Mortgages & Equity

National Housing Bank Backs Salford, Bromley, Ludlow Homes

The National Housing Bank has agreed £35 million in loans across Salford, Bromley and Ludlow, unlocking around 2,500 new homes as part of its plan to invest up to £16 billion in housing and regeneration finance over the next decade.

10 Jul 2026 · 8 min read

Mortgage Fraud UK: What It Is, Real Figures, and How to Report It

The FCA opened just 1 mortgage fraud investigation in 2025, down from 18 total since 2018, even as UK Finance reports £1.17bn lost to fraud and Cifas finds 1 in 6 adults know someone who misled a lender.

7 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

5 Million UK Homeowners Face Higher Mortgage Costs: What the Bank of England Report Means Across the UK

The Bank of England now expects over 5 million UK homeowners to face higher mortgage costs by 2028, up from 3.9 million forecast in December, with regional variation across the UK.

7 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Buy-to-Let Mortgage Range Streamlined by Lender

A UK lender has streamlined its buy-to-let mortgage range, a move reported this week in trade press.

7 Jul 2026 · 1 min read

Mortgage Affordability: How Lenders Actually Decide How Much You Can Borrow

How UK mortgage lenders calculate affordability beyond a simple income multiple, including stress testing, committed expenditure and self-employed income assessment.

5 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

How Mortgage Interest Is Actually Calculated Day by Day

How UK mortgage lenders calculate daily interest, why the day-count convention used (365 vs 365.25) can make your own maths not quite match your statement.

5 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Guarantor Mortgages Explained: How They Actually Work in the UK

How a UK guarantor mortgage works, the difference from a joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage, and what the risk actually means for the guarantor.

5 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Getting a Mortgage With a CCJ: What Actually Affects Your Chances

How a County Court Judgment affects a UK mortgage application: satisfied vs unsatisfied CCJs, how long they stay on file, and what lenders actually look at.

5 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

FSCS Mortgage Advice Compensation Triples to £1.6m in a Year

FSCS compensation for bad mortgage advice rose from £500,000 to £1.6 million in a year, driven mainly by claims against a firm that defaulted in 2011.

2 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

What Is a CHAPS Payment?

CHAPS is the UK's same-day payment system for high-value transfers, commonly used for house purchases. There is no maximum limit on a CHAPS payment.

1 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

What Are Interest Rates?

Interest is what you pay to borrow money, or what you earn for saving it. Bank Rate, currently 3.75%, is the reference point for most UK rates.

1 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

What Is the Bank of England Bank Rate?

Bank Rate is the interest rate the Bank of England charges commercial banks. It currently stands at 3.75%, held at the MPC's 18 June 2026 meeting.

1 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

What Is the Monetary Policy Committee?

The Monetary Policy Committee is the Bank of England group that sets the UK Bank Rate to keep inflation close to its 2% target.

1 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

How to Remortgage in the UK: Complete Guide to Rates, Costs, Timing and What to Check

Complete UK remortgage guide: what remortgaging means, how long it takes, how much it costs, when you can remortgage, product transfer vs switching lender and your FCA rights.

10 Jul 2026 · 12 min read

UK Home Sales Jumped 17% Annually in May 2026: What the HMRC Figures Actually Show

UK residential transactions hit 98,450 in May 2026, up 17% YoY. HMRC explains why the annual comparison is flattered by last year's stamp duty changes.

30 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Opening the Door to Mortgages: What the FCA's Affordability Proposals Mean

The FCA is consulting on giving lenders more flexibility on affordability checks, aimed at first-time buyers, the self-employed and older borrowers.

30 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Average Mortgage Broker Fee UK 2026: What You Should Expect to Pay

Mortgage broker fees in the UK typically range from £0 to £999 for standard cases. This guide covers what brokers charge, why fees vary, when a fee-free broker makes sense, and what the FCA requires brokers to disclose.

7 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

Mortgage Guarantee Scheme UK 2026: How the Permanent Scheme Works and Who Qualifies

The UK Mortgage Guarantee Scheme provides a government guarantee to lenders on high loan-to-value mortgages, enabling 5% deposit mortgages. This guide covers eligibility, lenders, and how the permanent scheme differs from its predecessors.

29 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

What Are Swap Rates? How They Affect UK Mortgage Rates Explained

Swap rates are the wholesale interest rates lenders use to price fixed-rate mortgages. When swap rates rise, fixed mortgage rates follow. This guide explains how swap rates work and what they mean for your mortgage.

29 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

FCA Mortgage Affordability Reform 2026: Proposed Rule Changes to Help More Borrowers

The FCA has launched a consultation on proposed changes to mortgage affordability rules to help more people access mortgages - including self-employed borrowers, first-time buyers, and older borrowers. Key changes proposed for 2026.

29 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Portfolio Landlord Mortgage UK 2026: Rules, Lenders and How to Qualify

Portfolio landlords with four or more mortgaged buy-to-let properties face stricter PRA underwriting since 2017. This guide explains the rules, which lenders accept portfolio landlords and how to structure applications.

29 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

FCA Mortgage Rule Review CP26/18: What It Means for First-Time Buyers, Self-Employed and Older Borrowers

FCA consultation CP26/18 proposes flexibility for self-employed borrowers, older homeowners and those with past credit issues. Consultation closes 28 July 2026. What the proposed changes mean in practice.

29 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

The Mortgage Works Cuts Buy-to-Let Switcher Rates for Existing Customers from 27 June

The Mortgage Works cuts BTL switcher rates by up to 0.25pp from 27 June 2026. Five-year fix at 4.44% (65% LTV, £1,495 fee). Third rate cut in a month.

27 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

Scotland's £10,000 Deposit Scheme Faces Affordability Concerns as City Prices Outpace Grant

Scotland's First Home Fund provides a £10,000 equity loan for first-time buyers. Critics say it falls short in Edinburgh where a 5% deposit is.

27 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

FCA Proposes New Mortgage Affordability Rules: What the Consultation Means for Borrowers

The FCA has proposed replacing the current mortgage stress test with a flexible lender-set framework. LTI limits from the Bank of England remain.

26 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Before You Release Equity from Your Home: How Rolled-Up Interest Grows and What It Costs Long Term

Lifetime mortgage interest compounds — £100,000 at 5.5% becomes £291,000 after 20 years. Affects inheritance and benefits. Regulated advice required.

26 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

Before You Build Your Own Home: Stage Release Mortgages, Planning, CIL and True Costs

Self-build mortgages release funds in stages. Budget for CIL, VAT reclaim and a 15-20% contingency on top of build cost. Planning alone takes months.

26 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

Before You Take Out a Bridging Loan: Exit Strategy, Costs and What Happens If It Goes Wrong

Bridging loans cost 0.4-1.5% per month. Without a confirmed exit strategy the lender can appoint a receiver and force a sale. Know the total cost first.

26 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

Before You Buy Your First Home: The Hidden Costs That Catch Buyers Out

The deposit is only part of the cost. Surveys, solicitor fees and mortgage costs add £8,000-£25,000 on top. Here is the full breakdown.

26 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

FCA: Mortgage Rule Reform Is About Better Outcomes, Not Relaxing Standards

FCA frames mortgage reform as better outcomes under Consumer Duty. Creditworthy borrowers currently excluded. Responsible lending rules remain in force.

26 Jun 2026 · 3 min read