Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
What is Service Charge and Ground Rent? And What Does Leasehold Mean?
If you're thinking about buying a flat, you’ll quickly come across three terms that can feel a bit confusing at first. These terms are service charge, ground rent, and leasehold. They’re all important, not just for understanding your long-term costs, but also when...
Universal Credit For Mortgage Applications Accepted By TSB
TSB has officially announced that it will now accept Universal Credit for mortgage applications as a source of income in residential mortgage affordability assessments. The change, which was announced and also went live on Thursday the 20th of November 2025, marks a...
How to Pay Off an Interest-Only Mortgage
Interest-only mortgages have become increasingly popular among borrowers looking for lower monthly payments and greater financial flexibility. But with those lower payments comes a major responsibility. You must have a reliable plan for repaying the capital at the end...
The Buy-To-Let Mistakes Every Landlord Should Avoid Making
Buying property to rent out can be an excellent way to build wealth, generate regular income, and secure your financial future. But becoming a successful landlord isn’t as simple as purchasing a property and finding tenants. The buy-to-let market is complex, and...
Nationwide’s 6x Income Mortgage Boosts First-Time Buyer Power
Nationwide Building Society has experienced an enormous rush in demand for its Helping Hand mortgage, following its decision to raise its upper lending limit to six times salary, allowing thousands more first-time buyers to obtain their initial foot on the property...
The Mortgage Works HMO Mortgage Criteria Explained
The Mortgage Works (TMW) has launched a new range of HMO (House of Multiple Occupation) mortgage criteria, including Limited Company deals, competitive loan-to-values of up to 75%, and a choice of fees. The revamp provides more flexibility for landlords looking to...
TSB Increases Mortgage Rates Ahead of November Budget
TSB is increasing mortgage rates on its chosen 5-year fixed products from the 22nd of October 2025, a move that reflects heightened caution in the mortgage market as lenders respond to potential fiscal changes in the upcoming Autumn Budget. The rate changes will both...
Santander for Intermediaries: How It Helps Our Clients
When it comes to securing the best possible mortgage for our clients, having access to exclusive products, flexible lending criteria, and dedicated broker support can make all the difference. That’s where Santander for Intermediaries comes in, one of the UK’s leading...
Luxury Property Rentals With a Curious Edge – An Interview With Curious Retreats
In just a few short years, Curious Retreats has become one of Suffolk’s most distinctive names in the luxury holiday rental space, combining the charm of handpicked properties with a genuine passion for hospitality. Founded by Tim Ripman and Tim Cook, the company has...
Barclays Boosts Mortgage Affordability With New Income Rules
Barclays has made a significant change to its mortgage affordability criteria, expanding the amount of bonus, overtime, and commission income that can be used in lending assessments. Under the new approach, Barclays will now include variable income up to four times a...
TSB ERC-Free Tracker Mortgages for Buyers and Landlords
TSB has announced that its popular Early Repayment Charge (ERC)-free tracker mortgages are still available across both its residential and buy-to-let ranges, a rare and flexible option for UK borrowers in an uncertain interest-rate market. These tracker mortgage...
High Value Mortgages for the 5th Wealthiest City in the World
London may be the UK's capital, but it's officially the 5th wealthiest city in the world. It has over 350,000 millionaires living within it, hundreds of international headquarters, and some of the world's most desirable property, so it's no mystery that high value...
How To Build A Property Portfolio
If you’ve ever wondered how to build a property portfolio in the UK, then this is the right blog for you. More and more people are looking at property investment as a way to generate long-term wealth, diversify income streams, and build financial security for the...
New HSBC Top Slicing Mortgage Criteria Announced
HSBC has announced a major policy change that’s set to help landlords across the country the introduction of top slicing for buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage applications. This new approach gives investors the ability to use personal income alongside rental income when...
How to Buy a Property at Auction with a Mortgage in the UK
Property auctions provide a fast-paced and exciting way of acquiring your next property or home, but the majority of potential buyers believe you have to be a cash buyer to take part. To the dismay of many, you can bid on an auctioned residential property using a...
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