Letting agents speak to people about property every day. Landlords discuss purchases, refinancing and future plans. Tenants talk about wanting to buy their first home. Vendors need confidence that prospective buyers can proceed, while investors ask whether a particular property is likely to be suitable for mortgage finance.
These conversations create an opportunity for agents to provide a more complete service.
That does not mean the agent should attempt to provide mortgage advice. Instead, the agent can recognise when a client may need help and introduce them to NetRent Mortgage Solutions, where the mortgage enquiry can be handled by appropriately qualified professionals through DNA Financial Solutions.
A well-managed mortgage introduction can help the client, strengthen the agent’s relationship with them and potentially create an additional income stream for the agency.
Mortgage conversations are already happening
An agent does not need to manufacture a reason to mention mortgages. The relevant conversations naturally arise throughout the property journey.
A landlord may say:
- “My mortgage deal ends later this year.”
- “I am thinking about buying another rental property.”
- “I want to release money for refurbishment.”
- “My existing lender will not finance this property.”
- “I am considering buying through a limited company.”
- “The rent no longer supports the borrowing I expected.”
A tenant may mention that they are saving for a deposit, while a prospective buyer may be uncertain about how much they can borrow.
These are not invitations for the agent to recommend a mortgage. They are signals that the client could benefit from a conversation with a mortgage professional.
Improve the service offered to landlords
Landlords increasingly expect their letting agent to understand the commercial pressures affecting rental property.
Mortgage costs can influence whether a landlord purchases, retains, improves or sells a property. A remortgage decision can affect cash flow, rent-setting considerations and the money available for repairs and investment.
An agent who can connect a landlord with suitable mortgage support is providing something valuable beyond routine property management.
This can be particularly helpful when a landlord is:
- Approaching the end of a fixed mortgage rate.
- Purchasing another rental property.
- Reviewing several mortgage expiry dates.
- Considering an HMO or multi-let property.
- Buying at auction.
- Planning refurbishment or development work.
- Experiencing difficulty with lender criteria.
- Reviewing borrowing held personally or through a company.
The earlier the introduction is made, the more time the landlord has to prepare documents, assess affordability and consider the available routes.
Help tenants begin the journey towards homeownership
A good tenant may eventually decide to buy a home. Although that could mean losing a tenant, helping them obtain appropriate mortgage support can still strengthen the agent’s reputation.
A tenant who receives a helpful introduction may later return as a buyer, seller, landlord or source of recommendations.
Many tenants do not know whether homeownership is realistic. They may be unsure about deposits, affordability, credit history or the evidence a lender will require.
The agent should not attempt to answer these questions in detail. A simple introduction allows a mortgage professional to assess the tenant’s individual circumstances and explain what preparation may be needed.
Even when the tenant is not ready to buy immediately, early guidance can give them a clearer objective.
Support property sales and purchases
Mortgage uncertainty can slow a property transaction.
A buyer may view properties before understanding their realistic budget. A landlord may make an offer without knowing whether the rent will meet a lender’s stress test. An auction buyer may underestimate the time required to arrange finance.
Introducing the client at an earlier stage can help identify potential problems before they disrupt a transaction.
For estate and letting agents offering sales services, this can contribute to better-qualified buyers and more realistic expectations. It cannot guarantee that a mortgage will be approved, but it can help ensure that the financial conversation has begun.
Know where the boundary lies
Mortgage advice and certain mortgage-arranging activities are regulated. Letting agents should therefore be clear about the difference between recognising a need, making an introduction and providing advice.
An agent can explain that mortgage support is available and, with the client’s permission, pass their details to the appropriate contact.
The agent should not:
- Recommend a particular lender or mortgage.
- Tell the client which product is most suitable.
- Guarantee that an application will be successful.
- Estimate borrowing without an appropriate assessment.
- Interpret lender criteria as though providing advice.
- Make unsupported claims about rates or savings.
The mortgage adviser should handle the fact-find, affordability assessment, product research, recommendation and application.
Agents should also follow the agreed referral process, use approved marketing material, obtain the client’s consent and handle personal information appropriately.
Keep the introduction simple
A referral arrangement should not create unnecessary work for an already busy agency.
The process can be straightforward:
- The agent identifies that the client may need mortgage or finance support.
- The agent explains that NetRent Mortgage Solutions can arrange for the enquiry to be considered.
- The client agrees to be contacted or receives the appropriate contact details.
- NetRent passes the enquiry into the agreed professional mortgage process with DNA Financial Solutions.
- Qualified professionals deal with the client’s circumstances, research and application.
The agent remains focused on property, while the mortgage professionals focus on finance.
Where appropriate and permitted, the agent can be kept informed of relevant progress without receiving confidential financial information.
Create an additional service without building a mortgage department
Developing an internal mortgage operation would require expertise, systems, regulatory responsibilities and continuing management.
Working with NetRent provides agents with a route to mortgage support without having to build that infrastructure themselves.
It can allow an agency to extend its service across:
- Buy-to-let mortgages and remortgages.
- Residential purchases and remortgages.
- First-time buyer mortgages.
- Limited company borrowing.
- HMO and multi-let finance.
- Bridging and auction finance.
- Commercial and semi-commercial property.
- Property development.
- Applicants with more complex circumstances.
The availability of these services means that an agent does not need to decide whether a case is straightforward enough to refer. The client’s circumstances can be considered by professionals with access to the appropriate mortgage and finance market.
Why work with NetRent Mortgage Solutions?
NetRent has worked with landlords, letting agents, local authorities and tenants throughout the UK since 2001. We understand that agents need responsive service, clear communication and a referral process that does not create unnecessary administration.
Through our relationship with DNA Financial Solutions, clients can access independent mortgage and finance advice covering standard and specialist requirements.
The purpose of the partnership is to help agents provide a wider service to landlords, tenants, vendors and buyers while allowing the mortgage assessment and advice to be handled by the appropriate professionals.
If you are a letting or estate agent interested in working with NetRent—or you have a client who may need mortgage support—call 01352 721300 or email mortgages@netrent.co.uk.
NetRent does not provide legal advice. The content above represents our understanding of mortgage-market practice and property law as at 14 August 2026. Agents should obtain appropriate compliance and legal guidance for their business and follow the agreed referral process. Mortgage products, rates and lender criteria can change without notice.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.