Best mortgage lending companies

A mortgage lender, usually a bank or building society, is the financial institution that lends you the money to buy a property. This is different from a mortgage broker, who acts as the middle person between you and the lender.

A mortgage broker helps you find a lender who offers the best deal, but you can also apply directly to a lender if you prefer. Finding the right lender for you will depend on your own unique circumstances. For example, if you’re looking for a mortgage lender as a first time buyer; want to buy with a small deposit; need flexibility to make overpayments; buying a shared ownership or right to buy property; are looking to buy while self-employed; or perhaps have a history of bad credit. Different lenders offer different rates and packages that might suit your needs better, but basing a decision on who offers the best mortgage rates isn’t always enough, especially with so many lenders to choose from. We’d suggest always reading reviews to see which lenders are recommended by customers, which is exactly why we’ve created our best rated mortgage lender tables. 

Mortgage lenders want reassurance that you'll be able to repay the amount you've asked to borrow. They fully assess your affordability by looking at things like your income, proof of deposit, credit history, debts and spending habits including overdraft use, as well as your employment stability which is particularly important if you’re self-employed. 

Yes, you can switch mortgage lenders through a process called remortgaging. You can remortgage when your current deal is ending, your financial situation has changed or you want to take a more affordable interest rate deal. Depending on when you remortgage, you might need to pay extra fees as some mortgage lenders include an Early Repayment Charge (EPC). This can be triggered by the remortgaging process and is  usually a percentage of your outstanding mortgage amount.

Bigger mortgage lenders may have a larger number of products to choose from, but bigger doesn’t always mean better. Smaller lenders may offer a better overall experience, which is why it's a good idea to read the reviews of verified customers to find the best rated mortgage companies when you want to compare mortgages.

There are six main types of mortgages available: fixed-rate mortgages; tracker mortgages; discount mortgages; standard variable rate (SVR) mortgages; offset mortgages; interest only mortgages. The type of mortgage you’ll qualify for will depend on your individual circumstances, as will the type of mortgage that works best for you. This is why it’s a good idea to work with a trusted mortgage broker to make sure you get the best deals.