Hub: Mortgages

What Are Second Charge Mortgages? UK 2026

Second charge mortgages are FCA-regulated UK loans secured against a property already carrying a first-charge mortgage. They sit behind the main mortgage in priority order and let borrowers release equity without disturbing a low-rate first mortgage.

12 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Can You Remortgage with a Secured Loan? UK 2026

Yes, you can remortgage with a secured loan in place. The new first-charge lender either consolidates the secured loan into the new mortgage or runs both in parallel with a fresh deed of postponement. Combined LTV, affordability, and lender consent decide which.

12 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

What Is a Second Charge Mortgage? UK 2026

A second charge mortgage is a regulated UK loan secured against a home that already has a first-charge mortgage. It sits behind the main mortgage at HM Land Registry and lets borrowers release equity without breaking a low-rate first mortgage.

8 May 2026 · 6 min read

Buy-to-Let Secured Loans UK 2026

A buy-to-let secured loan is a second-charge mortgage on an investment property already carrying a first BTL mortgage. UK landlords use them for deposits on new purchases, refurbishment, and tax bills. Combined LTV caps are tighter than residential and rental coverage matters as much as personal inc

12 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

Joint Mortgage with CCJ UK 2026

A joint UK mortgage with a CCJ on one applicant's file does not necessarily stop the application. Specialist lenders accept where the CCJ is satisfied and aged. Mainstream lenders usually decline. Track record and clean recent credit help.

12 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

How Many Secured Loans Can I Have? UK 2026

Most UK homeowners can hold one secured loan against their property in addition to their main mortgage. Two is possible from specialist lenders; three or more is rare. The real ceiling is combined loan-to-value plus consents from existing chargeholders, not a statutory cap.

12 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

Does a Secured Loan Affect Remortgaging? UK 2026

A secured loan affects remortgaging in three ways: it appears on your credit file, on the title at HM Land Registry, and on bank statements. The new lender will factor the monthly payment into affordability and may require the secured loan to be cleared on completion.

12 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

How Long Does a Secured Loan Take to Complete? UK 2026

Most UK secured loans complete in 3 to 6 weeks. Specialist lenders can complete in 10 to 14 days; complex cases can take 8 weeks or more. The biggest variable is how fast your first-charge mortgage lender returns its consent.

12 Jun 2026 · 10 min read

Buy-to-Let Mortgage Guide UK 2026 -- Costs, Tax and How to Qualify

Buy-to-let mortgages require a 25% deposit and rent must cover 125-145% of the mortgage payment at a stress rate of 5.5%. Section 24 removed mortgage interest relief for higher rate taxpayers from 2020, fundamentally changing the economics of leveraged property investment.

12 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

How to Save for a House Deposit UK 2026

The average first-time buyer deposit is 53,414 pounds in 2026. Using a Lifetime ISA adds up to 1,000 pounds per year in government bonuses. This guide covers the best accounts, government schemes and strategies to reach your target faster.

12 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

Porting a Mortgage UK 2026 — How to Take Your Deal to a New Property

Porting lets you move your existing mortgage deal to a new property. Here is how it works, the hidden costs, when porting beats remortgaging, and the timing gap risk most borrowers miss.

12 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Adding Debts to Your Mortgage UK 2026 — Should You Do It?

Consolidating debts into your mortgage lowers your monthly payment but you pay interest for decades. Here is the true cost comparison, when consolidation makes sense, and the FCA rules that protect you.

12 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

How Much Can I Borrow for a Mortgage UK 2026

Most UK lenders cap borrowing at 4.5× your income under Bank of England rules, but your real limit depends on stress-testing, income type and your existing commitments. Here is how the calculation actually works.

12 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

How to Extend Your Lease UK 2026 — Step by Step Under the New Act

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 changed lease extension rights significantly. Here is the step-by-step process, how the premium is calculated, when to negotiate versus go statutory, and the changes to marriage value.

12 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Moving House Checklist UK 2026 — Complete Week-by-Week Timeline

A complete moving house checklist for UK buyers and sellers in 2026, from offer accepted to moving in — with SDLT thresholds, searches, survey types and a week-by-week countdown.

12 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Cannot Pay My Mortgage UK 2026 — What to Do

If you cannot pay your mortgage, FCA rules require your lender to explore all options before taking court action. Here are the five steps to take immediately and the protections available under MCOB 13.

18 May 2026 · 4 min read

Frontier Home Insurance Review UK 2026 - Is It Legit?

Frontier home insurance review May 2026. FRN 630440, underwritten by Red Sands. 14,288 Trustpilot reviews analysed, FCA-authorised intermediary status verified.

7 Jun 2026 · 15 min read

Home Renovation Insurance UK 2026: What Cover You Need During Building Works

UK home renovation insurance May 2026. JCT contracts, contractor's all-risks, existing structure cover and specialist providers. FRN-verified, primary sources.

4 May 2026 · 14 min read

New Build, Shared Ownership & Help to Buy UK 2026

HtB equity loan unwind, shared ownership staircasing, new-build lender lists.

12 Jun 2026 · 1 min read

Expat & Non-Resident Mortgages UK 2026

Currency rules, lender pools, BTL for expats, returning expats.

18 May 2026 · 1 min read

Adverse Credit Mortgages UK 2026

Defaults, CCJs, IVAs, bankruptcy discharge, specialist lenders.

18 May 2026 · 1 min read

Self-Employed & Contractor Mortgages UK 2026

1-year accounts, day-rate contractors, SA302 evidence.

18 May 2026 · 1 min read

UK Buy-to-Let & Portfolio Mortgages 2026

BTL stress tests, portfolio landlord rules, limited company SPVs.

18 May 2026 · 1 min read

First-Time Buyer Mortgages UK 2026

LTV ladders, deposit thresholds, schemes still available.

12 Jun 2026 · 1 min read

UK Property for Expats 2026 -- Buy, Rent & Remortgage From Abroad

TL;DR * TL;DR: Non-residents buying UK property pay a 2% SDLT surcharge (since 1 April 2021) on top of all

16 Jun 2026 · 10 min read

Buy-to-Let UK from Abroad 2026 -- Mortgages, New Property Tax Rates and Reporting

Buy-to-let UK from abroad 2026: property income rates from 6 April 2026 are 22%/42%/47% (Autumn Budget 2025 OOTLAR). NRLS withholds 20% from rent unless NRL1 approval is held. Section 24 caps mortgage interest at a 20% credit. Expat BTL rates run 0.5-1.5% above UK resident rates.

16 Jun 2026 · 9 min read

UK Expat Mortgage Broker 2026 -- How to Choose, Cost and FCA Authorisation

A UK expat mortgage broker must hold FCA MCOB authorisation (register.fca.org.uk). Expat rates run 0.5-1.5% above resident rates; minimum deposits are 25-40% for buy-to-let. Broker fees run £500-1,500. Specialist lenders handle most expat cases in 2026.

17 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

Remortgage UK Property as an Expat 2026 -- Lenders, Rates and Process

Remortgage UK property as expat 2026: Skipton International, HSBC Expat and Paragon Bank offer remortgage products at 0.5-1.5% above standard UK rates. Two-year fixed rates average 5.1-6.5% at 75% LTV. Overseas income evidence required. NRLS applies if the property is rented.

16 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

Renting Out UK Property While Abroad 2026 -- Tax, NRLS and Mortgages

Renting out UK property while abroad: NRLS (SI 1995/2902) withholds 20% basic rate tax from gross rents. NRL1 allows gross payment with HMRC approval. Mortgage interest restricted to a 20% basic rate credit. Non-resident CGT at 18-24% applies on sale; report within 60 days.

17 Jun 2026 · 10 min read

UK Expat Divorce Finance 2026 -- Cross-Border Settlement, Pensions and Property

UK expat divorce finance: English courts exercise jurisdiction where either party is domiciled or habitually resident in England. Pension sharing orders under MCA 1973 s.21A split UK pensions. Finance Act 2022 reformed CGT on UK property transfers in divorce from April 2023.

17 Jun 2026 · 9 min read