Mortgages & Equity

HM Land Registry's 2025-26 Report: Faster Completions, Digital Signatures and £63m Fraud Stopped

HM Land Registry's 2025-26 Annual Report shows faster processing, the first mortgage completed with a Qualified Electronic Signature, and £63 million in fraudulent applications prevented.

15 Jul 2026 · 7 min read

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