Mortgage Guides

Straightforward explainers on credit issues, income types, affordability, deposits and more.

Browse our most-requested topics below, or use the search to find what you need. Each guide focuses on practical steps and criteria lenders actually use, so you can see what’s realistic and what to fix first.

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All Bad credit Complex income Affordability Process Costs & fees First-time Remortgage
Bad credit

Bad Credit Mortgages — what’s realistic?

How lenders view defaults, CCJs and arrears, and what improves your chances.

8 min readUpdated Sep 2025
 Bad credit

Do older defaults matter less?

Typical age thresholds (e.g. 12/24/36 months) and deposit sweet spots that help.

6 min readUpdated Sep 2025
 Bad credit

Getting a mortgage with a CCJ

Settled vs unsettled, dates and amounts — and which lenders will still consider.

7 min readUpdated Aug 2025
 Complex income

Self-employed: SA302s, Ltd Co & contractors

How underwriters read your numbers — and proof you’ll likely be asked for.

9 min readUpdated Sep 2025
 Complex income

Overtime, commission & bonuses — what counts?

Typical % weightings and look-back periods for variable pay.

5 min readUpdated Jul 2025
 Affordability

How much can I borrow?

Income multiples vs household expenditure — why both matter.

6 min readUpdated Aug 2025
 Process

Bank statements — what lenders look for

Regular commitments, gambling, and one-off transactions explained.

6 min readUpdated Jun 2025
 Costs & fees

Deposits & gifted funds

What counts as your own funds, and the proofs needed for gifts.

5 min readUpdated May 2025
 First-time

First-time buyer — step by step

From Decision in Principle to offer, valuations and solicitors.

7 min readUpdated May 2025
 Remortgage

Remortgaging with adverse

When to fix issues first vs move now — and the paperwork that helps.

6 min readUpdated Jun 2025
 Affordability

Debt consolidation — pros, cons & pitfalls

When it reduces payments, and the longer-term costs to weigh up.

8 min readUpdated Apr 2025

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*As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.