Mortgage & Protection Guides

Chancellor John Healey delivers the Autumn Budget on Wednesday 28 October, his first since taking the job. Property tax speculation has been running since the summer, and most of it has been wrong. At Drummonds Finance Group the question we are being asked most often is whether to hold off on a purchase or a remortgage until the Budget has been and gone. This sets out what is already law, what has been ruled out, what is still guesswork, and what any of it means for your mort

Found a property that needs so much work a normal lender will not mortgage it? Here are the main UK mortgage, bridging and refurbishment finance options to consider.

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 does shared ownership staircasing work? See 1%, 5% and 10% rules, example costs, rent savings, valuations, mortgages and Stamp Duty.

Life does not always follow the plan you had when you bought your home. A new job in another city, moving in with a partner, working abroad for a couple of years, or a property that will not sell in the current market. Whatever the reason, a lot of homeowners find themselves asking the same question: can I rent my house out while it is still on a residential mortgage? The short answer is not without your lender's permission. The longer answer involves something called consent

The Mortgage Lender (TML) fixed rate ending? Learn product transfer rules, the 19th-of-month deadline, SVR risks and when remortgaging may help.

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

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

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 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

Should you use a mortgage broker or go straight to a bank? Compare lender choice, fees, mortgage rates and when independent advice is worth it.

Understanding How Mortgage Transfers Work in the UK A mortgage transfer, often called a transfer of equity, is the process of changing who owns a property and who is responsible for the mortgage. It is a standard solution during life changes and can be far more straightforward than selling or taking out a brand-new mortgage. Below is a clear, human-focused explanation of how the process works, why people do it, and what lenders look for. What Does a Mortgage Transfer Actually

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