Compare Mortgage Rates from Keystone Against the Market

About Keystone Property Finance

Keystone launched as a lender in its own right in 2018, having previously operated as a funding line/brand since 2012. Their philosophy is built on manual underwriting.

Unlike mainstream banks that rely heavily on automated credit scoring, Keystone employs human underwriters to assess every application. This allows them to lend on deals that look "messy" to a computer, such as a landlord with a large portfolio, a property that needs refurbishment, or a complex ownership structure.

Mortgage & Finance Products

Keystone’s product range is strictly for property investors in England and Wales. They do not offer residential mortgages for you to buy your own home.

• Standard Buy-to-Let:

  • For landlords buying or remortgaging standard houses and flats

  • Limited Companies: A core strength. They lend to SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles) and Trading Limited Companies

• Specialist Buy-to-Let:

  • HMOs: Finance for Houses in Multiple Occupation up to 15 occupants

  • Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks (MUFBs): Finance for blocks of flats on a single title up to 15 units

  • Expats:They actively lend to UK nationals living and working abroad

• Green Mortgages:

  • Keystone was an early pioneer of Green Mortgages. They offer discounted interest rates for properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A, B, or C

  • This applies to both standard properties and specialist assets like HMOs.

• Refurbishment:

  • Refurb-to-Let: A product designed to allow landlords to buy a property, refurbish it, and then switch onto a standard long-term mortgage once the work is done and the value has increased

• Product Transfers:

  • For existing customers coming to the end of their fixed rate, Keystone offers a streamlined switching process (via brokers) to avoid reverting to the variable rate

Pros and Cons of Keystone Property Finance

Here is a balanced overview of choosing Keystone for your property finance:

Pros:

• Green Incentives: If you have an energy-efficient portfolio (EPC A-C), their Green Mortgage range offers genuine savings on interest rates compared to their core range

• Complex Case Experts: They are comfortable with large portfolios, HMOs, flats above shops, and complex corporate structures

• Manual Underwriting: You get a commercial decision from a human expert

• Expat Friendly: They are a strong option for British expats looking to invest in the UK market

Cons:

• Intermediary-Only: You cannot apply directly. You must use a mortgage broker to access their products

• Cost: As a specialist lender, their interest rates and arrangement fees are generally higher than high street lenders

• No Residential: If you want to buy a house to live in, Keystone cannot help you

Customer Service and Reviews

Keystone Property Finance generally receives positive feedback from the broker community and borrowers.

• Trustpilot: They typically hold a rating of around 4.0 - 4.5 out of 5. Reviews frequently praise specific Business Development Managers (BDMs) and underwriters for their helpfulness and willingness to "find a way" to make a deal work.

• Service: Brokers often cite them as a reliable lender for complex cases, noting that while the manual process can sometimes be more thorough, the outcome is more reliable for difficult deals.

How to Apply

Keystone is an intermediary-only lender. You cannot apply for a mortgage directly with them.

Through a Broker: You must use an independent mortgage broker. It is highly recommended to use one who specialises in Buy-to-Let or commercial finance, like ourselves. If you would like us to act as an intermediary on your behalf with Keystone Mortgages or any other lender, get started to speak to one of our helpful specialists.