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Mortgages
Molo is a fully digital buy-to-let lender for landlords and property investors. Here's an independent look at its products, fees, eligibility criteria, and how it compares with other specialist lenders.
Molo is a fully digital, specialist buy-to-let lender, best suited to landlords who are comfortable managing their mortgage online and don't need phone support. It's rated 4.2 out of 5 in our review of its rates and fees, product range, eligibility, customer service, and process speed.
Molo works best for tech-savvy landlords, limited company investors, and portfolio landlords buying in England or Wales. If you need a residential mortgage, have a property in Scotland or Northern Ireland, or prefer speaking to someone on the phone, another lender is likely to be a better fit.
Molo mortgages are provided by Molo Tech Ltd, which launched in November 2018 as the UK's first mortgage lender to offer a fully digital application process, with a stated aim of speeding up the weeks-long wait typical of high-street banks.
The company is headquartered in London and operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ColCap Financial UK Limited, an Australian non-bank lender that took an 80% stake in Molo in February 2023 and acquired the remaining 20% in August 2024.
Since launch, Molo has processed over £1.7 billion in mortgage applications and completed more than £500 million in mortgages. In 2024, the lender completed its first £300 million buy-to-let securitisation, known as Molossus BTL 2024-1.
Molo is one of a small number of fully digital specialist buy-to-let lenders in the UK market. While mainstream banks dominate residential lending, Molo competes directly with specialist buy-to-let lenders including Paragon Bank, Fleet Mortgages, and The Mortgage Lender.
The company differentiates itself through:
Molo works primarily through mortgage intermediaries but also accepts direct applications for standard UK buy-to-let products.
Molo Tech Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The company is registered in England and Wales, with its registered office in London.
As a Financial Conduct Authority-regulated lender, Molo must treat customers fairly, carry out proper affordability assessments, provide clear information about products and fees, and maintain robust complaints handling procedures.
Before looking at Molo's specific products, it's worth understanding how buy-to-let mortgages work, particularly if you're new to property investment.
A buy-to-let mortgage is designed specifically for properties you intend to rent out, rather than live in. They differ from residential mortgages in several important ways.
Affordability assessment: instead of basing borrowing on your personal income, buy-to-let lenders primarily assess the expected rental income from the property. Molo uses an interest coverage ratio, meaning the rental income needs to exceed the monthly mortgage payment by a set margin when tested at a stressed interest rate, to check the mortgage would remain affordable if rates rose.
Higher deposits required: buy-to-let mortgages typically need larger deposits than residential mortgages. Molo requires a minimum 20% deposit for standard buy-to-let products, compared with 5-10% for many residential mortgages.
Interest-only payments: most buy-to-let mortgages are interest-only, meaning your monthly payments only cover the interest charged, not the capital you've borrowed. You'll need to repay the full loan amount at the end of the term, usually by selling the property or refinancing.
Tax implications: mortgage interest on rental properties is no longer fully tax-deductible against rental income. Instead, landlords receive a tax credit on interest payments. This particularly affects higher-rate taxpayers and has made limited company ownership more attractive for some investors.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it.
The interest coverage ratio catches a lot of applicants by surprise. Even if a lender's headline deposit requirement is 20%, a property with a lower rental yield can mean you need to put down more to pass the affordability stress test. It's worth speaking to an advisor before you make an offer on a property, so you know what deposit you'll realistically need.
Buy-to-let mortgages
Every landlord's circumstances are different. Speak to an advisor to see how Molo compares with other specialist buy-to-let lenders for your situation.
Molo offers a focused range of buy-to-let mortgage products, split into standard buy-to-let, specialist property types, and non-UK resident or expat lending.
Molo's core product range covers single self-contained rental properties for UK residents, available as two-year and five-year fixed rates, up to 80% loan-to-value. These products are available to both individual landlords and limited company (SPV) borrowers.
At the end of the fixed period, the mortgage moves to Molo's standard variable rate, which tracks the Bank of England base rate plus a set margin. Speak to an advisor for current rates and the reversion structure, as these change frequently.
Molo also caters to a range of specialist property types:
One notable advantage: Molo doesn't charge a premium for larger HMO or MUFB properties (6+ rooms or units), unlike many competitors.
Molo is one of a small number of digital lenders actively targeting overseas investors, lending up to 85% loan-to-value to UK expats and non-UK residents in a range of approved countries, including the EU, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UAE.
These products allow foreign nationals to purchase UK investment property without needing a UK credit footprint or bank account, which is a genuine advantage for international investors.
Molo offers several fee tiers, letting you choose between a lower fee with a standard rate, or a higher fee in exchange for a lower rate.
As a rough example, on a £200,000 loan, a 7% product fee would come to £14,000, compared with £3,000 for a 1.5% fee. Whether the lower rate is worth the higher fee depends on how long you plan to hold the mortgage and the rate difference on offer at the time, so it's worth asking an advisor to run the numbers for your circumstances.
Understanding the full cost picture matters when comparing lenders. Here's an overview of Molo's fee structure.
Molo arranges valuations through its partner, VAS, and you'll typically receive a few quotes from local surveyors to choose from. For many remortgages and standard purchases, Molo uses automated desktop valuations at no cost, which can speed up the process.
If you're struggling to keep up with mortgage payments, speak to Molo directly or contact MoneyHelper for free, independent guidance. You can reach MoneyHelper at moneyhelper.org.uk or by calling 0800 138 7777.
Molo's eligibility criteria are relatively flexible compared with high-street lenders, but you'll still need to meet specific requirements.
Molo is unusual in having no minimum personal income requirement, as affordability is assessed primarily on the rental income the property is expected to generate.
Molo doesn't lend on properties in Scotland or Northern Ireland, non-standard construction, self-build properties, properties requiring structural work, or, in most cases, properties with sitting tenants.
For limited company (SPV) lending, Molo has the following requirements:
Molo accepts portfolio landlords, meaning those with four or more mortgaged buy-to-let properties. Up to 50 mortgaged buy-to-let properties are accepted, subject to portfolio stress testing and a background portfolio assessment. There's no minimum portfolio value.
Molo's fully digital process is designed for speed and convenience from application through to completion.
Typical timelines vary by case complexity:
How it works
Get a decision in principle
Use Molo's online eligibility checker with your personal details, income information, and property details. Molo runs a soft credit check that won't affect your credit score, and approved applicants get a decision in principle within minutes.
Complete the full application
Upload proof of identity, proof of address, income evidence, and bank statements. Limited company applicants also need incorporation documents and director ID verification. Molo uses Open Banking to verify income instantly where possible.
Underwriting and valuation
Molo's automated system reviews straightforward cases within 24 hours, while more complex applications go to a human underwriter within 48 to 72 hours. Many properties are valued using an automated desktop valuation rather than a physical survey.
Offer and completion
Your mortgage offer is valid for 6 months. From here, you'll instruct solicitors, complete legal checks and searches, then exchange and complete.
Molo's digital-first approach means customer service works differently to traditional lenders.
Molo doesn't offer traditional phone support for direct applicants. All communication happens through live chat, email, or your online account. For complex cases, working through a mortgage broker is recommended.
Based on customer reviews and industry feedback, common strengths include:
Common weaknesses reported include:
Molo maintains an "Excellent" rating on Trustpilot.
Common praise focuses on the speed of the digital platform, the helpfulness of live chat support, a smooth application process, and clear communication throughout. Common criticisms include occasional delays on complex cases, document requests that can feel excessive for some expat applications, and limited communication channels.
Molo's fully digital platform delivers decisions in minutes rather than weeks. For straightforward buy-to-let applications, you can receive a mortgage offer within 24 hours, compared with 2-4 weeks at many traditional lenders. This suits investors who need to move quickly on a property purchase, or those refinancing before a rate deadline.
Molo consistently ranks among the more competitively priced specialist buy-to-let lenders, and has adjusted its rates a number of times in recent years. This particularly benefits rate-conscious landlords, especially those with larger portfolios where small differences in cost can add up.
Molo was built with SPV lending in mind. It accepts day-one companies, has clear SIC code requirements, and understands the tax benefits driving limited company ownership. This suits landlords building portfolios through limited companies for tax efficiency, particularly higher-rate taxpayers.
Unlike many specialist lenders that require 12-24 months of landlord experience, Molo accepts first-time landlords. Combined with no minimum income requirement, this opens property investment to newcomers with a good deposit but limited landlord track record.
Molo is one of a small number of digital lenders actively serving expats and non-UK residents, lending up to 85% loan-to-value for overseas investors without requiring UK credit history. This fills a genuine gap for British expats maintaining UK property portfolios and international investors seeking UK property exposure.
Molo previously offered residential mortgages but currently focuses exclusively on buy-to-let. If you need to finance a home to live in, you'll need to look elsewhere.
Molo only lends on properties in England and Wales, which rules it out for Scottish and Northern Irish investors, and limits options for portfolio landlords with holdings across the UK.
The digital-first model means there's no phone support for direct applicants. If you prefer speaking to someone on the phone, or have complex questions that need detailed discussion, this can be frustrating.
Molo's lowest rates come with product fees of up to 7% of the loan amount. On a £200,000 mortgage, that's £14,000 in fees, which can outweigh the rate savings unless you're holding the property long-term.
Choose Molo if: you want the fastest possible process, or you're a non-UK resident investor.
Choose Paragon if: you have Scottish properties, want a larger portfolio facility, or prefer speaking to someone on the phone.
Choose Molo if: you want digital convenience, a higher loan-to-value, or international lending options.
Choose Fleet if: you'd prefer a tracker product to take advantage of potential rate cuts, or want dedicated broker support throughout.
Choose Molo if: you have clean credit, want speed, and are financing a smaller HMO.
Choose The Mortgage Lender if: you have credit issues, a larger HMO, or need more flexible underwriting.
Our verdict
Tech-savvy landlords: if you're comfortable managing applications online and prefer live chat to phone calls, Molo's digital experience should feel straightforward.
First-time landlords: the lack of a minimum landlord experience requirement, combined with first-time landlord acceptance, makes Molo accessible to new investors.
Limited company investors: Molo's expertise in SPV lending, day-one company acceptance, and clear criteria make it a strong option for tax-efficient portfolio building.
Portfolio landlords: accepting up to 50 mortgaged properties and offering competitive pricing at scale, Molo suits expanding portfolios.
International investors: British expats and non-UK residents have limited options elsewhere, and Molo actively serves this market with dedicated products and higher loan-to-value limits.
Those who prefer phone support: if you'd rather discuss your mortgage over the phone, Molo's chat-only approach may be frustrating. Consider a lender like Paragon, or apply through a broker.
Scottish or Northern Irish investors: with lending restricted to England and Wales, Molo can't help if your property is in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Homebuyers: Molo only offers buy-to-let mortgages. If you're buying a home to live in, you'll need a residential lender.
Those with significant adverse credit: while Molo considers some credit issues, it isn't a specialist adverse credit lender. A lender such as The Mortgage Lender or Pepper Money may be a better fit for complex credit situations.
Molo could suit you if:
It's worth considering alternatives if:
Molo has carved out a niche as one of the UK's fastest and most digital-focused buy-to-let lenders. For landlords who value speed and online convenience, there's little else quite like it in the market.
Molo excels at: delivering fast, competitively priced buy-to-let mortgages through a genuinely digital experience. If you're a landlord comfortable with online applications and want decisions in hours rather than weeks, Molo is worth adding to your shortlist.
Molo could improve: by expanding geographic coverage to Scotland and Northern Ireland, reintroducing residential mortgages, and offering a phone support option for customers who'd prefer it.
For the right borrower, a tech-savvy landlord investing in England or Wales, Molo offers a compelling combination of competitive pricing, fast processing, and modern convenience. It isn't for everyone, but for its target market, it's one of the stronger options available.
We're a broker, not a lender, which means we can access Molo's products alongside a wide range of other buy-to-let providers to find the right fit for your situation. Access expert advice with no pressure to proceed, including support navigating complex applications such as expat, limited company, or portfolio cases, and a comparison of rates and total costs across multiple providers.
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Common questions
Yes. Molo Tech Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ColCap Financial UK Limited, an established Australian mortgage lender.
Molo launched in November 2018 as the UK's first fully digital mortgage lender. The company has since processed over £1.7 billion in mortgage applications and completed more than £500 million in mortgages.
No. Molo is a non-bank lender, meaning it doesn't offer savings accounts, current accounts, or other banking services. It focuses exclusively on mortgage lending, funded through institutional investors and securitisation.
You can apply directly through Molo's website or through a mortgage broker. For standard UK buy-to-let applications, applying directly is straightforward. For expat, non-resident, or more complex cases, using a broker is recommended.
For straightforward applications, you can receive a decision in principle within minutes and a formal mortgage offer within 24 to 48 hours. More complex cases may take 3 to 7 days for full underwriting.
Yes, but the initial eligibility check is a soft search that doesn't affect your credit score. A full credit check only happens once you proceed with a formal application.
Typically proof of identity, proof of address, income evidence, and property details. Limited company applications also need incorporation documents. Molo uses Open Banking for instant verification where possible.
Molo doesn't publish a minimum credit score. Applications are assessed individually, and the lender generally prefers a clean credit history. Minor historical issues may be considered, but significant recent adverse credit is likely to result in a decline.
Yes. Unlike many specialist buy-to-let lenders, Molo accepts first-time landlords without requiring previous landlord experience or existing property ownership.
No. Molo currently only offers buy-to-let mortgages. For a residential mortgage on a home you'll live in, you'll need a different lender.
Yes. Molo actively lends to limited company (SPV) borrowers. Requirements include being a property investment SPV with an approved SIC code, a maximum of 4 directors or shareholders, and personal guarantees from all directors.
Molo is generally considered one of the more competitively priced specialist buy-to-let lenders, though its lowest rates come with higher product fees. Rates change frequently, so speak to an advisor for current figures.
Key fees include an application fee, a product fee of between 1.5% and 7% of the loan amount, and a valuation fee quoted individually. There are no ongoing account management fees.
Yes. Molo allows you to add the product fee to your mortgage amount rather than paying it upfront. Be aware this increases your total borrowing and the interest you'll pay over time.
Yes, up to 10% of the outstanding balance per year without an early repayment charge. Overpayments above this limit may trigger a charge depending on your product terms.
Your mortgage moves to Molo's standard variable rate, which tracks the Bank of England base rate plus a set margin. Molo will contact you before your fixed rate ends to discuss product transfer options.
Yes. Molo mortgages are portable, subject to meeting its criteria at the time of the new application. This can help you avoid an early repayment charge when moving investment properties.
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