Is it still summer? It’s hard to tell at the moment. For one, the weather has been suspiciously akin to what we’d expect in November and, furthermore, what would traditionally be one of the quietest periods of the years has actually been one of the busiest – at least when it comes to lenders’ changes.

To begin with The Mortgage Works announced that it would be increasing its maximum loan size on selected loan-to-values (LTV). As of 21 July the maximum loan for experienced landlords between 65% and 70% LTV increased from £500,000 to £750,000, while maximum loans between 70% and 75% LTV increased from £350,000 to £500,000.

That same week Santander announced it was making changes to its buy-to-let policy. The lender has removed the requirement for someone to hold a residential mortgage in order to take out a buy-to-let loan. While the borrower still needs to own the property that they live in this can now be owned mortgage-free.

There were further changes from Accord which announced it was changing its rental calculation on interest rates from 125% of 5% to 125% of 5.24%, with effect from July 31.

The new rate will apply to all new applications irrespective of the LTV or loan amount.

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Kent Reliance highlighted a recent change in the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ Red Book when announcing its policy changes. RICS has recently updated its guidelines in relation to the assumptions that a valuer should make when valuing long leaseholds. As a result, Kent Reliance has announced that for all interest-only residential and buy-to-let loans the maximum LTV will be limited to 75% if the remaining lease term is less that 85 years.

And finally Woolwich has announced it has introduced a new personal affordability check for all applications.

Phew. Whatever happened to lazy summer days?