Mortgage & Property — Page 14

Gazumping and Gazundering: What They Are and How to Protect Yourself in 2026

Gazumping and gazundering remain legal in England and Wales because offers aren't binding until exchange. What they are, why they happen, and practical steps to reduce your risk.

James Morgan29 Jun 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Gifting a House Deposit: The Mortgage Paperwork and Inheritance Tax Rules

Gifting a deposit to a family member requires a formal gifted deposit letter for the lender, and can have Inheritance Tax implications for the donor if they don't survive seven years.

Emma Clarke29 Jun 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Later-Life Lending Explained: RIO, Standard Mortgages Past 65, and Equity Release Compared

Later-life lending covers everything from standard mortgages that run past retirement age to Retirement Interest-Only mortgages and equity release. How the options compare.

James Morgan29 Jun 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Lease Forfeiture: Can You Really Lose Your Flat Over Unpaid Service Charges?

Forfeiture lets a freeholder terminate a lease for unpaid charges as small as a few hundred pounds. Why it rarely happens in practice, and the protections leaseholders have.

James Morgan29 Jun 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

The Ban on New-Build Leasehold Houses: What It Means If You're Buying

New-build houses (not flats) sold on a leasehold basis are being phased out under leasehold reform. What the ban covers, why it doesn't apply to flats, and what to check if buying new.

James Morgan29 Jun 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Why Childcare Costs Can Wreck Your Mortgage Affordability Assessment

Lenders deduct committed childcare costs in full from your income before calculating what you can borrow. How this catches parents out, and what to do about it.

James Morgan29 Jun 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Mortgage Arrears: Your Realistic Options Before Repossession Becomes Likely

Missing mortgage payments doesn't mean immediate repossession. What lenders must do first, the realistic options available, and how the FCA's rules protect struggling borrowers.

James Morgan29 Jun 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Mortgage Prisoners: Why Some Borrowers Are Stuck on Expensive SVRs

'Mortgage prisoners' are borrowers unable to remortgage onto a cheaper deal despite paying reliably. Why they get trapped, what's changed, and options for escaping a high SVR.

James Morgan29 Jun 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Mortgage Retentions: When Your Lender Holds Back Money Until Repairs Are Done

A retention means part of your mortgage isn't released until specific repairs are completed. How retentions work, typical triggers, and how to get the held-back funds released.

James Morgan29 Jun 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

Mortgage Valuation vs Homebuyer Survey vs Building Survey: Which Do You Actually Need?

A mortgage valuation is not a survey. RICS Level 1, 2 and 3 surveys explained — what each checks, what they cost, and which one suits your property.

James Morgan29 Jun 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

New Build Warranty Claims: How NHBC Buildmark Cover Actually Works

The NHBC Buildmark warranty covers new-build defects for 10 years, but the two halves of the policy work very differently. How to make a claim and what's excluded.

James Morgan29 Jun 20265 min read

🏠 Mortgage & Property

100% Mortgages and Family Springboard Products: How No-Deposit Lending Actually Works

100% mortgages have returned to the UK market, alongside family springboard and offset products that let relatives secure a deposit without gifting cash outright. How each works and the real risks.

James Morgan29 Jun 20265 min read

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Mortgage & Property — Frequently Asked Questions

What mortgage topics are covered here?

The Mortgage & Property category covers UK mortgage types (fixed, tracker, offset), stamp duty (SDLT in England, LBTT in Scotland, LTT in Wales), first-time buyer schemes, remortgaging, buy-to-let rules, Help to Buy and Shared Ownership. All figures are updated for 2026/27.

How much stamp duty will I pay on a £300,000 home?

In England for 2026/27, on a main residential property: 0% on the first £125,000, 2% on £125,001–£250,000 (£2,500), and 5% on £250,001–£300,000 (£2,500). Total SDLT = £5,000. First-time buyers get relief up to £500,000 (0% on the first £300,000 and 5% above). Use the stamp duty calculator for an exact breakdown.

What is the current Bank of England base rate?

The Bank of England base rate directly affects mortgage rates, particularly trackers and variable-rate products. Use the CalcHub mortgage calculators which display current indicative rates, and check the Bank of England website (bankofengland.co.uk) for the live official rate. The Mortgage & Property blog articles cover each MPC decision and its impact on borrowers.

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How is mortgage affordability assessed?

Lenders typically apply a stress test of 3% above the current rate to check you could afford repayments if rates rose. Most lend 4–4.5x your gross annual income, though some offer up to 5.5x for high earners. Outgoings, credit score and deposit size all affect the final offer. Use the mortgage affordability calculator to estimate your maximum borrowing.

What is a buy-to-let mortgage?

Buy-to-let mortgages are for properties rented out to tenants. They typically require a minimum 25% deposit and the rental income must usually cover 125–145% of the monthly mortgage payment. Mortgage interest relief for landlords has been replaced with a basic-rate tax credit since April 2020. Articles in this category explain the current rules and tax implications.

What are the additional property stamp duty rates?

If you buy a second home or investment property in England, an extra 3% SDLT surcharge applies on top of standard rates. For 2026/27, this means 3% on the first £125,000, 5% on £125,001–£250,000, and 8% on £250,001–£925,000. The surcharge is refunded if you sell your previous main home within 3 years.

Can first-time buyers get help with their deposit?

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme allows first-time buyers to get a 95% LTV mortgage on homes up to £600,000. Shared Ownership lets you buy a 10–75% share and pay rent on the rest. The Lifetime ISA provides a 25% government bonus (up to £1,000/year) to boost your deposit savings. Each scheme has its own eligibility rules covered in the blog articles.

How does remortgaging work?

Remortgaging means switching your mortgage to a new deal, either with your existing lender (product transfer) or a new lender. It is most common when a fixed-rate term ends, as you revert to the higher standard variable rate (SVR). You can also remortgage to release equity, change your term length, or consolidate debt. Remortgaging usually has solicitor and valuation fees.

What is an offset mortgage?

An offset mortgage links your savings account to your mortgage. The savings balance is offset against the mortgage balance so you only pay interest on the difference. For example, a £200,000 mortgage offset against £20,000 savings means you pay interest on £180,000. Useful for higher-rate taxpayers since no interest is earned (and therefore not taxed) on the savings.

Where can I find official guidance on stamp duty?

HMRC publishes SDLT rates at gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax. Revenue Scotland covers LBTT (lrs.gov.uk) and Welsh Revenue Authority covers LTT (gov.wales). The CalcHub stamp duty calculator includes all three systems and is updated after any Budget changes.