Mortgage and protection advice
Extend Finance Blog
Practical articles about mortgages, protection, buying costs, and the UK property market.
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Buying a flat or house in the UK to rent: a buy-to-let guide
A practical guide to buying a UK property to rent, covering buy-to-let mortgages, deposits, rental coverage, tax, landlord duties and investment risks.
Buying a house at auction in the UK. What do you need to know?
Buying a house at auction in the UK: understand contracts, legal packs, surveys, bridging finance, insurance and the full cost before you bid.
Freehold or leasehold: what UK homebuyers should check
Compare freehold and leasehold, understand lease terms and ongoing charges, and check the England and Wales rules before buying a home.
Right to Buy in England: buying your council home
Check Right to Buy eligibility in England, how discounts work, the application process and mortgage, ownership and resale costs.
Why a UK property could be refused a mortgage
Find out how construction, condition, lease length, property use and flood risk can affect a UK mortgage, and what to check before applying.
Completion day when buying a house in the UK
What happens on completion day in the UK? Understand payments, keys, insurance, delays and the differences between each country's buying process.
Conveyancing - what do you need to know?
What conveyancing is, how long it takes, what affects the cost and how to choose a solicitor or licensed conveyancer when buying a home in England and Wales.
Deposit for buying a property in the UK
How much deposit you need to buy a home in the UK, how the deposit size affects mortgage rates, and options such as a Lifetime ISA, shared ownership or a 100% mortgage.
Do I need life insurance? A UK guide to life cover
Find out what life cover is, who may need it, how much cover you need and what term to choose, and what affects the cost of life insurance in the UK.
Is a mortgage worth it in the UK?
Compare buying with a mortgage and renting in the UK, including interest, ownership costs, equity, inflation and the risks of changing rates.
Does hire purchase increase creditworthiness?
Hire purchase is unlikely to increase how much you can borrow, but paying on time can help your credit history. See what lenders look at before a mortgage.
Early Repayment Charge on a mortgage in the UK
What an early repayment charge (ERC) is, how it is usually calculated, when it applies to overpayments and remortgages, and ways to reduce or avoid it.
Gas Safety for Tenants: Your Landlord's Duties and What to Do in an Emergency
What landlords must do on gas safety in Great Britain, what tenants can do, and how to turn off the gas and who to call if you smell gas or suspect a leak.
Electoral Roll registration versus mortgage application
How being on the electoral register helps lenders verify your identity and address, who can register in the UK, and what to do if you can't.
End of Help to Buy program. 3 alternatives you need to know!
Help to Buy: Equity Loan closed to new applications in October 2022. Compare three alternatives: Shared Ownership, First Homes and the Lifetime ISA.
Family Deposit Mortgages in the UK: How They Work and Risks
How family savings held as security can let you borrow up to 100% LTV, when the money is returned, the main risks and the gifted deposit alternative.
First Time Buyer in the UK - how does it work?
Who counts as a first-time buyer in the UK, how Stamp Duty relief works, how a Lifetime ISA can help and which home-buying schemes each UK nation offers.
Fixed or variable interest rate in the UK – pros and cons
Fixed or variable mortgage rate in the UK? Learn how fixed, tracker and standard variable rates (SVR) work and the pros and cons of each before you choose.
Fixed rate mortgages: how they work and whether one suits you
How UK fixed rate mortgages work: common fix lengths, pros and cons, overpayments, early repayment charges and what happens when your deal ends.
How are mortgage interest rates set in the UK?
Learn how Bank Rate, market pricing, loan-to-value and product choice affect UK mortgage rates, and how to compare rates, fees and APRC.
The costs of buying a flat or house in the UK
Plan for the deposit, transaction tax, legal work, mortgage charges and optional services when buying a home in the UK.
How to apply for a mortgage in the UK: 8 practical steps
A practical guide to preparing and applying for a UK mortgage, from affordability and documents to an AIP, underwriting, offer and completion.
How to save for a mortgage deposit in the UK
A practical guide to setting a mortgage-deposit target, using a Lifetime ISA and choosing accessible savings.
How to choose a mortgage in the UK
Compare UK mortgage options, including deposits, repayment methods, fixed and variable rates, fees and early repayment charges.
How to improve your credit score? 9 important tips for borrowers
Practical ways to improve your UK credit score before a mortgage: paying on time, cutting debt, fixing errors, soft searches and the electoral roll.
How to increase the value of property in the UK? 9 tips
Nine practical ways to add value to your UK home before selling, from decluttering and repairs to extensions, plus how to check your asking price.
How to pay lower mortgage instalments: 6 tips
Ways to lower your mortgage payments: remortgaging when a deal ends, overpaying within your allowance, choosing your term and cutting insurance and legal costs.
How to save on interest with an Offset Mortgage?
An offset mortgage uses linked savings to reduce the interest you pay. Learn how it compares with overpaying, who it suits and its drawbacks.
Household budget guide for UK mortgage borrowers
Plan your household budget before buying a home: set a savings goal, review spending, reduce other borrowing and choose a budgeting tool that suits you.
Critical illness insurance - what is it?
What critical illness cover is, how a claim is paid, which conditions are usually covered and what affects the premium - a UK guide.
Insurance for a child in the UK. What do you need to know about it?
How children's critical illness cover works in the UK: adding a child to your policy, what a claim pays, which illnesses are covered and what to check.
Is buying a home in England a good investment?
Is buying a home in England a good investment? What current prices, deposit size, buying costs and how long you plan to stay mean for buying versus renting.
Is it worth buying a house in the UK? What to weigh up
Is it worth buying a house in the UK? Weigh up interest rates, house prices, rents, stamp duty and your own circumstances before deciding to rent or buy.
Is it worth having life insurance on a UK mortgage?
Lenders in the UK do not generally require customers to have life insurance, and it is an individual borrower's decision to buy it.
Is it worth overpaying a mortgage in the UK?
Learn how overpaying your mortgage affects interest and term, how overpayment allowances and early repayment charges work, and when saving may be better.
Is termination of a mortgage contract by the bank possible?
When can a UK lender take action on your mortgage? The FCA arrears protections, and what happens if your lender goes to court for possession of your home.
IVA, another way to consolidate debts in the UK
Some of our clients are struggling with debt.
Everything you need to know about Professional Mortgages in the UK
Professional mortgages can offer qualifying professionals higher income multiples at some lenders. Who is eligible, how they differ and what to check.
Holding companies for UK landlords: tax and risk explained
How a holding company structure works for UK landlords: the dividend exemption, group relief, separate SPVs, and the costs and trade-offs to weigh up.
Property prices in the UK: winter 2025
A snapshot of UK property prices in winter 2025: UK House Price Index, Rightmove, Nationwide and Halifax figures, Bank Rate and the April 2025 Stamp Duty changes.
Remortgage step by step: how to switch your mortgage
A step-by-step guide to remortgaging and comparing costs. Whether switching could save you money depends on the terms, fees and your circumstances.
Retirement Interest-Only Mortgage (RIO) - a mortgage for older borrowers
A retirement interest-only mortgage (RIO) lets older borrowers pay only the interest each month; the loan is usually repaid from the sale of the home.
Self-build mortgage in the UK? It doesn't have to be difficult!
How self-build mortgages work in the UK: stage payments, deposits, build costs, VAT reclaim and remortgaging once your home is finished.
Selling a Property in the UK: Timescales and Formalities
How long selling a property in the UK takes, from valuation and conveyancing to selling with a mortgage, estate agent fees and finding a buyer.
Living and working in one property – Semi-Commercial mortgage
Sometimes it happens that there is a need to use one property for both residential and commercial purposes.
What Is Shared Ownership? How It Works in England
Shared Ownership in England explained: buy a 25%-75% share (10% on some homes), pay rent on the rest, check who can apply and how to buy more shares later.
Smoking and life insurance in the UK
How UK insurers define a smoker, how smoking affects life insurance premiums, why you must answer health questions accurately, and what changes when you quit.
Stamp Duty Land Tax: current rates and April 2025 changes
If you are buying property in England or Northern Ireland, you will most likely be liable to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax, or transaction tax.
Home-buying schemes in Wales, Scotland & NI (2026)
Help to Buy – Wales, Shared Ownership, Co-Ownership, LIFT/OMSE and first-time buyer tax rules in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland explained.
Three ways to multiply your savings
Three ways to grow your savings: buy-to-let property, dividend shares in a stocks and shares ISA, and interest-paying savings accounts, with their main risks.
Trusts in the UK: types, life insurance and Inheritance Tax
What a trust is, the settlor, trustee and beneficiary roles, the main UK trust types, life insurance in trust and how trusts interact with Inheritance Tax.
Types of life insurance in the UK
Compare the main types of life insurance in the UK – level, decreasing and increasing term, whole of life, joint and over-50s cover – and how to choose.
UK home extension loan. What do you need to know about it?
How to finance a UK home extension with savings, a credit card, a personal loan or a remortgage, plus typical build costs and the trade-offs of each.
Fracture insurance - is it worth it?
How fracture cover works in the UK: add-on options, how payouts and annual limits work, typical exclusions and when it may be worth having.
Divorce and a joint mortgage in the UK: what to do
Divorce doesn't end a joint mortgage. Learn who stays liable and your options – sell, buy out or remortgage – under the rules in England and Wales.
Self-employed mortgages in the UK: questions and answers
What self-employed mortgage applicants in the UK need to know: documents, how lenders assess income, deposits, tax arrears and home-buying schemes.
UK Mortgage - key information
What a mortgage is, the main types of UK mortgage, what lenders check before lending, and how to find a suitable mortgage with or without an adviser.
How much do you need to earn for a mortgage in the UK? (2026)
There is no single salary you need for a UK mortgage. See how lenders assess affordability, rough income multiples and what a median-earning couple might borrow.
What Are the Top Alternatives to Traditional Retirement Savings?
UK alternatives to retirement savings: equity release, property, dividend shares, P2P lending, annuities and downsizing, with the risks of each weighed up.
PMI - what do you need to know about Private Medical Insurance?
What private medical insurance (PMI) is, what it usually covers and excludes, how to buy a policy and what affects the price in the UK.
What is a bridging loan and when is it used?
What a bridging loan is, how it works in the UK, what it costs and when it is used, for example buying a home before selling, auctions and renovations.
Guarantor Mortgage – A Mortgage with a Financial Guarantor
How guarantor mortgages work in the UK: what the guarantor is liable for, risks to their home or savings, how to remove a guarantor, and alternatives such as JBSP.
What is a joint mortgage and when does it pay off?
Joint mortgages explained: how lenders assess joint affordability, your ownership options and how buying jointly affects first-time buyer stamp duty relief.
What is a mortgage stress test?
How UK lenders stress-test mortgage affordability, what changed in August 2022, how buy-to-let interest coverage ratios work, and what to do if you fail.
What is a second charge mortgage and why is it used?
A second charge mortgage lets you borrow against your home without replacing your existing mortgage. Learn how much you can borrow and the risks.
What is affordability? All about creditworthiness in the UK
Learn how UK lenders assess mortgage affordability, how income multiples work, how different types of income are treated and how to improve your affordability.
Consent to Let: rent out your home on a residential mortgage
Consent to let is your lender's permission to rent out a home bought with a residential mortgage. Learn how long it lasts, what it can cost and how to apply.
What is conveyancing and what do you need to know about it?
What conveyancing is, who can do it, the main stages, what affects the cost and how long it can take when buying a home in England and Wales.
What is Debt-to-Income ratio?
Learn what the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is, how to calculate it from your monthly debt repayments and gross income, and how UK mortgage lenders use it.
What is a decision in principle?
A decision in principle shows how much a lender may lend before a full application. Learn how long it takes and lasts, and if it affects your credit score.
What is the Financial Ombudsman Service?
Learn what the Financial Ombudsman Service does, how to complain to the business first and then to the FOS, and current award limits of up to £455,000.
What is the First Homes Scheme and how do I use it?
First Homes is an England-only scheme selling new-build homes to first-time buyers at 30-50% off. Learn who is eligible and how to apply.
Let to Buy – What is it and when should you consider it?
Let to Buy means letting your current home and buying a new one. Learn how the buy-to-let switch works, how lenders assess rent and which costs to check.
What is mortgage porting?
Mortgage porting lets you move your existing mortgage deal to a new home. Learn how it works, why lender approval matters, what it can cost and when it makes sense.
What is mortgage underwriting and how does the process work?
Learn what mortgage underwriting is, what lenders check before making a mortgage offer and which factors affect how long the underwriting process takes.
What is Open Banking and how does it help with credit scoring in the UK?
What Open Banking is, how consent and security work, and how lenders and credit reference agencies can use your bank data for mortgages and credit scores.
What is a remortgage and how does it work?
What remortgaging means, how it works when your deal ends, why another lender may offer a lower rate, and the fees and charges to weigh up before switching.
Shared Ownership Resale: How Buying a Resale Home Works
How shared ownership resale homes work in England: who can apply, what share you buy, rent, staircasing and costs.
What is Stamp Duty Land Tax? Rates, reliefs and how to pay
Stamp Duty Land Tax explained: current SDLT rates, first-time buyer relief, the 5% additional-property and 2% non-resident surcharges, and the 14-day deadline.
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI): how the loan works
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) is a DWP loan towards mortgage interest for people on certain benefits, repaid when you sell or transfer your home.
What Is LTV on a Mortgage? Loan-to-Value Explained
Learn what loan-to-value (LTV) means on a UK mortgage, how to calculate it, how it links to your deposit and why lenders price rates in LTV bands.
Transfer of Equity in the UK – everything you need to know
What a transfer of equity is, when it is used, how lender consent works, and when Stamp Duty or Inheritance Tax may apply if you add or remove an owner.
What to ask your mortgage adviser?
Two key questions to ask a mortgage adviser: which lenders and products they can access, and what else they can help with when you buy a home.
What to expect from your first mortgage broker meeting in the UK
Find out what happens at your first meeting with a UK mortgage broker: what they will ask, which documents to prepare and which questions to ask.
When will an insurer not pay out on your life insurance policy in the UK?
Why UK life insurance claims can be refused, from non-disclosure and exclusions to unpaid premiums, and how to complain to the insurer and the Financial Ombudsman.
When is it worth taking out a mortgage in the UK? We explain
When is it worth taking out a mortgage in the UK? How interest rates, the time of year, your deposit size and family plans affect when to buy.
Where should you avoid buying a house in the UK?
Check crime levels, local schools, the local economy and flood risk before buying a house in the UK, so you avoid areas that may be a poor investment.
Why do I need income protection insurance?
What income protection insurance is, who it suits, how deferred and benefit periods work, what affects premiums and why Statutory Sick Pay may not be enough.
Why is insurance a good financial decision? 4 reasons
Why protection insurance can be worth it: an overview of home insurance, life cover, critical illness cover and income protection, and when to consider them.
Why should you do an insurance review? 8 reasons
Eight reasons to review your insurance policies: rising costs, life changes, renewal prices, new products and how a broker review works in the UK.
Will in the UK - why is it worth making one?
Why making a will in the UK matters: protecting your family, appointing guardians, property and mortgages, and how to make a valid will in England and Wales.
Will interest rates on mortgages in the UK increase?
As a legally operating credit broker in the UK, we must inform our customers about the risk of interest rate increases and, consequently, increases in thei...
Wills vs Trusts in the UK: How to Pass On Your Estate
Wills vs trusts in the UK: how each works, how Inheritance Tax applies, the residence nil rate band and when a trust may suit your estate plan.
7 steps to buying property in the UK
Plan your UK home purchase: budget, documents, mortgage checks, surveys, conveyancing and completion, with key differences between UK legal systems.
Home buying schemes in England: 2026 guide
Compare home buying schemes in England, including Shared Ownership and First Homes, plus first-time buyer tax relief, Lifetime ISA rules and key costs.
How to set up a Checkmyfile account and download your report
Learn how to register with Checkmyfile, download your credit report, check subscription costs and cancel before renewal.
How does BMI affect the cost of life insurance?
Find out how BMI can affect UK life insurance premiums, why insurers assess applicants differently and what information you may need for a quote.
How to buy a house in the UK: a step-by-step guide
Plan your budget and mortgage, search for a property, arrange surveys and legal work, and understand the different buying stages across the UK.
How to check your credit score and report in the UK
Find out how to access free UK credit reports, understand different credit scores, check your records and dispute errors before applying for a mortgage.
How to choose an insurance broker in the UK
Check an insurance broker’s FCA status, advice service, insurer panel, fees, policy terms and complaints process before choosing cover.
Mortgage legal issues: title, leasehold and joint ownership
Understand title problems, leasehold charges and joint ownership disputes, with guidance on legal advice and complaints in England and Wales.
Lasting power of attorney in England and Wales
A clear guide to lasting powers of attorney in England and Wales: the two types, choosing attorneys, signing, registration, duties and mortgage considerations.
Mortgage Broker in Coventry
Mortgage advice for buyers and homeowners in Coventry. Learn what to discuss with an adviser, which documents to prepare and how to contact Extend Finance.
Mortgage product fees vs fee-free deals: how to compare them
Understand mortgage product, booking and broker fees, and compare fee-paying and fee-free deals on cost, flexibility and your plans.
Mortgages for renovation properties in the UK
Buying a home that needs renovation? Learn when a standard mortgage may work, how specialist finance differs and what to check before borrowing.
Mortgage for commercial property in the UK
How UK commercial mortgages work, including owner-occupier and investment lending, lender checks, deposits and regulatory limits.
Mortgage Guarantee Scheme: 5% deposits and eligibility
Understand the UK Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, deposit requirements, eligibility and what the government guarantee means for lenders and borrowers.
Mortgage in the UK and changing jobs
Changing jobs during a UK mortgage application? Learn when to tell your lender, how probation and pay changes matter, and what documents may be needed.
Mortgage in the UK and moving abroad
Moving abroad with a UK mortgage: understand the options for selling, letting or retaining your property.
Mortgage in the UK – questions and answers (Part 1)
Answers to common UK home-buying questions about deposits, mortgage documents, fees, affordability and property taxes across the four UK nations.
Mortgage in the UK – questions and answers (Part 3)
Answers to UK mortgage questions about overseas property, shared ownership, deposits, legal costs, age limits and borrowing, with national differences explained.
Mortgage interest – key information
Learn how UK mortgage interest works and how to compare rates, fees, APRC and repayment options.
Mortgage jargon made easy
A plain-English UK mortgage jargon guide to rates, APRC, LTV, repayment options, fees and key property-buying terms.
No-deposit mortgages in the UK: options and risks
Explore no-deposit mortgage options, Skipton Track Record criteria, family support, buying costs and the risks of borrowing at 100% loan-to-value.
Checkmyfile credit report errors: how to correct them
Find out how to dispute errors on your Checkmyfile credit report, understand payment markers and use a notice of correction when an explanation is needed.
Negative equity in the UK: mortgage options
Understand negative equity, how to calculate it, and what it can mean for remortgaging, selling your home and dealing with a mortgage shortfall.
UK mortgage calculator
Estimate UK mortgage repayments from your property value, deposit, interest rate and term, with a worked example and clear calculator limitations.
How long does it take to buy a house in the UK?
Plan a house purchase in months, not to a guaranteed date. Understand the mortgage, conveyancing and national legal stages that can affect timing.
Home insurance refused in the UK: reasons and next steps
Been refused home insurance? Learn what insurers check, when specialist cover may help, and what to confirm before buying a UK home or switching policies.
Buying a house in Manchester step by step
Buying a house in Manchester: compare areas and local prices, plan your budget, arrange a mortgage and understand conveyancing through to completion.
Buying a house in Northern Ireland: process, costs and schemes
Buying a house in Northern Ireland: understand the purchase process, SDLT, upfront costs, domestic rates and local home ownership schemes.
Buying a house in Scotland: offers, mortgages and LBTT
Understand offers over, Home Reports, missives, mortgage deposits and LBTT when buying a house in Scotland, with practical steps and costs to consider.
Buying a house in Wales: tax, schemes and the buying process
Buying a home in Wales: understand Land Transaction Tax, Welsh support schemes, rental rules, mortgages and the costs before you commit.
Buying a property in the UK: a step-by-step guide
Plan your UK home purchase: budget, mortgage, surveys, legal checks and completion, with the key differences between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Buying a home in the UK without a deposit in 2026
Can you buy a home in the UK with no deposit? Understand specialist mortgages, family support, upfront costs and the risks before deciding.
Buying or renting a home in the UK? Pros and cons
Compare the costs, flexibility and risks of buying or renting in the UK, including deposits, maintenance and tenancy rules across the four nations.
Can a limited company get a buy-to-let mortgage in the UK?
Yes. A limited company can get a buy-to-let mortgage, but lender criteria, personal guarantees, deposits, repayment plans and the company's tax position all need careful consideration.
Getting a mortgage in the UK: 7 myths explained
Explore seven myths about getting a mortgage in the UK, covering deposits, credit history, age, self-employment, costs and changing jobs.
Holiday Let Mortgages explained
Understand holiday let mortgage criteria, rental income checks, permissions, insurance, tax and the risks of changing how you let your property.
How do changes in interest rates affect mortgage repayments?
See how interest rate changes affect UK mortgage payments, with fixed and variable rate explanations, worked examples and options when your deal ends.
Life is unexpected: understanding protection insurance
Understand life insurance, income protection and critical illness cover in the UK, including their differences, exclusions and policy limits.
Lifetime ISA - what do you need to know? Terms and limits for 2026
Lifetime ISA rules for 2026/27: eligibility, the £4,000 allowance, 25% bonus, first-home conditions and withdrawal charges.
Missed mortgage payments in the UK: what to do
Missed a mortgage payment? Find out how to contact your lender, explore support, protect essential spending and get free debt advice in the UK.
Mortgage in the UK – questions and answers (Part 2)
Answers to UK mortgage questions about deposits, eligibility, repayment options, interest rates, application times and choosing a mortgage adviser.
What is the Land Registry in the UK?
What HM Land Registry does in England and Wales, what a title register shows, the current registration fees and how long registration takes.
Debt consolidation in the UK – the best methods
Further advance, second charge, unsecured loan or remortgage? Compare UK debt consolidation options, their risks and costs, and where to get free debt advice.
Death of a borrower with a mortgage in the UK
A mortgage is often a commitment lasting up to 30 years.
Final mortgage payment in UK - this is what you need to know
Completing a mortgage is a big moment.
What are the differences between mortgage offers in the UK?
Compare mortgage rates, product fees, early repayment charges, affordability and property criteria before choosing an offer.
What is the easiest bank in the UK to get a mortgage from?
Wondering which UK bank is the easiest to get a mortgage from?
Everything you need to know about Consumer Duty
On 31 July 2023, the UK financial market had to comply with a package of new changes introduced by the authorities.
Insurance for dog and cat in the UK - you need to know this
You become responsible forever for what you have tamed.
Interest rate increase in the UK. How will it affect the mortgage market?
How Bank Rate changes can affect tracker, standard variable and fixed-rate mortgages, and what to compare before choosing a product.
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Extend Finance is a mortgage broker regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our registration number is 792412 — you can verify this at register.fca.org.uk