.

From 18th November, your landlord clients are permitted to hold a total of 20 mortgaged properties, with a maximum total borrowing limit of £5m (including the subject property coming to Kensington). This applies to mortgages on buy to let properties that are owned solely, jointly by applicants or through Limited Companies. Our maximum lending limit to an individual (or joint applicants) is £2m combined across Residential and Buy to Let mortgages (inclusive of fees). We apply a total loan to value cap at 80% across a customer’s total portfolio (regardless of size).

We now require landlords to complete a portfolio summary. We will need either:

• Personal Portfolio summary or Limited Company Portfolio summary this needs to explain who is applying for our mortgage eg. Jane Brown (personal) or Jane Brown Ltd (limited company)
• If your client has a combination of other BTL properties in Other Entities, we will require an Other Entity Portfolio Summary

More information on Portfolio landlords.

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new 2 year BTL Prime mortgage which will complement our existing 5 year product and offer you more ways to help your clients find the right products for their circumstances.

Plus, from today, all BTL products (including HMO/MUB) now include a free valuation.

• Available up to 75% LTV
• Assessed at Higher of Initial payrate plus 2%, or 5.5%
• Minimum property value requirement of £150,000
• Available to existing and first-time landlords including limited company and HMO/MUB

View the BTL product guide for all available rates.

BTL product Guide

From 18th November, your landlord clients will be permitted to hold a total of 20 mortgaged properties, with a maximum total borrowing limit of £5m (including the subject property coming to Kensington).

This applies to mortgages on buy to let properties that are owned solely, jointly by applicants or through Limited Companies.

Please note, to secure a product on the existing exposure limits, the full application must be submitted by 5pm on Monday 17th November.

Visit our FAQ page for the detail.

Helen, who joined us in early October, brings 24 years of financial services experience. She previously led intermediary partnerships at Vida Homeloans and spent over a decade at Lloyds Banking Group as a Business Development Manager.

Her expertise in managing National Accounts, including with Leeds Building Society and Accord Mortgages, makes her a fantastic addition to our team.

Rate reductions across our Residential Select range, our product range for those who don't quite fit the high street.

• 65% / 75% LTV rates starting from 5.29%
• 90% LTV rates starting from 6.09%
• 95% LTV rates starting from 6.44%

Plus new lower rates for your landlord clients. All rates are available to individuals and limited companies with identical pricing and fees.

Buy to Let Core - affordability bespoke by product. New rates include:

• 70% LTV, 2 year fixed, 3.19%, 5% fee and free valuation
• 75% LTV, 5 year fixed, 4.79%, 3% fee and free valuation
• 80% LTV, 5 year fixed, 5.64%, 2% fee

Buy to Let Prime - affordability based on higher of Initial payrate or 5%. New rates from:

• 75% LTV, 5 year fixed, 4.39%, 5% fee

For all residential and BTL customers, there’s no credit scoring or upfront application fees, with every case assigned a dedicated underwriter from application through to completion.