What to look for
Mortgage brokers source and place residential, buy-to-let, commercial, self-employed, and adverse-credit mortgages, working on behalf of borrowers across panels of lenders. The category divides between whole-of-market brokers (access to the full lender panel), restricted brokers (limited panel), and tied advisers (one lender). Regulated by the FCA.
- FCA registration as appointed representative or directly authorised
- Whole-of-market access disclosed clearly
- Fee structure: broker fee, lender procuration, both, or neither
- Specialist experience for your situation (self-employed, adverse, BTL)
- Initial fact-find before any product recommendation
- Decision in principle process explained
Typical pricing: £0 (lender-paid only) to £750-£1,800 broker fee, £350-£600 typical specialist case (UK 2026)
Regulator / certification to look for: Financial Conduct Authority (mandatory), CeMAP qualification (advisers)