The Worthing rental market
Worthing has changed in recent years, with more young professionals and families moving along the coast from Brighton in search of more space for their money. The fastest trains to London Victoria take around an hour and 25 minutes, and Brighton is a short train ride east. HMRC opened a large office at Teville Gate House, next to Worthing station, in 2021, bringing a major employer into the town centre. Worthing Hospital is another big local employer.
Rental property ranges from Victorian and Edwardian houses in central Worthing and Heene, many split into flats, to 1930s semis in Broadwater and Tarring, and post-war family homes and bungalows in Durrington and Goring. Seafront blocks and new-build flats near the station are popular with single professionals and couples.
For lenders, the main issues are similar to other coastal towns: short leases and high service charges in older conversions, fire safety documentation for some purpose-built blocks, and the age and condition of the building. Family houses in the suburbs are usually straightforward. See our Worthing mortgage broker page for wider advice.
Who we help in Worthing
- A first buy-to-let, even if you still rent your own home.
- Purchases in your own name, alone or jointly.
- Portfolio lending for landlords with four or more mortgaged properties.
- A buy-to-let remortgage, or a product transfer where staying put makes sense.
Worthing is also popular with landlords moving up from Brighton, who sometimes keep their Brighton flat as a rental.
Speak to a friendly, expert Mortgage Adviser about your unique mortgage needs.
We'll search 1000s of products for the best mortgage and present our advice to you.
Your Adviser will complete your application, liaise with the lender and you, keep you informed until completion.
How buy-to-let lenders assess you
Lenders decide how much to lend on a buy-to-let mainly from the rent the property can earn. The rent has to cover the mortgage payment by a margin set by each lender, tested at an interest rate above the one you will actually pay. Where the figures are tight, a longer fix, a larger deposit or a lender that takes account of your other income can make the difference.
Most lenders ask for at least a 25% deposit. They will also look at your credit record, whether you already own a home, any other properties you let, and, for flats, the lease and the building.
Costs, tax and rules for Worthing landlords
Licensing in Worthing. At the time of writing, Adur & Worthing Councils apply mandatory HMO licensing to properties with five or more people from more than one household, and there is no additional HMO licensing scheme in force. Check the council's website before you buy, as schemes can change.
Buying an additional property in England means a 5% stamp duty surcharge on top of the normal rates. Individual landlords now get only a basic-rate tax credit for mortgage interest, so ask your accountant whether personal or company ownership suits you.
Since 1 May 2026, under the Renters' Rights Act, section 21 evictions have ended, tenancies are periodic, rent can rise only once a year and rent in advance is capped at one month. Rented homes must meet EPC E now, and the government has confirmed a move to EPC C or equivalent by 1 October 2030.
Our broker fee is £599. For a purchase it is payable when your mortgage offer is issued; for a remortgage to a new lender it is charged on completion. Where there is adverse credit the fee is £999, or up to 1% of the loan. We do not charge a fee for product transfers with your existing lender, and we confirm any fee in writing before we start.
Why Worthing landlords use TMS
Russell Braiden CeMAP set up Transparent Mortgage Services to give clear, straight answers. We are directly authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 925926) and rated 5.0 stars from 109 Google reviews. We are based in Hastings and most Worthing clients work with us by phone or video, with documents uploaded securely; you are also welcome at our Hastings office.
Tell us about the property and your plans and we will tell you honestly what is possible. Get in touch or call 01424 444597.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to let a house in Worthing?
A single-family let does not currently need a licence in Worthing. HMOs with five or more people from more than one household need a mandatory licence. Check the council's website before you buy.
Can I get a buy-to-let mortgage on a seafront flat in Worthing?
Usually, yes. Lenders look at lease length, service charges and the building's condition and fire safety. We check these points before you make an offer.
Do you charge a fee for buy-to-let advice?
Our fee is £599, or £999 (or up to 1% of the loan) for adverse credit cases. It is payable at mortgage offer for a purchase, or on completion for a remortgage. There is no fee for product transfers. We confirm any fee in writing before we start.
How much deposit do I need for a buy-to-let mortgage?
Most lenders ask for at least 25% of the purchase price. Some products allow a smaller deposit, but the rent has to cover a higher mortgage payment, so the numbers are harder to make work. We will show you what your deposit and the expected rent can support.
Important: Most buy-to-let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Some are, for example consumer buy-to-let, where you let a former home or let to a close family member. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The FCA does not regulate tax advice, so please speak to an accountant about tax.
Transparent Mortgage Services is a trading style of Transparent Financial Associates Limited, which is directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 925926). 17 Havelock Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 1BP. Telephone 01424 444597.
