Mortgage & Protection Guides

A lot has changed very quickly for UK mortgage borrowers over the past six weeks. Since the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on 28 February 2026, mortgage rates have jumped, hundreds of products have been pulled from the market and the Bank of England rate cuts that everyone was expecting have been put on hold. If you are coming to the end of a fixed-rate deal, thinking about remortgaging, or trying to buy a home right now, this guide explains what is happ

If you have just received a letter from The Mortgage Lender telling you your fixed rate is coming to an end, do not panic. But do act quickly. This guide walks you through your options, what happens if you do nothing, and how to make sure you do not end up paying more than you should. First Things First: Why Has TML Written to You? The Mortgage Lender is required to let you know when your mortgage deal is coming to an end. They will typically write to you at least one month b

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments most people will ever make. Yet for all the time spent comparing mortgage rates, reviewing solicitor quotes and saving for a deposit, protection is often the last thing people think about, and sometimes not at all. At Drummonds Finance Group, we speak to homeowners and buyers across Oxford, Bicester and the UK every week. One of the most consistent things we find is that people either have no protection in place, or th

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

Summary: Mortgages for flats above shops offer convenience and passive income. But they are harder to secure due to higher fire risk, noise, mixed-use classification, and lower demand. Improve approval chances by using a specialist broker, offering a larger deposit, and providing clear lease details early. ---------------------------------- Are you a businessman who is looking for a passive income, or operate your shop while living in the same building? Then, mortgages above

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

Getting onto the property ladder has never been easy, and for a lot of young buyers right now, it is genuinely hard. Mortgage affordability is tight, property prices in areas like Oxford and Bicester are well above the national average, and saving a deposit while paying rent takes years. Many parents want to help, but going on the deeds of their child's property brings its own complications. A joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage, which solves this problem neatly, lets you

Many people across the UK have mortgages with Birmingham Midshires (BM Solutions) , especially landlords and buy-to-let investors. But what many do not realise is that when your current deal ends, you cannot contact BMS directly to switch your mortgage . Instead, you must use an intermediary or mortgage broker. At Drummonds Finance Group, we specialise in helping Birmingham Midshires clients switch to a better rate quickly and easily . In this blog, we answer the most common

Contact Us now If you're searching for a mortgage in principle (also called an Agreement in Principle or AIP), you're likely about to start viewing properties, or you’ve just found one you want to offer on. In today’s fast-moving market, having your mortgage in principle ready is more important than ever. In this post, we’ll explain exactly what a mortgage in principle is, why it matters, how it helps your offer stand out, and how we at Drummonds Finance Group can help you

The short answer In many cases, yes. A mortgage broker can often find you a better deal than going straight to your bank . That might be a lower rate, lower fees, or simply a lender that suits your situation better. At Drummonds Finance Group , we spend our time comparing the market properly, not just showing you what one bank is willing to offer. Why brokers often find better mortgage deals We look at more than one lender Your bank can only offer its own mortgages. A whole o

If you have bad credit and you're wondering whether getting a mortgage is even worth attempting, the short answer is yes, and a broker is almost always the right starting point. Bad credit does not automatically close the door on homeownership or remortgaging. What it does is narrow the field of suitable lenders, and that is precisely where a specialist broker adds the most value. What Counts as Bad Credit? Bad credit is not a single thing. It covers a wide spectrum of credit

If you’re unsure whether to buy or rent a home in 2025 , you're not alone. With fluctuating interest rates, a shifting property market,...

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...