Top Mortgage Brokers in London

Choosing a mortgage broker is not simply a matter of finding the largest lender panel or lowest headline fee. The right service depends on the borrower’s income, deposit, credit history, property, required loan and preference for digital, telephone or adviser-led support.

London borrowers may need help with first-time-buyer applications, high-value property, irregular bonuses, self-employment, contractor income, overseas earnings, buy-to-let portfolios or non-standard construction. These cases require different levels of research and lender-criteria knowledge.

What distinguishes a suitable mortgage broker?

A suitable broker should explain its regulatory status, lender scope, customer fee, lender commission, application process and refund terms before beginning chargeable work. It should also make clear whether the mortgage is regulated and who will manage the case after submission.

No broker can guarantee acceptance. A low rate may not be the lowest-cost option once product fees, valuation charges, cashback, incentives and the mortgage term are considered.

Mortgage advice is a regulated financial activity in the UK. Check the firm and exact legal entity on the Financial Conduct Authority register before sharing sensitive documents or paying a fee.

At a glance

Fees can change according to complexity and product type. Ask for a personalised written disclosure before proceeding.

How much do mortgage brokers charge in London?

There is no single standard London fee.

Some brokers charge the customer nothing and receive a procuration fee from the lender when the mortgage completes. Others charge a fixed fee, commonly around £400–£600 for a standard residential case. Percentage fees may reach 1% of the loan, especially for complex, high-value, commercial or specialist borrowing.

Some firms receive both a customer fee and lender commission. That is not automatically improper, but both should be disclosed before the application proceeds.

A broker fee is separate from the lender’s charges. The mortgage may also involve:

• a product or arrangement fee;
• a valuation fee;
• legal costs;
• a booking or funds-transfer fee;
• higher lending charges;
• early-repayment charges;
• insurance premiums;
• survey costs;
• leasehold or management-company charges.

Compare the total cost over the initial deal period rather than focusing only on the interest rate.

AS Financial

Address: 10–16 Elm Street, London WC1X 0BJ
Phone: 020 3301 6690
Format: London-based advice by telephone, video and arranged meeting
Regulation: AS Financial Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA, FRN 527263
Published mortgage fee: Not displayed clearly enough to quote as one standard figure; obtain written confirmation
Website

AS Financial is a London mortgage and protection advisory firm offering residential, remortgage, buy-to-let and specialist support. Its current information places particular emphasis on first-time buyers, self-employed applicants, contractors and borrowers whose income does not fit a standard salaried pattern.

Its website describes whole-of-market advice, but lender availability can change and no broker can access every product. Some lenders sell directly to customers, while others distribute only through selected intermediaries. Ask which part of the market will be considered for the specific application.

AS Financial’s regulatory number is published in its official documentation. Its protection terms state that protection advice is funded through insurer commission, but that does not establish the fee for every mortgage case. The mortgage fee should be confirmed separately before any application or research work begins.

A smaller advisory firm may offer continuity with a named person and more discussion of irregular income. The trade-off is that appointment capacity, cover during absence and progress tracking may be less standardised than at a large digital broker.

Pros

• London office and named-adviser model
• Covers residential mortgages and protection
• Relevant guidance for self-employed and contractor applicants
• FCA reference number is published

Best for: London borrowers with self-employed, contractor or otherwise non-standard income who want a continuing adviser relationship.

What to confirm: Request the customer fee, lender commission disclosure, lender scope, refund terms and adviser’s qualification before proceeding.

City Mortgage Solutions Ltd

Address: 6 Bevis Marks, London EC3A 7BA
Phone: 020 7481 3736
Format: City-based advice with remote support available
Regulation: Authorised and regulated by the FCA, FRN 466719
Published fee: Typical broker fee £595 for securing a suitable mortgage offer
Website

City Mortgage Solutions is a London brokerage covering residential purchases, remortgages, buy-to-let and associated protection products. It describes itself as a whole-of-market credit broker rather than a lender.

The firm publishes a typical £595 broker fee and states that it may also receive commission from the lender. That is clearer than providers that advertise advice without showing how the service is funded. “Typical” still allows variation, so complex, commercial or investment cases may cost more.

Its City location may be convenient for professionals working around Liverpool Street, Aldgate and the insurance district, although mortgage advice no longer requires regular office visits. The value of using a local firm should come from the adviser’s understanding of the case and property, not merely proximity.

Borrowers should ask who handles the case after the recommendation, how often updates are provided and whether the same adviser remains involved through offer and completion.

Pros

• Publishes its typical residential broker fee
• London office and named-adviser structure
• Covers residential, remortgage and buy-to-let work
• FCA reference number and lender-commission position are disclosed

Best for: Borrowers who prefer a City-based brokerage and accept a disclosed fixed fee for managed advice.

What to confirm: Obtain a personalised fee agreement and ask when the £595 becomes payable, whether it is refundable and what happens if no mortgage offer is obtained.

Mojo Mortgages

Registered office: The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London SE1 2LH
Phone: 0333 123 0012
Opening: Telephone lines are published as Monday to Thursday, 9am–8pm, and Friday, 9am–5pm
Regulation: Mojo is a trading style of Life’s Great Ltd, FCA FRN 478215
Published fee: No fee to the customer for regulated residential mortgage advice and applications
Website

Mojo is a digital and telephone mortgage broker rather than a traditional appointment-led London office. Customers provide information online, speak with an adviser and track the application through the service.

The broker states that it meets the FCA definition of whole-of-market advice by considering a sufficiently large range of regulated mortgages. Its current contact page refers to more than 60 lenders, while older marketing used higher figures. Lender-panel counts change, so the more useful question is whether the broker can consider the lenders relevant to the applicant’s circumstances.

Mojo does not charge residential customers for its mortgage advice and service. It receives commission from the lender when the mortgage completes and says the amount is disclosed before application.

The digital model can be efficient for straightforward purchases and remortgages. Borrowers with multiple companies, overseas income, adverse credit or unusual property construction should ask whether the case will receive specialist manual review rather than assuming the platform can accommodate it.

Pros

• No customer fee for regulated residential mortgage advice
• Evening telephone availability on several weekdays
• Digital document and application process
• FCA status, legal entity and complaints process are published

Best for: First-time buyers and remortgagers wanting fee-free digital advice with access to a human adviser.

What to confirm: Ask whether the broker handles the exact income, credit and property type involved and whether any non-residential service carries a fee.

Alexander Hall

Address: 137–144 High Holborn, London WC1V 6PL
Phone: 0800 038 3736
Format: Telephone, video and London appointments
Regulation: Alexander Hall Associates Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA, FRN 154485
Published fee: Typical £499 processing fee for standard residential mortgages; typical buy-to-let fee of 0.5% of the loan, with £500 payable on application and the balance on completion
Website

Alexander Hall is a sizeable London brokerage covering first-time buyers, remortgages, high-value borrowing, buy-to-let, overseas clients and protection. Its scale provides a wider adviser and case-management structure than a small independent practice.

The firm states that it does not charge separately for residential mortgage advice but charges an administrative fee when the customer proceeds with an application. For a standard residential mortgage, the typical fee is £499. The distinction matters: the service is not fee-free merely because the charge is described as processing rather than advice.

Buy-to-let pricing can be materially higher because a typical 0.5% fee increases with the loan amount. On a £500,000 mortgage, 0.5% would be £2,500. Borrowers should calculate the actual cash fee rather than comparing percentage wording with a fixed residential charge.

Alexander Hall advertises access to exclusive products from time to time. Exclusives can be useful, but they should be assessed against the total market considered and total cost. An exclusive rate is not automatically the most suitable mortgage.

Pros

• Established London office with a relatively large adviser structure
• Standard residential and buy-to-let fees are published
• Covers high-value and more complex London property cases
• FCA status and limitations around unregulated lending are stated

Best for: London buyers with high-value, complex or property-specific cases who want a sizeable brokerage.

What to confirm: Ask for the exact fee in pounds, the market scope, the lender commission and whether the fee is retained if the purchase or mortgage application does not complete.

Coreco

Phone: 020 7220 5110
Format: London advisers, telephone and video support
Regulatory structure: Coreco Partners LLP states that it is an appointed representative of Mortgage Advice Bureau
Published fee: Up to 1% of the amount borrowed; a typical fee is stated as 0.3%, although some cases may be fee-free
Website

Coreco is a London-focused mortgage brokerage with advisers covering first-time buyers, movers, remortgages, buy-to-let, later-life lending and specialist scenarios. It operates through an appointed-representative structure rather than holding all permissions directly in the trading firm’s own name.

An appointed representative can carry out regulated activity under the responsibility of its authorised principal. Borrowers should verify both Coreco and the principal firm on the FCA register and check that the adviser is connected to the correct entity.

Coreco’s published fee language is flexible: the charge can be up to 1% of the borrowing, with 0.3% described as typical, and some cases may have no customer fee. That makes a personalised quote essential. At 0.3%, a £500,000 mortgage would produce a £1,500 broker fee; at 1%, it would be £5,000.

The firm may be particularly relevant where a case requires more adviser time or lender-criteria knowledge. However, complexity alone does not make a percentage fee good value. Compare the proposed cost with fixed-fee and fee-free alternatives.

Pros

• London-focused adviser network
• Covers standard and specialist mortgage categories
• Explains that fees vary and may sometimes be waived
• Suitable for borrowers wanting more adviser-led support

Best for: Borrowers with complex circumstances who want a London adviser and are willing to compare a personalised fee.

What to confirm: Ask for the exact fee in pounds, the maximum payable, whether it applies on application or completion and the name of the FCA-authorised principal responsible for the advice.

Habito

Format: Online mortgage advice and application management
Regulation: Hey Habito Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA, FRN 714187
Published fee: Fee-free mortgage advice for customers; Habito receives lender commission
Market description: Habito describes itself as a whole-of-market broker
Website

Habito is an online broker designed for customers comfortable entering financial information, uploading documents and communicating digitally. It provides human mortgage advice through a technology-led process rather than operating as a conventional branch.

The company states that its mortgage advice is fee-free and that it receives commission from lenders. Its content also explains the difference between tied, panel and whole-of-market advisers, which is useful when comparing broker scope.

Habito may suit first-time buyers, home movers and remortgagers who want a largely online process. The main limitation is not the absence of human advice but the reduced appeal for customers who want repeated face-to-face meetings or who struggle to organise documents digitally.

Applicants with complex income should provide a complete picture early. Automated eligibility tools are not mortgage offers, and an agreement in principle does not guarantee approval after underwriting, valuation and document checks.

Pros

• No direct customer fee for mortgage advice
• Online process with human advice
• FCA reference number and legal entity are published
• Useful for applicants who prefer digital document handling

Best for: Digitally confident borrowers seeking fee-free whole-of-market advice.

What to confirm: Ask whether the adviser has handled the relevant income and property type and whether any additional service or related product carries a charge.

L&C Mortgages

Format: National telephone and online service available to London borrowers
Phone: Contact through the official website for the relevant team
Regulation: London & Country Mortgages Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA, FRN 143002
Published fee: No fee for mortgage advice or mortgage-broking service
Lender reach: L&C states that it works with more than 95 lenders
Website

L&C is a large national mortgage broker serving customers by telephone and online. It does not have a London customer office, but it is included because London borrowers can use the service and because its fee-free model provides an important comparison with local fee-charging firms.

The broker states that it charges no fee for mortgage advice or service and is paid commission by the lender. It publishes guidance explaining that lender procuration fees are commonly a percentage of the mortgage and are disclosed to the customer.

L&C covers residential purchases, remortgages, buy-to-let and several specialist categories. A large broker can offer broad availability and standardised processing, although the experience may involve separate advisers and case managers rather than one person handling every stage.

A free service is not necessarily the best fit for every complex application, just as a paid broker is not automatically more thorough. Compare the expertise of the assigned adviser and the lenders considered.

Pros

• No customer fee for mortgage advice or service
• Large stated lender panel
• Telephone and online access from anywhere in London
• Covers standard and several specialist mortgage categories

Best for: Borrowers wanting a large, fee-free telephone broker with broad lender access.

What to confirm: Ask who will manage the application, whether the relevant specialist lenders are included and how quickly the case will be reviewed when documents change.

Comparing broker quotations properly

Two broker fees are comparable only when they cover the same type of mortgage and service.

Ask each broker to show:

• Customer fee
• Timing of payment
• Refund terms
• Lender commission
• Application or processing fee
• Remortgage fee
• Product-transfer fee
• Specialist-finance fee
• Protection-advice commission
• Market scope
• Direct-only exclusions
• Case-management support
• Complete fee in pounds

For percentage fees, calculate the actual cash cost using the proposed loan amount. A 0.3% fee on £500,000 is £1,500, while 1% is £5,000.

Local, digital or national broker?

Different models suit different borrowers:

• Smaller London brokerage: may provide continuity with one adviser and closer discussion of unusual income.
• Larger London brokerage: can offer wider adviser capacity and specialist teams.
• Digital broker: useful for customers comfortable uploading documents and managing progress online.
• National telephone broker: may provide broad availability without a direct customer fee.

The most suitable model depends on case complexity, communication preference and the experience of the assigned adviser.

How to check a mortgage broker

Search the FCA Financial Services Register using the firm’s legal name, not only its trading name.

Confirm:

1. The firm is authorised or is a current appointed representative.
2. The address and telephone number match the contact details you are using.
3. The firm has permission for the activity required.
4. The adviser is connected to the correct firm where individual details are shown.
5. No warning or restriction applies.
6. The email domain belongs to the genuine business.

Clone scams copy the name and FCA number of an authorised firm while using different contact details. Call the number on the FCA register or official website rather than a number supplied in an unsolicited message.

Whole of market does not mean every mortgage

“Whole of market” is commonly used to describe advice drawn from a sufficiently broad range of mortgage products. It does not necessarily include:

• direct-only lender products;
• every small building society;
• products outside the broker’s panel or systems;
• bridging and commercial finance;
• all overseas or offshore arrangements;
• deals for which the customer does not meet criteria.

Ask the broker which lenders or product types are excluded and whether checking a direct deal separately would be sensible.

Documents and data security

Mortgage applications involve sensitive financial records.

Before uploading documents, verify:

• Website domain
• Secure portal
• Privacy notice
• Legal entity
• FCA details
• Adviser identity
• Data-retention policy
• Third-party processors
• Overseas data transfers
• Complaint route

Do not send bank statements, passports or tax records through an unverified email address or messaging account.

Questions to ask before appointing a broker

• What is your FCA firm reference number?
• Are you directly authorised or an appointed representative?
• How many lenders can you consider for my type of case?
• Which lenders or direct-only products are excluded?
• What will I pay, in pounds, and when?
• Is the fee refundable if the application fails or the purchase collapses?
• How much commission will the lender pay?
• Will you charge again for a remortgage or product transfer?
• Who handles the case after submission?
• What qualifications does my adviser hold?
• Have you handled my income and property type before?
• Do you recommend protection products, and are those optional?
• How do I complain if something goes wrong?

A responsible adviser should explain uncertainty and lender criteria without promising approval. It should also confirm before conducting any hard credit search.

Agreement in principle and credit searches

An agreement in principle is an indication rather than a mortgage offer. It can be based on limited information and remains subject to full underwriting, documents and property valuation.

Ask whether the lender will use:

• Soft credit search
• Hard credit search
• Affordability assessment
• Automated valuation
• Manual underwriting

Do not authorise multiple hard searches without understanding why they are required.

First-time buyers

First-time buyers often benefit from help interpreting affordability, deposit requirements, product fees and the sequence between an agreement in principle, offer and completion.

A broker should also explain that:

• an agreement in principle is not a mortgage offer;
• a lender valuation is not a full property survey;
• affordability can change if debts or commitments change;
• new credit applications before completion may affect the case;
• the cheapest rate may carry a high product fee;
• the solicitor acts separately from the broker and lender.

Do not make an offer on a property based solely on an online calculator.

Self-employed applicants and company directors

Lenders assess self-employed income differently. Some use salary and dividends, others may consider retained profit, net profit or an average across several years.

Prepare:

• finalised accounts;
• SA302 calculations and tax-year overviews;
• business and personal bank statements;
• evidence of ongoing contracts;
• details of company ownership;
• explanations for unusual income movements;
• deposit evidence.

A broker who understands limited-company directors can help identify lenders whose criteria fit the actual income structure. Income must not be overstated and documents must not be altered.

Ask whether the lender will use salary and dividends, net profit, retained profit or an average across several years.

Buy-to-let and commercial borrowing

Most buy-to-let mortgages are not regulated by the FCA, although consumer buy-to-let and certain circumstances may be treated differently. Commercial mortgages and bridging finance also operate under different regulatory frameworks.

Ask:

• whether the proposed activity is regulated;
• what protections apply;
• whether the broker receives commission from specialist lenders;
• whether the fee is fixed or percentage based;
• how rental stress testing works;
• whether personal guarantees are required;
• whether tax advice is outside the broker’s service.

Mortgage advice is not a substitute for tax, legal or investment advice.

Property type and lender criteria

The property can be as important as the borrower.

Tell the broker about:

• Lease length
• Service charge
• Cladding
• Construction type
• Flat above commercial premises
• New build
• Ex-local-authority property
• Listed status
• Short lease
• Shared ownership
• Restrictive covenant
• Planned alterations

A lender may accept the borrower but decline the property after valuation.

Mortgage rates, product fees and total cost

A lower interest rate can be more expensive if it carries a large fee.

For example, a borrower choosing between two fixed rates should compare:

• monthly payments;
• product fee;
• cashback;
• valuation and legal incentives;
• early-repayment charges;
• the balance remaining at the end of the fixed period;
• any fee added to the mortgage and the interest charged on it.

The European Standardised Information Sheet or mortgage illustration should show key costs and risks. Read it before applying and compare it with any competing recommendation.

Adviser qualifications and responsibilities

Ask which mortgage qualification the adviser holds, such as CeMAP or an equivalent recognised credential. Qualifications do not guarantee the recommendation, but they help confirm the adviser’s formal route into regulated mortgage advice.

Also ask:

• Who gives the regulated advice
• Who submits the application
• Who handles lender queries
• Who monitors the mortgage offer
• Who liaises with the solicitor
• Who covers absence
• When the adviser’s responsibility ends

Protection insurance

Many mortgage brokers also recommend life insurance, critical-illness cover or income protection. These products may be useful, but they are separate from the mortgage and should not be presented as compulsory unless a particular lender genuinely requires specific cover.

Ask:

• whether the broker compares multiple insurers;
• how much commission is received;
• what exclusions apply;
• whether premiums are guaranteed or reviewable;
• whether existing workplace benefits have been considered;
• what happens if the policy is cancelled early.

Buildings insurance is normally required by the lender from exchange or completion, depending on the transaction. It does not usually have to be purchased through the broker.

Protection products should be considered separately from the mortgage recommendation and can be declined unless a genuine lender condition applies.

If the purchase or application fails

Ask what happens to the broker fee where:

• The lender declines
• The valuation fails
• The seller withdraws
• The chain collapses
• The property changes
• The mortgage offer expires
• The borrower pauses the purchase
• A different lender is required

Some fees are payable for work already completed and may not be refundable. This should be disclosed before payment.

Complaints and consumer protection

Complain to the firm first and keep copies of documents and messages. The firm should explain its complaints process.

Eligible unresolved complaints may be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection may apply if an authorised firm cannot meet certain liabilities, but coverage depends on the product and circumstances.

FCA authorisation reduces risk but does not guarantee that every recommendation is correct or that a mortgage application will succeed.

Common warning signs

Be cautious if a broker:

• guarantees approval;
• asks for payment to a personal bank account;
• will not provide an FCA number;
• uses contact details that do not match the FCA register;
• encourages false income or altered documents;
• pressures you to take optional insurance;
• refuses to explain lender commission;
• describes a product as exclusive without comparing total cost;
• cannot state whether the mortgage is regulated;
• asks you to conceal debts or financial commitments.

Providing false information to a lender can amount to mortgage fraud.

Frequently asked questions

Is a fee-free broker independent?

A fee-free broker can still offer whole-of-market advice. The funding model and the scope of lenders are separate questions. Verify both.

Can a broker obtain a lower rate than going directly?

Sometimes brokers have intermediary-only or exclusive products. Some lenders also offer direct-only deals. Compare total cost and market scope rather than assuming either route is always cheaper.

Does using several brokers damage my credit score?

Initial conversations generally do not, but agreements in principle and lender checks may use soft or hard searches. Ask before authorising any credit search.

Should I use the estate agent’s broker?

You may, but you are not required to. The estate agent should not make viewing or accepting an offer conditional on using its in-house broker. Compare fees and independence.

When is the broker paid?

Customer fees may be due on application, offer or completion. Lender commission is normally paid after completion. Obtain the timing and refund rules in writing.

Can a broker guarantee a mortgage offer?

No. The lender decides after affordability checks, underwriting, credit assessment and property valuation.

Should I pay the mortgage product fee upfront?

It depends on the product and circumstances. Adding it to the mortgage avoids an upfront payment but means paying interest on the fee if it remains part of the balance.

Choosing with confidence

AS Financial and City Mortgage Solutions provide smaller London-based adviser relationships. Alexander Hall and Coreco offer larger London operations and may suit complex or high-value cases, although customer fees can be significant.

Mojo, Habito and L&C provide fee-free alternatives using digital or telephone processes. The absence of a direct customer charge does not determine suitability; lender access, adviser expertise and the ability to manage the specific case remain central.

Check the FCA register, obtain every fee in writing and compare the total mortgage cost before committing.

Related articles

Related guides

Solicitors

Best Immigration Lawyers in London

A researched guide to six London immigration law firms, covering personal and business immigration, sponsor licences, appeals, asylum, legal aid, current fees and choosing regulated advice.

Updated 22 July 2026

Financial Advisers

Best Financial Advisers in London

A researched guide to six London financial-planning firms, covering independent and restricted advice, current fees, pensions, investments, retirement planning, FCA checks and choosing the right adviser.

Updated 18 July 2026

Solicitors

Top Drink-Driving Solicitors in London

A researched guide to six London solicitors handling drink-driving and motoring prosecutions, with practical information on fees, court procedure, possible penalties and choosing representation.

Updated 18 July 2026

Solicitors

Top notaries in London that make legal paperwork less painful

A practical guide to London notaries, comparing fees, appointments, apostilles, translations, international-document experience and verification requirements.

Updated 17 July 2026

Solicitors

Best Law Firms in London

A researched guide to six London law firms, covering business, property, litigation, family, immigration, private-client and regulatory work, with practical advice on fees, regulation and choosing the right solicitor.

Updated 14 July 2026

Solicitors

6 Best Company Formation Services in London

A researched comparison of six London company formation services, covering Companies House fees, identity verification, registered office addresses, international founders, renewals and ongoing compliance support.

Updated 13 July 2026