LAST REVIEWED: JUNE 2026
London and Country (L&C) scores 72/100 and Habito scores 67/100 on the KT Score for online mortgage broker services. Both are FCA-authorised fee-free mortgage brokers with lender panels of 90 or more lenders. L&C scores higher primarily due to its longer track record, greater experience with complex mortgage cases including self-employed applicants and non-standard properties, and stronger whole-of-market coverage. Habito scores well for its digital experience and is the only UK online broker to also offer its own proprietary long-term fixed rate mortgage product (Habito One). For straightforward mortgage cases, both produce good outcomes. For complex cases, L&C's depth of experience gives it an edge.
Lender panel comparison
Both Habito and London and Country access lender panels of 90 or more lenders, covering the major high-street banks, building societies and specialist lenders. Neither broker publishes its full lender list, though both describe their service as covering a substantial portion of the available mortgage market. The specific lenders on each panel differ and may include or exclude certain specialist lenders relevant to specific borrower circumstances.
For most straightforward purchase and remortgage cases with employed income and standard residential properties, the overlap between Habito's and L&C's panels is sufficient that both brokers will access the same mainstream lender products. For borrowers with specialist requirements such as complex self-employed income structures, non-standard property types, expatriate applications or adverse credit, the specific composition of each panel becomes more relevant, and both brokers should be consulted to confirm they can access the relevant specialist lenders.
Digital experience vs telephone service
Habito's service is primarily digital: the fact-find, product comparison and application progression are all managed through Habito's online portal and app. Human adviser support is available but the default experience is digital-first. This suits borrowers who are comfortable managing their mortgage application online and who prefer to progress at their own pace rather than through scheduled telephone appointments.
London and Country combines a digital initial fact-find with a more telephone-centric adviser relationship. L&C advisers typically schedule telephone calls to discuss the borrower's circumstances and product options in more depth than Habito's default digital flow. For borrowers who prefer to discuss their mortgage with a human adviser and receive personalised guidance through the application, L&C's telephone-centric model is preferable. For borrowers who want to manage the process digitally and at their own pace, Habito's model is more suitable.
Complex cases: where L&C has the edge
London and Country has a longer track record in handling complex mortgage applications than Habito. L&C's experienced advisers regularly handle applications from the self-employed, contractors, landlords, those with adverse credit history and applicants purchasing non-standard property types including listed buildings, ex-local authority flats and properties above commercial premises. Habito handles many of these case types but its digital-first process is less well suited to the bespoke packaging that complex cases often require.
For borrowers whose circumstances fall outside the mainstream, L&C's ability to work with specialist lenders and present cases in the most favourable light to underwriters is a meaningful advantage. The telephone relationship with an experienced L&C adviser allows nuanced discussion of the case that Habito's more structured digital process does not replicate as effectively.
Habito One: the unique differentiator
Habito's unique differentiator versus L&C is its own proprietary mortgage product, Habito One, which offers long-term fixed rates of 10 to 40 years. L&C does not have its own mortgage product; it is a pure broker. For borrowers who are specifically interested in a long-term fixed rate and want to access Habito One alongside a market comparison, Habito is the appropriate route. L&C cannot access Habito One as it is a direct product.
Head-to-head comparison
| Factor | Habito | London and Country |
|---|---|---|
| KT Score | 67 | 72 |
| Lender panel | 90+ | 90+ |
| Borrower fee | Free | Free |
| Primary channel | Digital | Telephone + digital |
| Complex cases | Moderate | Strong |
| Own mortgage product | Yes (Habito One) | No |
| Best for | Digital-first, long-term fix interest | Complex cases, telephone preference |
Disclaimer: This comparison is produced by Kael Tripton Ltd for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not FCA authorised. Company No. 17177071, ICO ZC135439.
Frequently asked questions
Is Habito or London and Country better for first-time buyers?
Both Habito and London and Country are suitable for first-time buyers with straightforward employed income and standard properties. Habito's digital process is often preferred by younger first-time buyers comfortable managing the application online. London and Country's telephone adviser relationship can be more reassuring for first-time buyers who want detailed guidance through the process. Both brokers handle Help to Buy, shared ownership and standard purchase applications. For first-time buyers with any complexity in their circumstances, L&C's experience with complex cases gives it a small advantage.
Do Habito and London and Country access the same lenders?
Both brokers access panels of 90 or more lenders covering the major high-street banks and building societies. The specific panel composition differs between the two brokers and neither publishes its full lender list. For mainstream purchase and remortgage cases, the panel overlap is substantial and both will access the same major lender products. For specialist requirements, consulting both brokers to confirm panel access for the specific lender type is advisable.
Can I use both Habito and London and Country?
Yes. Obtaining mortgage recommendations from both Habito and London and Country before making a final product choice is entirely legitimate. Both conduct an initial soft search credit assessment that does not leave a hard footprint on the credit file, allowing comparison without credit score impact. The final mortgage application with the chosen lender will result in a hard credit search at that stage. Running both brokers in parallel is the most thorough approach to comparing available products.
