Cashback Remortgages · Buy-to-let
Budgeting for Buy-to-Let Void Periods
A void period is time when a rental property is empty and earning no rent, but the mortgage and costs continue. Budgeting for voids protects your cash flow.
Why voids matter
Even a well-let property can have gaps between tenancies or during repairs. Because the mortgage still has to be paid, relying on 100% occupancy is risky.
A lender's stress test assumes a margin, but that is not a cash-flow plan.
How to budget
Keep a reserve covering several months of mortgage and running costs, and factor realistic voids into your figures. This is part of treating a let as a business, not a guaranteed income.
Sources and further reading
General mortgage information, not a personal recommendation. Lender criteria and scheme rules can change. Ask an adviser about your circumstances and a solicitor or tax adviser about legal or tax questions. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Most buy-to-let mortgages are not regulated by the FCA.
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