Of course, the rumours of the return have been rumbling like thunder throughout the summer and so I am pleased that Mortgages for Business has been chosen to become part of the panel of brokers able to offer their products.

Our work with them behind-the-scenes has paid off. Over the last 18 months or so we have been assisting in the redesign of loan stance and credit criteria to help ensure a selection of competitive products that suit the funding requirements of professional property investors.

Whilst their credit criteria has tightened considerably, it does mean more choice in the buy-to-let market for professional landlords particularly with HMOs, multi-unit blocks and limited companies.

The announcement has certainly kicked off a bit of competition between lenders with Coventry waiving the arrangement fee on a three-year fixed rate at 4.49% (subject to a small booking fee of £250); and Aldermore Mortgages offering a four-year fixed rate of 5.99% with a flat arrangement fee of £1,495, which certainly represents excellent value for larger loan amounts.

Paragon’s return is good news too, particularly in the wake of Lloyds Banking Group’s recent announcements. From now on all brokers can only access LBG buy-to-let lending through BM Solutions, so goodbye C&G and Lloyds TSB Scotland!

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In addition to this, BM Solutions has introduced tighter restrictions for property investors, who will only be offered a maximum of three mortgages with a total value of up to £2 million. This figure is down from nine properties or total portfolio value of £3 million. So it’s not good news for professional landlords with large portfolios who will now have to go elsewhere for funding.

Let’s hope that the remaining lenders have the appetite to lend. We have certainly seen their willingness to do so even if the paper trail is getting longer and longer. And that’s where the mortgage broker really earns his keep; with so many hoops to jump through, property investors rely on brokers like us not only for our access to market but also to ensure their funding applications receive fair consideration in these tough times.

Having said all that, the number of buy-to-let products is definitely on the increase and our phones are certainly ringing considerably more in recent weeks.

And with the latest base rate announcement yet another non-mover, my guess is that October could be the best month we’ve had for quite some time.

David Whittaker is managing director at specialist buy-to-let broker, Mortgages for Business