YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers about our mortgage, protection and wealth management services. Choose a topic to find the information you need.
Mortgages
Buying, moving or reviewing your borrowing? Start with the questions that fit your plans.
Can you help me buy my first home?
Yes. We help you understand affordability, deposit requirements and the application process. You can speak to us before finding a property. Any Agreement in Principle is an indication of possible borrowing, not a guaranteed mortgage offer.
Can I take my mortgage with me when I move?
Some mortgage products can be ported to a new home, subject to a new application and lender approval. We review your existing deal, any additional borrowing and early repayment charges alongside the alternatives.
What should I consider when buying a new-build home?
Reservation deadlines, developer incentives and mortgage offer expiry dates can affect your purchase. We help you prepare the application and explain lender requirements, including what happens if completion is delayed.
Can you help with a self-build mortgage?
We can discuss finance for building your own home. Self-build borrowing is usually released in stages, so your budget, permissions, build schedule and cash flow need careful planning. The release arrangements depend on the lender and project.
When should I review my existing mortgage?
Contact us before your current deal ends so there is time to review the available options. We compare your circumstances, the overall cost of a new deal and any fees or early repayment charges before recommending a route.
What is a second charge loan?
It is additional borrowing secured against a property that already has a mortgage. Your existing mortgage remains in place. We consider affordability, fees and the total cost alongside other borrowing options. Your home is at risk if you cannot keep up the repayments.
How does an offset mortgage work?
An offset mortgage links eligible savings to your mortgage and uses that balance to reduce the amount on which interest is calculated. Product terms, access to savings and the cost compared with other mortgages need to be considered.
What makes a mortgage flexible?
Features may include overpayments, underpayments or payment breaks, depending on the lender and product. Limits, eligibility and charges vary. We explain the terms and the effect any change could have on the balance and repayment period.
Can you help with a buy-to-let mortgage?
Yes. We help landlords review mortgage options for a purchase or refinance. Lenders consider the property, expected rental income, deposit and your circumstances. Rental income and mortgage approval are not guaranteed.
Can a limited company apply for a buy-to-let mortgage?
Some lenders offer mortgages to eligible property companies. They may assess the directors and shareholders and require personal guarantees. We advise on the mortgage; the ownership structure and tax implications should also be discussed with your accountant or tax adviser.
Can I apply for a mortgage if I am a foreign national?
You may be able to, depending on your residency, visa, income, deposit and credit history. Criteria vary between lenders. We review your circumstances and the evidence available before exploring suitable options.
Can I get a mortgage if I am self-employed?
Yes, subject to lender criteria and affordability. The evidence needed depends on how your business is structured and how long you have traded. We help you prepare accounts, tax information and other income evidence requested by the lender.
Do you provide mortgage advice for professionals?
Yes. We help professional applicants explain their income and employment arrangements, including cases with changing contracts or more than one income source. Access to any specialist product depends on the lender's criteria.
Can I review my mortgage as I approach retirement?
Yes. We look at your current and expected retirement income, the mortgage term and your wider plans. Available options depend on affordability and lender criteria, and any borrowing needs to remain manageable in later life.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Some buy-to-let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Protection
Understand the cover available for your family, income, home and business.
How do I decide which personal protection I need?
We start with the people who depend on you, your income, debts, savings and existing workplace benefits. This helps us identify priorities and consider cover that fits your needs and budget.
What is life insurance designed to cover?
Life insurance can provide a payment if the insured person dies while the policy is in force, subject to its terms. It can help dependants with a mortgage, other debts or everyday living costs. The amount and length of cover should reflect your commitments.
How is critical illness cover different from life insurance?
Critical illness cover can pay a lump sum following a diagnosis that meets the policy's specified illness definitions and conditions. It does not cover every illness. Life insurance principally covers death, so the two types of cover address different needs.
What does income protection do?
Income protection can replace part of your earnings if illness or injury prevents you from working, after an agreed waiting period. The amount, duration and definition of incapacity depend on the policy. We consider existing sick pay and benefits when reviewing cover.
What does family protection planning include?
It brings together the financial needs of your household, such as childcare, bills, debts and longer-term commitments. We review existing cover and consider how life, critical illness and income protection might help address any gaps.
Does mortgage protection cover every missed payment?
No. Mortgage protection planning may involve life insurance, critical illness cover or income protection, each with different claim conditions. We explain which risks a proposed policy covers and how it relates to your mortgage and household budget.
What is the difference between buildings and contents insurance?
Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home against insured events. Contents insurance covers belongings, subject to policy limits and exclusions. We can discuss the cover needed for your property and possessions.
What is business protection for?
It helps a business plan for the financial impact of the death or serious illness of an owner or key person. We review the people, liabilities and ownership arrangements involved before considering suitable cover.
What is relevant life cover?
Relevant life cover is an individual life policy arranged by an employer for an eligible employee or director. Suitability depends on the employment and business circumstances. We explain the policy structure and involve tax or legal advisers where needed.
How can key person insurance help a business?
It can provide funds to the business following a covered event affecting someone important to its performance. The aim may be to support trading, recruitment or financial commitments. Cover and payment terms depend on the policy selected.
What does shareholder protection do?
It can help provide funds to support the purchase of shares following a shareholder's death or a covered serious illness. The arrangement must work with the business's valuation method and legal agreements; an insurance policy alone does not transfer ownership.
Can protection help with business succession in a partnership?
Partnership protection can help fund the purchase of a partner's interest following a covered event. We consider the partnership agreement, valuation and cover together, with legal advice needed to make sure the arrangements work as intended.
Cover is subject to insurer terms, exclusions and underwriting. Benefits depend on the policy selected and the circumstances of a claim.
Wealth management
Explore questions about investing, retirement and planning for your family's future.
What does wealth management involve?
We bring your goals, investments, pensions and family priorities into one financial plan. Advice takes account of your circumstances, time horizon, attitude to risk and capacity for loss before any recommendation is made.
What happens after my financial plan is set up?
Where an ongoing advice service is agreed, reviews help assess progress and changes in your circumstances. The scope, frequency and charges are explained as part of that agreement. Ongoing support is not automatically included with every piece of advice.
Can you help me with investments and ISAs?
Yes. We review your objectives, investment timescale and ability to accept losses before considering suitable investments and account types, including ISAs where appropriate. An ISA's tax treatment does not remove the risk of investment losses.
Can I save or invest for a child's future?
We can help you consider options around your goals for the child, the time available and the level of risk you can accept. Ownership, access and who controls the money differ between arrangements and need to be understood before you commit.
Can you help me plan my retirement income?
Yes. We review your pensions, other resources and expected spending to help you understand your retirement options. The plan considers when you want to retire, flexibility, investment risk and how long your money may need to last.
Should I combine my pensions?
Not necessarily. Bringing pensions together can simplify administration, but a transfer may mean losing valuable benefits or guarantees and can involve charges. We review the existing arrangements and risks before recommending whether consolidation is suitable.
Can you help me plan for later life and my family's future?
We help you consider later-life income, family support and estate planning as part of your wider financial plan. Legal documents and specialist tax matters may require advice from an appropriately qualified solicitor or tax adviser.
How does business planning fit with my personal finances?
Business income, pensions, investments and future ownership plans can affect your personal goals. We help bring those priorities together and coordinate with your other professional advisers where appropriate.
The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invest. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change.
Have a question about your circumstances?
Speak to our team about the service you are interested in.
