Kensington Mortgages
Specialist LenderKensington Mortgages is one of the UK's most established specialist lenders, now owned by Barclays. They are known for helping borrowers with impaired credit or complex income structures access competitive mortgage rates.
About Kensington Mortgages
Kensington Mortgages was founded in 1995 and was one of the UK's first specialist lenders focused on borrowers with impaired credit or complex income. The lender pioneered the UK's non-conforming mortgage market, helping borrowers who did not meet high-street criteria access homeownership. Kensington was acquired by Barclays in 2022, bringing specialist lending under one of the UK's largest banks.
Kensington continues to help borrowers with impaired credit, self-employed applicants, and those with complex income structures. The lender uses manual underwriting and has developed criteria for a wide range of credit events including defaults, CCJs, and debt management plans. Kensington offers both residential and buy-to-let products.
As part of Barclays, Kensington benefits from the bank's funding stability and brand strength. The lender operates as a broker-only channel with a dedicated intermediary team. Kensington has maintained its specialist focus while gaining the backing of Barclays' balance sheet.
Lending Focus
Kensington Mortgages offers mortgage products across 3 categories including Residential, Buy-to-Let, Adverse Credit.
Key Features
- Market-leading adverse credit mortgage products
- Flexible income assessment for self-employed and contractors
- Backed by Barclays providing funding stability
- Automated decisioning for faster application processing
- Dedicated broker support team with specialist underwriters
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Backed by Barclays providing exceptional funding stability
- One of the most established specialist lenders in the UK
- Automated decisioning speeds up straightforward applications
- Strong broker support with specialist underwriting teams
Cons
- –Broker-only — cannot apply direct
- –Higher rates than mainstream high-street lenders
- –No HMO or limited company BTL products
Fees & Charges
- Arrangement Fee
- Typically £995 — varies by product
- Valuation Fee
- Based on property value — usually £200–£1,500
- Early Repayment Charge
- Typically 3–5% during fixed-rate period
- Overpayment Allowance
- Up to 10% per year on most products
Mortgage Rates
Rate data coming soon. View rates on Kensington Mortgages
| Product | Initial Rate | Type | Initial Term | Revert Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Year Fixed | TBC | Fixed | 24 months | TBC |
| 5 Year Fixed | TBC | Fixed | 60 months | TBC |
| Tracker | TBC | Variable | 24 months | TBC |
Application Process
- Processing Time
- 2–3 weeks from application to offer
- Online DIP
- Yes — available online
- Offer Valid For
- 6 months
Lending Criteria
- Maximum LTV
- 85%
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kensington Mortgages owned by Barclays?
Yes, Kensington Mortgages was acquired by Barclays in 2023. This backing provides strong funding stability and allows Kensington to offer competitive specialist rates.
Can Kensington Mortgages help with bad credit?
Yes, Kensington Mortgages specialises in adverse credit lending. They consider CCJs, defaults, missed payments, and other credit impairments on a case-by-case basis.
What is the maximum LTV at Kensington Mortgages?
Kensington Mortgages offers up to 85% LTV on residential products, though lower LTVs may apply for more severe credit issues.
Does Kensington Mortgages accept self-employed borrowers?
Yes, Kensington has flexible income assessment for self-employed and contractor borrowers, often accepting one year of accounts in certain circumstances.
How to Apply
Broker only. Kensington Mortgages products are available through mortgage brokers. Find a broker with Kensington Mortgages on their panel.
Similar Lenders
View all lenders| Name | Niches | Type | Max LTV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precise Mortgages | Residential, Buy-to-Let, Adverse Credit+2 | Specialist | 85% |
| Together Money | Residential, Buy-to-Let, Commercial+3 | Specialist | 80% |
| Vida Homeloans | Residential, Buy-to-Let, Adverse Credit | Specialist | 85% |
| Aldermore | Residential, Buy-to-Let, Commercial+1 | Specialist | 85% |
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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 lender details directly and seek independent advice before making financial decisions.
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