I'm buying something unusual

Guides for non-standard purchases — unusual deposits, government schemes, and complex income situations.

Deposits and affordability

Builder's Deposit and Vendor Gifted Deposit: What Lenders Accept

Can a property developer or vendor contribute to your mortgage deposit? Learn about builder incentives, vendor gifted deposits, LTV calculations, and which UK lenders accept them.

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Using Cryptocurrency as a Mortgage Deposit

Want to use Bitcoin or other crypto as a mortgage deposit? Learn about converting to fiat, AML requirements, which UK lenders accept crypto-sourced deposits, and CGT implications.

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Mortgage Deposit from Selling an Overseas Property

Using proceeds from selling an overseas property as a UK mortgage deposit? Learn about AML requirements, currency transfer, CGT implications, and lender documentation expectations.

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Deposit Sources Lenders Accept (and Reject)

Which deposit sources do UK mortgage lenders accept? From savings and gifts to crypto and inheritance — find out what works and what doesn't.

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Forces Help to Buy: The Military Mortgage Scheme

Forces Help to Buy explained: how the military mortgage scheme works, who qualifies, loan amounts, repayment terms, and combining it with other schemes for UK armed forces personnel.

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Gifted Deposit from Overseas: AML Complications

Receiving a gifted deposit from overseas for a UK mortgage? Understand the AML checks, documentation needed, and which lenders accept foreign gifts.

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Guarantor Mortgages: How They Work

How do guarantor mortgages work in the UK? Understand the risks, responsibilities, and alternatives for both borrowers and guarantors.

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Help to Buy Equity Loan: The Interest Cliff

Help to Buy equity loan interest starts in year 6. Understand the costs, repayment options, and what happens when the fees kick in for UK homeowners.

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How Many Times Your Salary Can You Borrow?

How many times your salary can you borrow for a UK mortgage? Understand income multiples from 4x to 6x and what affects your maximum borrowing.

8 min readRead more

Using an Inheritance as a Mortgage Deposit

Using inherited money as a mortgage deposit? Learn about probate timelines, AML requirements, evidence needed, tax implications, and overseas inheritance complications.

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Mortgage Affordability: How Lenders Decide

How do UK mortgage lenders assess affordability? Understand income multiples, stress tests, committed expenditure, and what affects how much you can borrow.

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Right to Acquire: Housing Association Tenants

Housing association tenants can buy their home through Right to Acquire. Learn about eligibility, discounts, and how to get a mortgage for RTA.

8 min readRead more

Right to Buy Mortgage: Ex-Council to Homeowner

How to get a mortgage for Right to Buy in the UK. Understand the discount, eligibility, which lenders accept RTB, and how bad credit affects your options.

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Saving for a Deposit on a Low Income: Practical Strategies

Struggling to save a mortgage deposit on a low income? Explore LISA bonuses, Help to Save, shared ownership, family support, and realistic timelines for UK buyers.

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Shared Ownership Explained: The Full Picture

Shared ownership lets you buy a share of a home and rent the rest. Understand how it works, the costs involved, and the honest pros and cons in 2026.

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Staircasing with Bad Credit

Can you staircase your shared ownership home with bad credit? Learn how adverse credit affects buying more shares and which lenders can help.

8 min readRead more

Life situations

Can Your Landlord's Mortgage Problem Affect You as a Tenant?

What happens if your landlord defaults on their buy-to-let mortgage? Understand your rights as a tenant during repossession, the 2010 Act protections, and practical steps to take.

9 min readRead more

Later Life Lending and Equity Release: Your Options Explained

Understand later life lending options including retirement interest-only mortgages, lifetime mortgages, home reversion plans, and Equity Release Council protections in the UK.

12 min readRead more

Mortgage After Bereavement: Joint to Sole and Starting Again

Dealing with a mortgage after the death of a partner or joint mortgage holder? Understand transfer of equity, life insurance, probate, and your options going forward.

11 min readRead more

Mortgage When Moving to Northern Ireland

Buying a property in Northern Ireland? Understand the different conveyancing process, Stamp Duty rules, which lenders operate in NI, credit union options, and local building societies.

9 min readRead more

Mortgage When Moving to Scotland: Different Legal System

Buying property in Scotland? Understand the different legal system, standard securities, missives, LBTT, Home Reports, and which mortgage lenders operate north of the border.

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Mortgage with Ongoing Court Proceedings or Legal Disputes

Can you get a mortgage with pending litigation, court proceedings, or legal disputes? Learn how boundary disputes, divorce, employment tribunals, and personal injury claims affect mortgage applications.

10 min readRead more

Mortgage When Your Partner Is Bankrupt

Can you get a mortgage when your partner is an undischarged bankrupt? Understand solo application options, financial association risks, discharge timelines, and practical strategies.

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Mortgage for Single Parents: Income, Benefits, and Childcare

Can you get a mortgage as a single parent? Learn how lenders assess solo income, child maintenance, benefits, childcare costs, and schemes that can help UK single parents buy.

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First-Time Buyer Over 50: It's Not Too Late

Can you get a mortgage as a first-time buyer over 50? Learn about age limits, shorter terms, pension income, retirement interest-only options, and which UK lenders specialise in later-life lending.

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