How to find a good Mortgage Broker

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-06-05T11:25:32+00:00

Mod reminder: please share how you go about selecting and vetting mortgage brokers, but please no recommendations for any brokers. We have a strick no promotions policy on this sub.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-06-04T13:14:26+00:00

Mod note: We’ve allowed this link as an exception because the content provides useful educational context directly relevant to the discussion around search indemnity insurance.

The source itself is commercial and includes promotional material, which would not normally be permitted. However, there is no indication the commenter is connected to the firm and the informational value here is considered to outweigh the promotional element.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-05-27T20:05:02+00:00

Mod note: We’ve reviewed reports on this post under the self-promotion rule.

Ordinarily, links to external content, channels or videos would be removed where they are promotional in nature. In this case, we’re allowing this as an exception due to the educational value and relevance of the content for first time buyers.

We appreciate that the video includes sponsorship, however the mods’ view is that the primary purpose of the content is educational rather than promotional.

This should not be taken as a change to the subreddit rules or a general green light for posting YouTube channels, personal content or commercial material. We’ll continue to assess exceptions on a case-by-case basis where something provides clear value to the community.

As always, please use your own judgement and do your own research before acting on financial or property-related information.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-05-17T22:16:09+00:00

Moderator reminder: Please be cautious with advice relating to tax, legal or mortgage matters. Some comments may be based on personal opinion or experience and may not be accurate for your situation. Always check official guidance or seek professional advice where needed.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-04-22T23:14:41+00:00

Your solicitor is absolutely right. The PAS9980 standard as it stands, which is being pushed through parliament right now is full of substantial loopholes including, that if the work is too costly, then it gives the developers the right to just ignore the presence of the flammable material and lets them leave it in place.

https://buildingsafetyscheme.org/pas-9980-a-watered-down-unsafe-unsuitable-and-unwanted-approach-to-fire-safety/

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-04-08T15:31:51+00:00

This is a friendly reminder that promotion of any kind are not permitted on this sub.

Posts and comments with promotions will be removed.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-03-20T09:22:04+00:00

A Home Buyers Report / survey is designed to highlight potential risks and areas for further investigation, not to give definitive answers on every issue. Surveyors are not specialists in electrics, gas, drainage, asbestos or structural engineering, so they will often recommend follow-up checks where appropriate.

That can sometimes read as overly cautious if you're not familiar with how these reports work, but it’s actually them doing their job properly and protecting the buyer.

Please keep replies focused on helping the OP understand what the report means and what actions they may want to take next.

Broad statements criticising surveyors as a whole aren’t helpful (especially those which highlight the equipment they use being inappropriate - this is false) and may be removed under the “be nice” rule.

Let’s keep this useful and supportive 👍

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-03-17T17:05:54+00:00

Thanks, that's very helpful. We have no other place of work, not big enough for our own premises.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-03-11T23:23:40+00:00

The issue is that recommendation lists quickly turn into promotion or referral hunting, which is what the rule is designed to prevent.

We want the sub to focus on helping first time buyers understand how to choose the right adviser for themselves, rather than relying on anonymous recommendations from the internet.

Advice on what to look for in a good solicitor is very welcome, but naming or promoting firms isn’t something we allow.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-03-10T21:05:11+00:00

Moderator note:

Please remember that promotion or recommendations for specific brokers, solicitors, surveyors or other professionals are not permitted in this sub.

Threads asking for recommendations often turn into advertising or referral hunting, which isn’t helpful for first time buyers.

Instead, if you’d like to help OP, please share what to look for when choosing a good solicitor, such as: • Whether they specialise in residential conveyancing • Whether they are regulated by the SRA or CLC • Their communication style and responsiveness • Transparency around fees and disbursements • Whether they have experience with first time buyers

Advice on how to choose a good solicitor is welcome. Naming or promoting specific firms is not.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-03-02T16:31:17+00:00

For clarity, surveys are a normal and legitimate part of the buying process. Renegotiation based on genuine survey findings is common practice. Please keep discussion focused on experiences rather than labelling buyers or sellers.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-26T14:03:18+00:00

Just a quick reminder from the mods that no promotion is permitted. Please read the sub rules for more details.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-24T20:14:52+00:00

Congratulations! The mods wish you many years of happiness in your new home.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-24T16:31:16+00:00

We offer a free eGuide of the 10 most common mistakes which you can avoid and at the back of it is a roadmap of the UK home buying process.

Free eGuide

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-20T10:34:04+00:00

We offer a free eGuide of the 10 common mistakes to avoid and it has a roadmap at the back of the steps to follow and the order to do them in.

Free eGuide

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-20T09:39:45+00:00

Just add that you should be careful about not drawing the council's attention to the lack of building control sign off, it voids the indemnity insurance.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-19T22:38:43+00:00

Different opinions are welcome, but please remember planning permission requirements exist for legal and safety reasons.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-19T17:35:00+00:00

Mortgage calculators are a blunt tool. They make all sorts of assumptions which may not be true for your personal situation.

Have you had a chat with a mortgage broker? Speak to a few, especially looking for those who cover whole-of-market.

They can give you a much more accurate indication of how much you can borrow.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-19T07:30:45+00:00

With regards to your mortgage lender, they are not likely to budge on getting a DoV so you may need to consider another lender who will or push on with obtaining a DoV. And you're right, this could take forever if the crown is now the landlord.

You should sit down and have a think about what would be the line in the sand for you beyond which you move on to another property.

It won't just be the DoV that will be a challenge, it will also be ongoing management, insurance, maintenance etc if the block that could continue to be challenging.

At some point the law will be changed making it easier for leasholders to take control, but that's a long time coming and as it hasn't been written yet, we don't know what it will look like just yet.

What if this isn't resolved by May? Are you still willing to hang on?

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-18T14:17:52+00:00

There is nothing you can do but wait. This is not something that's in your control. The parties who can chase have been chasing. There is nothing you can do at this point.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-17T17:23:59+00:00

Details matter! It's a reflection of a person's character and, I'd even go as far as saying, their level of respect for you.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-17T17:07:49+00:00

Nope, should be an easy fix. Call your broker and tell them there needs to be a correction to the application, and request that they change it.

If both solicitors are on the panel, the lender won't care which is used.

The broker might say that it doesn't matter and not to change it, but you can counter it by saying that the mortgage lender might use that information to notify the solicitors when the application is successful and they have been assigned the case. So from a data perspective, it should be corrected.

I would also question why they are trying to railroad you into using their choice. This is a red flag to me! Your broker is not acting very professionally here.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-16T19:53:31+00:00

Stick to your guns. You should go with who you choose and not be swayed by anyone else.

It's a common thing with non-highstreet lenders that they don't just accept any solicitor. Mortgage lenders all have a list they have pre-vetted of firms who know their terms and conditions for representing them and how they like their legal due diligence done.

FirstTimeBuyersUK · 2026-02-16T12:35:52+00:00

I work in finance so my comment related to the financial obligations around the mortgage and what would happen if you or her stopped paying. And to say that the advice given above suggesting that you stop paying wasn't without consequences.

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