Foundation has launched two limited-edition buy-to-let mortgages at 75 percent loan to value, including a green deal at 4.34 percent for properties with an EPC rating of A to C and a standard option at 4.44 percent. Both sit in the lender’s F1 range for borrowers with an almost clean credit history and come with a 4 percent fee, free standard valuation and no application fee.
The pricing puts Foundation among the sharper-looking specialist lenders on headline rate alone, but the structure matters as much as the pay rate. A 4 percent fee is unusually heavy for many smaller landlords, which means the cheapest-looking deal will not automatically be the cheapest once total cost is worked through.
For landlords, the new range is another sign that specialist buy-to-let pricing is loosening again after weeks of stop-start repricing. It also shows lenders are still using green pricing and fee tweaks to compete for remortgage business, rather than relying only on broad cuts across full ranges.
Foundation targets remortgage landlords with lower headline rates
The two products are aimed at landlords borrowing up to 75 percent LTV through Foundation’s F1 line. The standard version is priced at 4.44 percent, while the green version is set 0.10 points lower at 4.34 percent for homes already carrying an EPC grade between A and C.
Foundation said the deals include a free standard valuation and no application fee, reducing some upfront costs for borrowers. Brokers and landlords will still need to weigh that against the 4 percent product fee, especially on smaller loans where fees can quickly wipe out the benefit of a lower rate. Landlords comparing the new products with wider buy-to-let rate cuts elsewhere in the market may find the headline grabs attention faster than the total bill.
Grant Hendry, director of sales at Foundation, said recent market conditions had created room for the lender to bring more competitive limited-edition products to market. He said landlords were increasingly focused on overall costs and product flexibility, not just the initial rate.
The 4 percent fee is the real test
That is where the story becomes more selective than the headline suggests. On larger remortgages, a sharper rate can still support monthly cash flow and stress testing. On smaller balances, though, a 4 percent fee can make the deal far less compelling than a rival product carrying a higher rate but a much lower fee.
This follows Landlord Knowledge’s April report on Foundation’s earlier limited-edition launch across standard, HMO and holiday let lending, which showed the lender using selective repricing rather than a broad market reset. The latest move is narrower, but the direction is the same: lenders still want landlord business, though they are picking their moments and target borrowers carefully.
There is also a practical green angle. The 0.10-point discount for EPC A-C properties is useful, but it is not wide enough on its own to justify upgrade spending. For many landlords, the green pricing will matter only if the property already meets the threshold or needs minimal work to get there. Foundation’s current buy-to-let product guide shows how tightly lenders are now segmenting rates by property type, borrower profile and EPC status.
Why this matters for landlord refinancing
The bigger picture is that specialist lenders are still competing, but in a more tactical way than earlier in the year. Instead of across-the-board reductions, landlords are seeing short-run offers, targeted green discounts and fee structures that reward certain loan sizes more than others. That makes comparison harder, not easier.
Landlords refinancing this summer may still find better pricing than they expected a few months ago. But this latest Foundation launch is also a reminder that a low rate on its own says very little about value. In this market, the landlords most likely to benefit are those remortgaging larger balances, already holding EPC-compliant stock and moving quickly when limited-edition windows open.
What this means for landlords
- If you’re remortgaging a larger loan: the new Foundation rates may improve cash flow and stress-test results despite the heavy fee.
- If you’re borrowing less: check the full cost carefully, because a 4 percent fee can erase the benefit of a lower headline rate.
- Watch for: lenders using small green discounts to target EPC A-C properties rather than cutting rates across full ranges.
- Bottom line: Foundation’s new pricing is competitive for some landlords, but it is not a blanket market bargain.
Editor’s view
Foundation has produced a rate headline that will travel quickly, but landlords should keep their eye on the fee line. The deal looks strongest for larger, cleaner remortgage cases, not for every borrower tempted by a sub-4.5 percent number.
Author: Editorial Team – UK landlord & buy-to-let news, policy, and finance
Published: 1 June 2026
Sources: Foundation, Foundation buy-to-let product guide
Related reading: Foundation launches BTL deals for HMOs and holiday lets
