Creative Ways to Release Equity from Your UK Property with Second Charge Mortgages and Top Slicing

Creative Ways to Release Equity from Your UK Property with Second Charge Mortgages and Top Slicing

Updated on: August 18, 2023

For many high-net-worth individuals, unlocking capital tied up in prime UK property can present challenges. Traditional banks often restrict lending due to affordability stress tests, loan-to-value (LTV) ceilings, or rigid credit scoring criteria. Yet, innovative structures now exist that allow clients to release equity from your UK property without disturbing preferential mortgage arrangements.

At Articus Finance, we specialise in discreet and tailored mortgage solutions that enable clients to access liquidity effectively while protecting long-term strategies.


Why Equity Release Can Be Restrictive

Conventional lenders maintain strict risk frameworks, which can prevent you from maximising borrowing potential, even when your portfolio comfortably supports higher leverage. Common hurdles include:

  • Affordability assessments: Lenders limit borrowing if current income does not satisfy debt ratios, even for wealth-rich but income-light clients.
  • Rental stress tests: Buy-to-let properties often undergo restrictive rental coverage requirements, reducing available loan amounts.
  • Loan-to-value (LTV) caps: Many banks impose firm maximums, restricting borrowing to conservative thresholds.
  • Income multipliers: Loan-to-income restrictions penalise property investors who hold wealth in assets rather than salary.
  • Credit history: Even affluent clients may see applications hindered by technicalities in credit scoring models.

If you have experienced any of these challenges, alternative funding mechanisms can provide a solution that mainstream banks often overlook.


Second Charge Mortgages – A Flexible Tool

One proven strategy is a second charge mortgage, also known as a secured loan. This enables you to retain your favourable first-charge mortgage while raising additional capital against existing equity.

Advantages of second charge lending include:

  • No need to refinance existing low-rate debt.
  • Can be structured for personal or investment purposes.
  • Offers flexibility for acquisitions, property renovations, or debt restructuring.
  • Maintains access to prime mortgage rates while unlocking liquidity quickly.

For clients with significant property equity yet constrained by traditional affordability criteria, this strategy is particularly effective.


Top Slicing – Extending Borrowing Potential

Another creative option is top slicing mortgages. These allow lenders to consider not just rental income but also your broader wealth profile – including salary, investment returns, and asset holdings – to strengthen affordability assessments.

This can enable:

  • Significantly increased borrowing capacity.
  • Access to prime-bank rates otherwise unavailable through standard underwriting.
  • Ability to leverage diversified income streams for property finance.

For global investors, international executives, and family offices, top slicing creates a more holistic lending model aligned with modern wealth structures.


Unlocking Opportunities Across Your Portfolio

The ability to release equity from your UK property is more than a financing decision – it is about enhancing liquidity, diversifying investments, and building resilience into your wealth strategy.

At Articus Finance, we regularly deploy both second charge mortgages and top slicing for clients who require:

  • Financing for property acquisitions without liquidating assets.
  • Structured leverage to support investment diversification.
  • Tailored cash management for family and intergenerational planning.
  • Strategic refinancing for international or expat investors seeking efficient UK exposure.

Expert Guidance Where Traditional Solutions Fall Short

Our position as a boutique finance firm means we collaborate with private banks, niche lenders, and alternative providers overlooked in mass-market approaches. With over two decades of combined experience, our London-based brokerage team understands how to negotiate bespoke structures across high-value transactions.

In addition to equity release, our advisory spans bridging finance, development finance, commercial lending, and strategic refinancing across multi-jurisdictional portfolios. Explore our case studies to see examples of complex situations we have successfully navigated.


Why Articus Finance

  • Discreet service: Our solutions are tailored, confidential, and crafted for UHNWIs, expats, and private investors.
  • Strong lender network: Decades of relationships spanning private banks, specialist lenders, and international institutions.
  • Proven delivery: Expertise in structuring complex and high-value deals that conventional lenders cannot accommodate.

To learn more about financing options beyond mainstream channels, review our insights on high net worth mortgages, expat mortgages, or bridging solutions.


Final Thoughts

If you are seeking innovative strategies to release equity from your UK property, second charge mortgages and top slicing may unlock opportunities otherwise blocked by traditional lending tests. At Articus Finance, our role is to deliver discreet, solution-driven advice that positions you for long-term strength and liquidity.

Contact our expert team today to explore structuring options tailored exclusively to your circumstances.

release equity from your UK property


Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other loan secured on it. Articus Finance is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Proven Expertise

Our specialist mortgage brokers based in London are highly experienced in negotiating the best mortgages and mortgage rates, no matter how complex your situation.

With over 20 years’ combined experience sourcing the best mortgage deals for global clients, our brokers have the skills, knowledge, and lender relationships to turn your property aspirations into a reality. To find out how we do it, explore our case studies.

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a question about our services, we’re on hand to help.

Henry Wong

Mortgage Broker

Henry has amassed over five years of experience in the finance industry, where he has honed his skills in arranging financing facilities for both businesses and individual consumers. At Articus, he leverages his expertise in corporate finance to guide clients in achieving their business objectives, combining a deep understanding of market dynamics with a steadfast commitment to client success. Henry prides himself in problem solving and no deal is too large or complex for him to tackle, he enjoys crafting innovative solutions that drive results. His dedication to his clients is evident in his proactive communication style and his ability to build lasting relationships. Henry holds a degree in Economics from Queen Mary University London and outside of work, he is a creative within the music industry and is an avid fan of Liverpool FC.

Tafouse Raza

Client Services

Tafouse brings expertise from the prime London property market, excelling in client care. Dedicated to exceptional service, Tafouse goes above and beyond to meet your needs. Passionate about rugby, travel, and showjumping, his diverse interests reflect a commitment to excellence in every interaction.

Harry Lart

Mortgage Broker

Harry has over 16 years of experience within the Finance, Housing and Development sector. He started off his career as a CIMA Qualified Chartered Accountant and transitioned over to financial services in 2019. During this time he has dealt with a range of complex financial arrangements from ex pat mortgages to large development loans. Harry has a can do attitude and believes there’s a solution to every situation and will work tirelessly to ensure your deal crosses the line. In his spare time Harry likes to play poker, travel and try new cuisines.

Carolina Barreiros

Marketing Manager

Carolina is a multilingual Marketing Manager originally from Portugal. She specialises in International Marketing and Business, helping organisations expand their brand awareness globally over the last 4 years. Her past work includes supporting start-ups to multinational companies in the UK and across Europe. She is a creative and passionate individual, bringing a fresh perspective to the financial industry and delivering high quality research.

In her spare time, Carolina enjoys socialising & travelling around the world, embracing different cultures and experiences. 

Antonia Grieve

Office Manager

Antonia brings fantastic planning, organisational and time management skills to her role as office manager, ensuring that operations at Articus run smoothly. An experienced administrator with fantastic problem solving skills, Antonia began her career working in medical administration, so she is highly experienced working with confidential client data.

Jack Cuthbert

Client Services Executive

Jack comes from a background of delivering great customer service. He has worked in the property industry since 2016 and has solid knowledge of the property market, combined with a good knowledge of the mortgage industry. Jack is CeMap qualified and enjoys looking after his clients and building strong working relationships. Away from work, Jack spends most of his time travelling with friends, playing football and watching Charlton Athletic.

Matthew Currey

Case Manager

Matthew has experience working as a mortgage administrator and assisting with clients of any calibre. His main strength is his ability to develop a close relationship to his brokers and clients, allowing for a smooth transition throughout your mortgage journey, his friendly nature helps in making the process a lot less intimidating than it needs to be. Outside of work Matthew spends his time playing Chess and exploring the world with his Girlfriend.

Danny Doran

Business Development Manager

Danny started his career in financial services in 2005. He has developed an ability to build relationships and collaborate for success, through consistent communication, a holistic approach to deal building and an ability to swiftly problem solve. Danny has worked with Private and High Net Worth clients for over a decade and is driven by a strong, natural desire to ensure his clients and their businesses reach their full potential. As a property investor himself, he is well placed and experienced in all things property related. Outside of work, Danny has a keen interest in psychology, the outdoors and travelling.

Theo Osborn

Mortgage Broker

Theo started his journey in the specialist finance industry while working as a journalist at an industry trade magazine. During this time he amassed a great knowledge of mortgages, bridging, development and commercial funding and established a wealth of relationships in the industry. He transferred these skills and now specialises in assisting clients with their specialist finance requirements. Working alongside the CEO, Theo has learnt the nuances of ultra-complex transactions and knows how to most efficiently manage the funding process to completion. Theo aims to achieve the best solution for every client he deals with a particular focus on sourcing funding for developments and refurbishment.

Stefanos Petrou

Mortgage Broker

Stefanos started in financial services in 2013 managing clients across central London. Consistently providing a high level of thorough service. Prioritising communication, research, and innovation in order to meet his clients complex goals. Stefanos strengths lie in maintaining long standing relationships and being by his clients side throughout the process. Outside of work Stefanos enjoys spending time with his friends and family, unless of course Arsenal F.C are playing.

Dino Lazarides

Mortgage Broker

With over 20 years of financial services experience Dino is an accomplished mortgage adviser who relishes the more complex cases, enjoys a challenge and always does everything he can to ensure his clients not only get the result they need but to achieve their property goals.   A fully qualified financial adviser Dino quickly realised that property and mortgages were his passion and over the years gained his experience helping investors build their property portfolios.  When not working Dino enjoys spending time with his family, loves modern and classic performance cars, popular culture, technology, mountain biking and is a supporter of West Ham United.

William Gleeson

Mortgage Broker

William started in financial services 2014 arranging finance for HNW clients and their families. One of his main strengths is building deep, long standing relationships with his clients, which enables him to fully understand their needs and tailor solutions to fit each client individually. William has relationships with a variety of lenders ranging from international private banks to some of the largest lenders within the UK. Outside of work, William enjoys spending time with his young family and is an avid rugby player.

Steven Boyde

Mortgage Broker

Steven started working across London’s property and financial services market in 2007. He specialises in development, bridging and commercial finance and has completed many multi-million transactions. Steven believes in customer focused relationships and has many clients who have been with him for years. Away from work, Steven spends most of his time with his two children and wife, on the golf course or watching Plymouth Argyle.

Samuel Asante

Mortgage Broker

Whether you require access to bespoke funding, or need to fund a project of any scale, Samuel will always find a solution to meet the requirements of any client. No matter how complex your case is, through his innovative and determined nature, he can find a structure to finance a client’s plans. As a trained martial artist, Samuel’s passion and confidence carries over into the workplace, and you can expect a clear and concise transaction journey from start to finish.

Jason Hunt

Mortgage Broker

Jason started in 2012 in financial services working across London’s property and financial services markets for HNW individuals. He is able to construct tailor-made solutions to suit his client’s needs, no matter how complicated. He has completed multi-million pound residential, buy to let and commercial developments across the UK. Jason is a confident and motivated individual whom takes pride in offering an exceptional and professional level of service to all of his clients. Outside of work he enjoys hiking, cycling and traveling the world with his sights set on Base Camp Everest.

Assad Younis

Mortgage Broker

Assad prides himself on being open minded and thinking outside the box. Through a personalised approach and consistent communication; Assad’s strong relationships with specialist lenders gives him the ability to reach the ideal outcome for his clients. With a particular strength in dealing with foreign nationals and ex-pats he approaches his clients with a can-do attitude. His attention to detail allows him to actively support his clients and build a long-term relationship by giving a truly tailored approach.  Outside of work, Assad is a keen explorer and foodie, regularly travelling to remote destinations and testing out the local cuisines.

Shyan Zubair

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Shyan is a global businessman with keen commercial acumen and a deep understanding of the UK property market. Following the successful completion of an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in Mathematics from King’s College London, Shyan has held a range of highly strategic roles, with a focus on UK property investment – meaning he is well versed in the world of HNW property finance. Not only is he an experienced UK landlord, he has an impressive history in the world of property trading, and has played a pivotal role in the completion of a number of large scale development projects with values up to £30 million.

Oliver Hines-Lloyd

Co-Founder & CEO

Ollie entered the world of high net worth mortgages after living in Geneva, where he provided tailored financial advice to private clients. This experience shaped his career trajectory, giving him first-hand experience in understanding and communicating the benefits of financial advice – all while developing the ability to build exceptional client relationships. Following this, Ollie moved back to London where he began specialising in mortgages. His drive, ambition and natural flair for anticipating the needs of his clients led him to progress quickly from Client Services to broker, where he honed his skillset after passing his CeMap exams. Outside of work, Ollie is an avid traveller – and an equally keen supporter of his local club, Fulham FC.

Antonio Michael

Co-Founder & CEO

Antonio has over a decade’s experience arranging and negotiating mortgage finance for some of the UK property market’s most complex transactions. During his career, he has worked at some of the UK’s most prestigious mortgage brokerages, as well as the fast-paced world of currency broking. As a result, he has a wealth of relevant experience in handling complicated cases, like clients buying properties through trusts. Crucially, Antonio has developed an almost unparalleled network of close industry relationships. This enables him to navigate challenging situations with ease, and he relishes taking on cases that have struggled to progress elsewhere and seeing them through to completion.

Antonio Michael

Co-Founder & CEO

Antonio started in financial services in 2006, arranging and negotiating mortgage finance for some of the UK property market’s most complex transactions. During his career, he has worked at some of the UK’s most prestigious mortgage brokerages, as well as the fast-paced world of currency broking.

As a result, he has a wealth of relevant experience in handling complicated cases, like clients buying properties through trusts. Crucially, Antonio has developed an almost unparalleled network of close industry relationships. This enables him to navigate challenging situations with ease, and he relishes taking on cases that have struggled to progress elsewhere and seeing them through to completion.