Financing

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Buy-to-let reflects continuing stability of lending portfolio

By Andrew Heywood, Financial Times
Published: Feb 22, 2007

From Mr Andrew Heywood.

Sir, Your article "Number of buy-to-let mortgages rises 30-fold in past decade" (February 15) suggests that latest buy-to-let data "show an almost frenzied appetite from new landlords" and "could raise fears that Britain is in the grip of a residential property investment bubble".

The Lease Option Company specialises in property lease options designed specifically for first time buyers. A lease option allows the holder to rent a particular property with the right to buy it in the future at a price agreed today.

Currently the Lease Option Company operates only in London, the market where it is hardest for first time buyers to get onto the first rung of the property ladder, but if the concept is a success in the capital it is likely that it will be applied more widely in the South East.