UK self-employed mortgages typically require 2-3 years of SA302s. Some specialist lenders accept 1 year of accounts for newly self-employed. This guide covers what lenders look for, the documents required, and how contractors and seasonal workers approach the application.
UK notice savings accounts require 30, 60, 90, or 120 days notice for withdrawals in exchange for slightly higher rates than easy access. This guide covers when notice accounts are worth the friction and how they compare with fixed bonds.
UK current accounts handle day-to-day transactions; savings accounts earn interest; ISAs combine savings with a tax-free wrapper. This guide covers the differences, FSCS protection, and how the GBP 20,000 ISA allowance interacts with savings.
UK contractor mortgages can be assessed on day rate (specialist lenders) or personal income (mainstream lenders). Specialist contractor mortgages use day rate * 46-48 weeks for affordability, typically supporting larger borrowing. This guide covers the routes and documentation.
How Shared Parental Leave (SPL) works in the UK: eligibility, how leave is split between partners, the difference between SPL pay and SMP, and the notice requirements to the employer.
Shared equity and shared ownership are often confused but work differently. This article compares the two structures, the rent and interest implications, and the trade-offs when selling, staircasing, or transferring.
An overview of UK self-build mortgages: the staged drawdown structure, the difference between arrears and advance products, the site valuation process, and the typical eligibility and deposit requirements for borrowers building their own home.
A guide to remortgaging in the UK: when to start the process, what to compare, the difference between a product transfer and a full remortgage, and the typical costs involved. Aimed at borrowers approaching the end of a deal period.
How offset mortgages work: the linked savings account, the interest reduction effect, the tax efficiency compared with paying down debt directly, and the trade-off in headline rate versus a non-offset product.
A complete guide to UK residential mortgages: the main product types, the application process, the role of the broker, and the consumer protections set by the FCA. Aimed at first-time and repeat buyers.
The four main UK residential mortgage rate types compared: fixed rate, standard variable rate, tracker, and discount. The article explains how each is priced, the typical deal length, and the trade-offs in different rate environments.
How UK lenders stress-test mortgage affordability, what the rate buffer is intended to cover, and how stress testing affects the maximum loan available compared to a simple income multiple.
Mortgage protection insurance covers the mortgage payment or balance if the borrower cannot pay due to death, critical illness, or inability to work. The article compares the main forms: decreasing-term life, MPPI, and income protection sized to the mortgage.
How UK mortgage overpayments work, the typical 10% annual limit on fixed-rate deals, how overpayments are credited (term reduction vs payment reduction), and the breakeven calculation versus other uses of the same cash.
Comparing a UK mortgage broker against a direct application to the lender. The article covers cost, market access, advised vs execution-only routes, and the FCA disclosure requirements that apply to brokers and lenders alike.
The UK mortgage application process from mortgage in principle through to completion. Covers the documents needed at each stage, typical timelines, and the common reasons applications are delayed or refused.
Let-to-buy lets a homeowner remortgage the existing home onto a buy-to-let basis and use the released equity for a new residential purchase. The article covers the structure, the SDLT additional rate consideration, the rental coverage test, and the tax treatment of rental income.
How UK interest-only residential mortgages work, the repayment vehicle requirement, the typical criteria for approval, and the differences between part-and-part and pure interest-only structures.
How children apply for UK ILR alongside a parent: the dependant route, the standard residence and absence rules, and the differences from independent child applications.
An explainer for UK first-time and lower-income buyers on government-backed home ownership schemes: Help to Buy (now closed to new applicants in England), shared ownership, and First Homes. Covers eligibility, structure, and the trade-offs of each.
How UK bridging loans work for property chain situations: short term, secured against property, used to complete a purchase before an existing property sells. Covers the rate structure, exit requirement, and the FCA regulated vs unregulated distinction.
Step-children have no automatic inheritance rights under UK intestacy law. They can be named as beneficiaries in a will, qualify as direct descendants for the residence nil-rate band, and may bring a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 where they
Section 21 notice UK: how the old no-fault eviction process worked, the procedural traps for landlords, tenant defences, and what changes under the...
UK landlord licensing is operated by individual local authorities under the Housing Act 2004. Three main schemes exist: mandatory HMO licensing for larger shared homes, additional HMO licensing (set locally), and selective licensing covering all private rented homes in designated areas.
UK landlords typically combine several insurance covers: buildings insurance (often required by the mortgage lender), contents insurance for furnished lets, public liability, rent guarantee, legal expenses, and emergency assistance. Each addresses a specific risk and is not legally
UK landlords letting on an assured shorthold tenancy must protect tenant deposits in a government-backed scheme within 30 days of receipt. Failing to do so can result in fines of up to three times the deposit and prevents the landlord from using Section 21 to recover possession.
A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a property let to three or more unrelated tenants forming two or more households. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to larger HMOs nationally; additional licensing applies to smaller HMOs in many local authorities. HMOs typically deliver higher gross
UK divorce property division is governed by the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. The family home is usually the most significant asset. Options include sale and division of proceeds, transfer to one party with a buyout of the other's interest, deferred sale (Mesher or Martin order), or
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) calculates and administers child maintenance in the UK using a formula based on the paying parent's gross income, the number of qualifying children, and the number of shared care nights. Family-based agreements are the alternative where parents can
Section 24 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 restricts the tax relief individual UK landlords can claim on residential mortgage interest. From April 2020, mortgage interest is no longer deducted from rental income; instead, a 20 percent basic-rate tax credit is given against the income tax
Get Kael Tripton in your Google feed
⭐ Add as Preferred Source on Google