Mortgage guides

Short, sourced guides to the situations that most often need a mortgage broker.

Last checked 13 September 2026.

• How to choose a mortgage brokerHow to check a UK mortgage broker on the FCA Register, what it must tell you about its range of lenders and fees, and the questions to ask before you go ahead.
• Mortgage declinedWhat UK mortgage lenders must tell you when they reject your application, how to see what a lender saw, and when to move from your bank to a specialist broker.
• Cifas markers and mortgagesHow a Cifas marker affects a UK mortgage application, the types of marker and how long they stay, how to see if you have one, and how to challenge it.
• Mortgages with bad creditHow county court judgments and other credit problems affect a UK mortgage application, how long a CCJ stays on the register, and brokers who mention adverse credit.
• Mortgages for the self-employedHow lenders assess self-employed income for a UK mortgage, the documents usually asked for, and brokers who mention self-employed mortgages.
• First-time buyer mortgagesWhat first-time buyers in the UK need to know about deposits, stamp duty relief and Lifetime ISAs, plus brokers who mention first-time buyers.
• Buy-to-let mortgagesHow buy-to-let mortgages differ from residential ones, the extra stamp duty on additional properties, and brokers who mention buy-to-let.
• Remortgage guideWhen to start looking for a remortgage deal, how product transfers differ from switching lender, what early repayment charges apply and what a broker must tell you.
• Contractor mortgagesHow mortgage lenders assess contractor income, the day-rate calculation method, what IR35 status means for your application, and the evidence you need.
• Agreement in PrincipleWhat an Agreement in Principle is, why the difference between a hard and soft credit search matters, how long it lasts, and how to move from an AiP to a full mortgage application.
• Credit score and mortgagesWhy mortgage lenders don't use your Experian or Equifax score, how to get your full credit file under the Consumer Credit Act, and what to do before you apply.
• Mortgage broker feesHow UK mortgage brokers are paid, what the FCA requires them to tell you about fees and commission, and what to check before you agree.
• Divorce and mortgagesWhat happens to a joint mortgage during divorce, how to remove a name from a mortgage, the stamp duty on a transfer of equity, and how to get a sole mortgage on one income.
• Gifted depositHow lenders treat a gifted deposit, what must go in the gift letter, what anti-money laundering checks apply, and what minimum deposit you still need from your own funds.
• Should you use the estate agent's recommended broker?Why estate agents recommend mortgage brokers, what referral fees they receive, what the FCA and Estate Agents Act require to be disclosed, and how to decide whether to use them or not.
• Documents for a mortgage applicationEvery document you will need for a UK mortgage application: payslips, SA302, bank statements, ID, proof of deposit and more, with where to get each one.
• What happens at a mortgage fact-findWhat a mortgage broker asks at a fact-find, why each section matters, what to prepare, and what happens after the meeting.
• New build mortgagesHow new build mortgages differ from standard purchases, why lenders limit the loan-to-value, what to check about developer incentives, and the exchange deadline problem.

General information, not advice. Mortgage Brokers List is a directory and a set of free tools. Only an FCA-authorised adviser can recommend a mortgage for your circumstances. See our editorial standards.