Look for relevant case experience
A first purchase, a product change and self-employed income can involve different evidence and processes. Outline the assignment, income source and expected transaction date in the initial enquiry. Ask whether the broker handles comparable circumstances and what information is needed for the first discussion.
Establish which lenders and products they consider and any limits on that search. A promise to find a mortgage is difficult to compare without understanding its scope. Keep bank statements, detailed income records and identity documents out of public requests.
Verify the firm and its permissions
FCA’s guidance explains how to check a firm or individual. Use the FCA Firm Checker to establish whether the firm has permission for the service sought. Match its name, reference number and contact details with those supplied to you; a matching number alone does not identify the organisation contacting you.
If the broker is an appointed representative, ask which principal they work through and check that relationship in the Financial Services Register. Catalogue labels do not replace the official record. Authorisation also does not guarantee that your application will be accepted.
Clarify fees and payment stages
Ask for the broker’s charge, any remuneration from a lender and the terms if the engagement ends before completion. Request lender and third-party transaction charges separately. A consultation price displayed in a profile is not the total cost of borrowing.
Define application support
Discuss the review of initial information, document preparation, submission and responses to the lender. Establish who keeps you informed and how changes to the purchase timetable are handled. Product suitability and access to borrowing depend on individual circumstances; this guide helps you choose a practitioner rather than select a loan.
