With thousands of options, choosing the right intermediaries can be challenging. We're making your search easier by listing the best ones
The UK’s lending sector is highly competitive; going through the process alone as a first timer can be overwhelming. If you’re ready to purchase a home but aren’t quite sure where to start, a mortgage intermediary can be of great help.
Intermediaries – also called mortgage brokers or advisers – scour the market for potential lenders that can provide you with the best deal and assist with special situations.
In this article, we will list the top mortgage intermediaries in the country. We will give you a rundown of the benefits each offers, so you can pick the one that suits your needs. Read on and find out how these industry players can help you achieve your homeownership dreams.
What are the top mortgage intermediaries in the UK?
The UK is home to thousands of brokerage firms and intermediaries, that’s why finding the one that can assist with your unique needs can be tricky. Given that each home buyer’s profile and circumstances differ, it’s also hard to pick a clear-cut top choice for everyone.
Because of this, we decided to arrange the list alphabetically. We also limited our picks to national brokers, although you can find independent local intermediaries that can cater to your needs. Here are our choices:
1. Alexander Hall
Alexander Hall markets itself as an intermediary that provides “expert mortgage advice tailored to you.” The company adds that it helps home buyers “get access to exclusive rates from some of the UK's biggest lenders, all explained clearly, without the jargon.”
The London-based broker offers specialist residential mortgage advice to a range of areas. These include bridging loans, commercial loans, and buy-to-let mortgages.
You can access Alexander Hall’s services online, via the telephone, or by visiting one of its branches. The company has a Trustpilot rating of 5.0 or excellent based on more than 5,250 reviews.
2. Better.co.uk
Previously known as Trussle, the firm rebranded to Better.co.uk in 2023, taking on the name of its parent company Better. It is among the new breed of online-first intermediaries in the UK.
Better.co.uk is popular for providing buyers with a simple, fast, and comprehensive mortgage journey. Its website allows you to do these tasks, all in one place:
- arrange a mortgage
- complete a profile
- upload supporting documents
- finish your application
The best thing is you can access the company’s services for free.
Better.co.uk has a Trustpilot rating of 4.8 based on over 8,130 independent customer reviews.
3. First Mortgage
First Mortgage is one of the UK’s largest mortgage brokers. It provides free advice for both first-time buyers and existing homeowners. The company has access to more than 10,000 products from the nation’s biggest lenders.
First Mortgage doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to mortgages. Instead, it takes the time to understand each buyer's needs and circumstances to find the best deal possible. It also promises to give clients £500 if they can get a better deal elsewhere.
The company has a perfect 5.0 Trustpilot rating based on more than 23,000 reviews.
4. Habito
Habito is among the new generation of intermediaries that provide mortgage broker services exclusively online. The company also offers its services for free and promises to source products from the entire market, even from lenders it doesn’t receive commissions from.
Habito has started its own mortgage products line recently. This includes the Habito One mortgage, which lends borrowers up to seven times their salaries while maintaining fixed repayments for the loan term.
The company has a Trustpilot rating of 4.9 from almost 8,900 client reviews.
5. John Charcol
John Charcol is one of the first independent mortgage brokers in the UK – but it’s also among the most expensive. The company charges £700 for its services, although the fee can vary depending on the loan amount and the buyer’s circumstances.
You can access John Charcol’s services over the phone. The options are quite limited compared to others on the list. Still, it’s often enough for you to find a good deal.
The mortgage intermediary is a good choice if you have an irregular income or are looking to buy an unconventional property. Despite not having online operations, clients are satisfied with the company’s services. John Charcol received a 4.9 Trustpilot rating from more than 800 clients.
6. L&C Mortgages
Formerly known as London & Country, L&C Mortgages is one of the largest intermediaries in the UK. It is also among the brokers that don’t charge a fee for their services. Instead, the company relies on commissions from lenders.
L&C Mortgages is a good option if you prefer to do the entire mortgage process over the phone. The company has also launched online services where you can start your application.
L&C Mortgages covers a range of areas, including residential loans, remortgages, and buy-to-let mortgages. Given the number of clients it has served, its Trustpilot rating of 4.6 from over 13,500 reviews is impressive.
7. Mojo Mortgages
Mojo Mortgages is an online-first intermediary that offers its services for free. It uses a mortgage calculator to compare rates in one minute.
The company assists clients with residential and buy-to-let mortgages. It also provides mortgage protection advice. It doesn’t help with commercial loans and equity release products, though.
Mojo has a Trustpilot rating of 4.5 based on almost 4,300 independent client reviews.
8. Mortgage Advice Bureau
Mortgage Advice Bureau employs more than 2,000 advisers to assist clients across the UK. The company gives advice both face-to-face and over the phone. It is the only mortgage intermediary to have floated on the London Stock Exchange, having joined the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in November 2014.
Mortgage Advice Bureau has access to around 1,000 products, some of which are exclusive to the company. It offers advice on residential and buy-to-let mortgages, among others.
The mortgage intermediary has a Trustpilot rating of 3.8 or great.
9. Simply Adverse
Simply Adverse specialises in finding mortgages for people with poor credit. So, if you have had debt management plans, CCJ, or history of default or bankruptcy, the company can help.
The online-only mortgage intermediary charges a flat rate of £1,995, regardless of the loan amount. It has a perfect 5.0 Trustpilot rating based on more than 1,800 customer reviews.
10. Tembo
Tembo specialises in assisting first-time home buyers get the best deal. It offers customised solutions that help aspiring homeowners boost their deposit and keep their incomes in order. It is also among the few intermediaries to provide products for shared ownership.
Tembo’s fees start at £499 for standard mortgages and remortgages but go up to £749 for complex purchases. It has a nearly perfect 4.9 Trustpilot rating based on around 680 reviews.
What are intermediaries?
Intermediaries are vital industry players who help aspiring homeowners secure a mortgage that best fits their circumstances. These professionals or businesses are popularly known as mortgage brokers and mortgage advisers.
There are two general types of intermediaries:
- tied intermediaries, which are restricted to offering the products of their partner lenders
- independent intermediaries, like most companies on our list, can source products from the whole UK market
If you’re a first-time buyer with a limited knowledge of how the mortgage process works, an intermediary can help save you time and money and avoid a lot of stress. These experts will know which lenders are most likely to approve your application and how you can get the best deal.
Our mortgage rates database should be part of every intermediary’s toolkit. It shows what the top 10 mortgage providers offer and how they compare against each other. This database is updated weekly, so your intermediary should have the most updated rates to share with you.
Some of the largest intermediaries in the UK don’t charge fees for their services, relying mostly on the commissions they receive from the lenders. You can access mortgage services by contacting these companies directly or visiting their branches. There is also an emerging breed of mortgage advisers that operate online only businesses.
Here are some of the areas where intermediaries can help you:
What are the pros and cons of using a mortgage intermediary?
Using the services of an intermediary comes with its share of benefits and drawbacks, although the pros mostly outweigh the cons. Here are some of them:
Pros of using a mortgage intermediary
- Having the peace of mind in knowing that an industry expert is guiding you in the process
- Spares you from the time-consuming process of comparing lenders on your own
- Finds you a lender that best matches your personal and financial situation
- Lets you access products that may be available only through brokers
- Boosts your chances of getting approved for a loan the first time, protecting your credit score
- Some intermediaries don’t charge fees for their services
- Online-first mortgage brokers allow clients to access their services 24/7
Cons of using a mortgage broker
- Some intermediaries charge large fees for their services
- Some brokers don’t have access to the whole market
- Some may refuse to cover you if you have unusual circumstances like bad credit or a history of default or late mortgage payments
How can you find the right intermediary for your needs?
Because of the sheer number of intermediaries in the UK, finding one that caters to your unique needs can be challenging. National intermediaries can give you access to more lenders, but local brokers may be able to provide more personalised services.
One of the best ways to go about this is by shopping around and comparing companies. Be on the lookout for brokers and advisers that offer services that fit your situation. You can also check out review sites or ask family and friends for recommendations.
Our Best in Mortgage Special Reports page is another good place to start your search. Here, we feature individuals and businesses who have been nominated by their peers and vetted by our panel of industry experts as reliable and trusted market leaders. By choosing to go with these award-winners, you can be sure that you’re partnering with intermediaries that have your best interests in mind.
How important is the role of intermediaries in the mortgage-buying process? Would you like to share your experience with working with one? We’d love to see your story below.
