How to choose a mortgage broker

Q: Do I have to use a mortgage broker?

No. Borrowers can apply directly to a lender. A broker is one way to compare lenders and complete an application, which is more common on specialist cases such as buy-to-let, self-employed income, or adverse credit.

Q: How do I check a mortgage broker is authorised?

Search the firm name or FRN on register.fca.org.uk and confirm the permissions cover advising on or arranging mortgages for the type of borrowing you need.

A mortgage broker helps you compare lenders and complete an application. This guide covers what to look for in the UK: authorisation, the range of lenders they can use, fees, and the questions worth asking before you proceed. It is general information, not mortgage advice.

Check the FCA register

Fees in writing

Information only

What a mortgage broker does

A mortgage broker is an intermediary between you and lenders. They take details of your income, deposit, property, and credit history, then look for mortgages you may be eligible for. Many also prepare the application and deal with the lender until completion.

Using a broker is optional. A straightforward residential purchase can often go direct to a high-street lender. Brokers are more commonly used where criteria are tighter: self-employed income, a small deposit, buy-to-let, limited-company borrowing, adverse credit, or a short deadline such as an auction.

Decide what you need

A useful broker for one case can be a poor fit for another. Before you contact anyone, be clear about:

Property type — residential, buy-to-let, or commercial
Whether the case is specialist (HMO, expat, limited company, self-employed, adverse credit)
Whether local knowledge matters, or a national firm is enough
Timeline — a standard purchase, a remortgage, or something faster such as bridging or auction

Specialist categories are a way to see which kinds of borrowing exist. Match the broker's stated experience to your case, then confirm that experience on a call.

Check FCA authorisation

Firms that advise on or arrange regulated mortgages in the UK need permission from the Financial Conduct Authority. Check the firm yourself before you share personal details or pay a fee. A website, a referral, or a directory listing is not a substitute for the register.

1
Note the firm's legal name and its Firm Reference Number (FRN).
2
Search both on the FCA Register.
3
Confirm the status is authorised, and that the permissions cover advising on or arranging the type of mortgage you need.

Some people who introduce you to a broker are not authorised themselves. The firm that will advise you is the one that needs to appear on the register.

Compare brokers on the same brief

Headline claims are hard to compare. Give three to five firms the same outline of the case and look at how they respond:

Experience with your type of borrowing, not a general “we do all mortgages” line
How many lenders they can actually use, and whether any relevant lender is excluded
Independent reviews, and whether recent comments match the service you need
How clearly they explain next steps, timescales, and what they need from you

A fast reply is useful. A reply that restates your situation and names the constraints is more useful still.

Whole of market, panel, and tied

Whole of market

The broker can usually consider a wide range of lenders, including those they do not have a special arrangement with. “Whole of market” is not the same as every lender in the UK.

Panel

The broker works from a set list of lenders. A focused panel can still cover a specialist area well. Ask which lenders are on it, and which common ones are not.

Tied

The adviser recommends products from one lender, often a bank or building society. That can suit a simple case with that lender. It does not compare the wider market.

Ask each firm which of these applies, and how it changes the mortgages they can show you.

Fees and commission

Many residential brokers are paid by the lender when the mortgage completes, and do not charge the borrower a separate fee. Others charge a broker fee, or a mix of a fee and lender commission. Commercial, bridging, and some specialist cases more often have an explicit fee.

Ask for the charges in writing before you proceed: what you pay, when you pay it, whether any of it is refundable if the case does not complete, and what the lender pays the broker. A broker has to tell you about commission. A higher procuration fee from one lender does not, by itself, mean that mortgage is the right one for you.

Questions worth asking

Are you authorised to advise on this type of mortgage, and what is your FRN?
Are you whole of market, on a panel, or tied to one lender?
What will I pay, and what will the lender pay you?
Who will handle the case day to day, and how do I reach them?
What happens if the application is declined or I decide not to proceed?

Regulated mortgage advice comes from the authorised firm you appoint, not from a general guide. If a local firm matters, look by town or postcode, then run the same checks.

FAQs

Do I have to use a mortgage broker?

No. You can apply directly to a lender. A broker is one way to compare lenders and complete an application. That is more common on specialist cases, such as buy-to-let, self-employed income, or adverse credit.

How do I check a mortgage broker is authorised?

Search the firm name or FRN on the FCA Register and confirm the permissions cover advising on or arranging the type of mortgage you need.

Does a mortgage broker charge a fee?

Many residential brokers are paid by the lender on completion and do not charge you. Others charge a broker fee, or a mix of fee and commission. Commercial and specialist cases often have an explicit fee. Ask for the charges in writing before you proceed.

What is the difference between whole of market and a tied adviser?

A whole-of-market broker can usually search a wide range of lenders. A panel broker works with a defined set. A tied adviser recommends products from one lender. Ask which applies before you share a full application.

Can I speak to more than one broker?

Yes. Giving the same brief to a shortlist of firms makes it easier to compare how clearly they explain options, fees, and lender access.

Last reviewed: 29 September 2026. This page is general information about choosing a mortgage broker in the UK. It is not mortgage advice. Suitability depends on your circumstances and on the authorised firm you speak to.

Important: Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute financial advice.Always verify broker details directly and seek independent advice before making financial decisions.