Mortgage & Protection Guides

The Bank of England held the Bank Rate at 3.75% on Thursday 17 September. That is the sixth hold of 2026, and the rate has now sat at 3.75% since December last year. At Drummonds Finance Group, we have spent this week fielding calls from clients whose fixed rates end over the winter, and the question is always the same one: do I move now or wait and see? This is what the decision actually changes, and what it does not. The headline is dull. What sits underneath it is not. The

How Long After a Default or CCJ Can You Get a Mortgage? When people ask us about getting a mortgage with bad credit, the question is almost never really "can I?". It is "how long do I have to wait?". And the honest answer is that there is no single waiting period, because lenders do not treat adverse credit as one thing. A £150 default on a mobile phone contract from four years ago and a £6,000 CCJ registered last month are completely different cases, even though both technic

Applying for a mortgage can feel overwhelming, especially when lenders start asking for documents. Knowing what is required in advance can make the process far smoother and reduce delays or stress. While exact requirements vary between lenders and individual circumstances, most mortgage applications in the UK follow a similar structure. Below is a clear guide to the documents you are likely to need and why lenders ask for them. Proof of income Proof of income is one of the mo

If you are self-employed and trying to get a mortgage, you have probably heard something along the lines of "it is harder for you than someone who is employed." That is partially true, but it is also a bit misleading. The reality is that self-employed mortgages are not harder; they are just different. The lender is doing the same assessment; they just need to look at your income differently. And how they do that varies enormously from one lender to the next. This guide explai

These are the questions we get asked most often at Drummonds Finance Group. Some are from first-time buyers just starting out. Some are from landlords, people coming off fixed rates or borrowers who have hit a wall somewhere in the process. We have tried to answer each one properly rather than just giving you a vague two-line response. If your specific situation is not covered here, call us and we will give you a straight answer. 1. How much can I borrow? Most lenders use a m

If you have ever considered buying a flat in a block with cladding, you already know how confusing the EWS1 situation can be. Some people say you need it. Some say you do not. Some say it is impossible to get. Others say their mortgage sailed through without anyone mentioning it. So, what is actually true in 2026, and can you still get a mortgage without this form? Let’s clear it all up in simple, friendly language. So What Is the EWS1 Form and Why Does Everyone Mention It An

If your mortgage deal is coming to an end, you are in good company. Thousands of homeowners across Oxford, Bicester and the wider UK are facing the same decision right now: do you fix again, jump on a tracker, or sit tight and see what happens? It is one of the most common questions we get at Drummonds Finance Group, and the honest answer is that it depends on your circumstances. But there is a lot we can explain about the current market and what each option actually means fo

Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. Whether you are a first-time buyer, moving home, or investing in buy-to-let, there are several key things you need to think about before committing. At Drummonds Finance Group, we speak to buyers across Oxford, Bicester and the wider UK every day, and many of the same questions come up time and time again. Getting these right early on can save you money, reduce stress, and help you avoid costly mi

Buying a home is exciting, but it can also feel confusing with all the jargon you come across. Two phrases that often cause a bit of head scratching are Mortgage in Principle and Full Mortgage Offer. They sound similar, but they mean very different things, and it is worth understanding the difference so you know where you stand in the buying process. What is a Mortgage in Principle? A Mortgage in Principle, sometimes called an Agreement in Principle or Decision in Principle,

It’s Not Just About Salary Let’s be honest, applying for a mortgage can be a confusing process. One of the first things a lender will ask...

Many people assume that once you hit your 60s, your chances of getting a mortgage drop dramatically. In reality, age isn’t the barrier...

If you are considering buying a rental property, one of the first decisions you face is whether to purchase it in your personal name or through a limited company. It is a question we get asked regularly at Drummonds Finance Group, and there is no universal right answer. What works well for one landlord can be the wrong structure for another. This guide explains the key differences from both a mortgage and a tax perspective so you can have a more informed conversation with you

If your mortgage fixed rate is ending in the next few months, you could not have picked a more eventful time to be making this decision. Rates that looked like they were heading down at the start of 2026 have moved sharply upward following the Iran conflict in February, and the Bank of England rate cuts that borrowers were counting on have been put on hold. This guide explains what remortgaging means, when it makes sense, how it compares to a product transfer and what to do r

Helping NHS Workers Secure the Right Mortgage Nationwide Are you an NHS professional looking to buy your first home, move house, or remortgage? At Drummonds Finance Group , we specialise in NHS mortgages and understand how to make your unique income structure work in your favour. Whether you’re a nurse, doctor, paramedic, healthcare assistant, midwife or support staff—we’re here to help you secure the mortgage you deserve. With access to over 100 UK lenders , including many

Finding a mortgage can be challenging, especially if part or all of your income includes Universal Credit. But the good news is that there are a number of lenders who accept Universal Credit as part of your income assessment in 2025. At Drummonds Finance Group, we regularly help clients secure mortgages while receiving Universal Credit. But it’s important to understand that lender criteria can be complex and change frequently, so getting professional advice is crucial. ✅ Whic

Drummonds Finance Group is a Mortgage Broker Firm based in Oxford and Bicester. We want to provide you with some developments happening all around Oxfordshire. Hopefully, this will help you decide what area might be a good or bad property investment. Oxfordshire is experiencing a significant wave of residential, commercial, infrastructure, educational, healthcare, and innovation-driven development. Here's a sector-by-sector overview of the most impactful projects: 🏡 Major Ho

Whether you're a first-time buyer, moving home, or remortgaging, one of the first questions you're likely to ask is: "How much can I borrow for a mortgage?" In 2026, with interest rates still fluctuating and lenders tightening affordability criteria, understanding how borrowing capacity is calculated is more critical than ever. In this blog, we explain what lenders look for, how much you could borrow, and how to maximise your mortgage options, with expert guidance from Drummo