Guides

What life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection each do, and how to decide which you need.

How to buy with a 5% deposit or less: schemes, gifted deposits and what a small deposit means for your mortgage.

What a mortgage broker actually does, when to speak to one, and how whole of market advice helps find the right deal.

Lender rules on debt consolidation vary enormously. Here are the LTV caps, the DTI limits and the real cost.

Deposits from 15%, how lenders assess rent, and why holiday lets and HMOs need specialist lenders.

Life insurance is not required for a mortgage. But one type of cover is. Here is what lenders actually insist on.

Product transfer or remortgage? Compare the process, the timing and the costs of both routes when your deal ends.

Which lenders consider Health and Care Worker visa holders, and how bank shifts and overtime are treated.

Which UK lenders accept benefit income, how much of it counts, and what happens if the benefit ends first.

Most lenders accept probation. The real test is continuous employment history. How 10 lenders compare.

Both routes work. Here is what a whole of market broker and your own bank each do well, and when going direct wins.

How let-to-buy mortgages work: rent out your current home, buy your next one, and keep the equity you've built up.

How to mortgage a second home: deposit requirements by lender, how it affects borrowing, and the costs involved.

Why an undischarged bankruptcy is declined everywhere, how long lenders want since discharge, and how six lenders compare.

How lenders assess NHS locum and bank income, whether it's your main income or a top-up alongside your job.

Why a DMP rarely rules out a mortgage, what active vs satisfied means, and six lenders' criteria compared.

What lenders look at with missed payments, why mortgage arrears are treated differently, six lenders compared.

Why active IVAs are declined, how long lenders want it satisfied for, and how six lenders actually assess one.

What lenders look at when you have a default, why satisfied matters, and the threshold many lenders ignore.

What lenders look at when you have a CCJ, why satisfied matters, and the one month removal rule.

What a down-valuation means, your five options, and why another lender may value it differently.

How contractors can be assessed on annualised contract value rather than accounts, and which lenders offer it.

CCJs, defaults, IVAs or bankruptcy needn't rule out a mortgage. Here's what lenders look at, and your realistic options.

How Nationwide's Helping Hand works: up to 6x income, full eligibility criteria, and when another lender could lend more.

Fixed vs tracker mortgages compared: pros, cons, borrowing power and which might suit your circumstances in 2026.

Everything you need to know about remortgaging in 2026, from timing and lender choice to capital raising and paperwork.

How porting a mortgage works, when it avoids an early repayment charge, and when it might not be your best option.

Why the highest income multiple doesn't always mean the biggest mortgage, and how different income types are assessed.

How junior doctors' fixed-term contracts, NHS pay and locum shifts are assessed for a mortgage, plus a borrowing calculator.

Can you get a mortgage as a refugee in the UK? Yes - here's what lenders look for and how to prepare.

How JBSP mortgages let family or friends boost your borrowing power without becoming a legal owner.

How associate dentists with mixed NHS and private income can borrow based on invoices, not 2 years of accounts.

How lenders treat flight pay and allowances - and how airline staff can borrow more. Includes a borrowing calculator.

How NHS staff can use bank shifts, enhancements and overtime to borrow more - and which lenders count 100% of it.

Level 1, 2 or 3? Which house survey to choose, typical costs, and what to do with the results.

A complete guide for first-time buyers: costs, deposits, borrowing power, mortgage schemes and brokers, explained step by step.

How influencers and content creators can get a mortgage, and how lenders assess platform and brand income.

Porting vs switching, the real costs of moving house, and a step-by-step timeline from valuation to completion.

How lenders assess self-employed income, why one year's accounts can be enough, and how to maximise what you borrow.

On a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa? How UK mortgages work for visa holders and what lenders look for.

How teachers can get a mortgage on fixed-term contracts, as an NQT or ECT, or before the job even starts.

How CIS subcontractors can use gross income, not net profit, to borrow more for a mortgage.

Agreement in principle, approval in principle, AIP or DIP - what it is, how to get one and what it means for your credit score.

There is no minimum credit score for a mortgage. What lenders actually check, and how to get your file ready.

Some lenders will use your new salary from day one with a signed contract. What lenders check when you change jobs.

How limited company directors may be assessed on company profit rather than personal drawings, from one year of accounts.

Everything first-time buyers need to know about mortgages on new build homes, updated for 2026.

Step-by-step: how to download your SA302 and Tax Year Overview from HMRC for a mortgage application.