The Mortgage Company offers clients mortgages from the whole of the market, including fixed, tracker, discounts, variable and offset deals.
The Mortgage Company offers insurances from a wide range of insurers comprising of Life Cover, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, Family Protection Cover. For Buildings and Contents insurance and Accident sickness & unemployment insurance we offer products from a selected panel of providers.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
There is no charge for an initial consultation, however, for mortgage advice we can be paid a fee, usually £350
The Mortgage Company is an appointed representative of Sesame Ltd.
Buying a home
Whether you're a first time buyer, or next time buyer, buying a new home can seem like a daunting and expensive process, but at The Mortgage Company, our service is designed to save you time and money. Our expert, friendly mortgage advice will personilse your mortgage to suit your needs, requirements, circumstances and budgets. And as well as finding you the right mortgage, we'll also make sure it completes on time, making the whole process a lot less stressful.
Finding the right mortgage is all important in the house-buying process. Our website is packed with information to help you with your initial research – mortgage best buys, useful mortgage calculators and helpful mortgage information.
Once you've found a home to buy, our fully-qualified mortgage advisers will be happy to help you find the best mortgage for you – we’ve got advisers available 6 days a week so you can sort the mortgage out at a time that suits you.
In addition to this we canl also help you find the best value life insurance for your mortgage and get you competitive rates on the required legal work.
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Do I need life insurance?
There are far too many people in the UK with either insufficient life cover, or none at all and there are many reasons why people don’t protect themselves. Here are some of the most common objections when it comes to life insurance.
I don’t need life cover, I don’t have any dependents
With no dependants, life assurance might not be all that relevant to you, but it’s not the only type of cover to consider. Most of us rely on our income to cover our mortgage and other bills and to maintain our lifestyle, so what would happen if you were unable to work due to illness or injury?
These are also things that you can protect against – perhaps with a policy that pays out a cash lump sum or one that replaces your income. Policies like this are designed to give you financial peace of mind when you need it most.
I have protection through my employer
Cover through work can be a great benefit, but it can be limited and it may not always be enough to protect what is important to you. And remember, it will only be in place whilst you are working for that employer. With the average person changing employer every 5-7 years, can you be sure that you will definitely have this cover when you need it most?
It is important to know exactly what cover you have from your employer; how much they would pay in the event of sickness and for how long, how much death cover your family would be entitled to – unfortunately it is usually a lot less than we think and it is a good idea to know now, when we can review your cover, rather than when you come to make a claim.
I set all that up years ago when I bought the house
It is always a good idea to regularly review the cover you have and make sure that it adapts to your changing circumstances and needs. In terms of mortgage protection for example, a lot of things can change over a 25-year term and the cover you have may need to change too – whether it’s the amount of cover or how long the cover is for. There are also things such as a growing family to think about.
The other thing to consider is that the cost of life assurance has come down over recent years, so while you might have the right level of cover, you could be paying too much for it.
My family would help me out if I needed help
Of course your family will help if they are able to, but would they be able to provide all the financial support you’d need? Would this help definitely be available throughout the whole term of your mortgage? The right protection will give you and your family the certainty that financial support will be there when you need it.
I’ve got savings I can fall back on
You may have savings put aside, but if your income stopped tomorrow, how long would that money last if it had to cover all your bills, mortgage, food, transport & lifestyle costs. If you are saving for something like retirement or your children’s education, you’ll also need to think how you would replace these savings if you had to call on them to replace your income. A suitable protection policy will allow you to safeguard your savings for the important things.
I don’t need it yet, I’ll sort it out when I’m a bit older
Unfortunately there is no simple rule that tells you when you’re the right age to take out life insurance, but if you have a need for cover, you should have it. The good news is that the best time to buy protection is when you are young, fit and healthy, as the premiums are cheaper – and with guaranteed premiums you can fix the cost for the whole term of the policy.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I have to have life cover if I have a mortgage?
It is not compulsory, but it is something you should consider carefully. If you were unable to keep up your mortgage payments for whatever reason, your mortgage lender has the right to sell your home and take the proceeds. A life insurance policy to cover your mortgage will give you the peace of mind that, if you die, your family can clear the debt and avoid the risk of losing the family home.
I don’t have a mortgage, do I still need protection?
A mortgage is not the only thing in people’s lives that needs protecting. You should consider all aspects of your finances whether you have a mortgage or not and it is a good idea to regularly review the cover you have. Everyone’s needs and priorities are different but you might want to consider protecting your income should you be unable to work or are made redundant – you may also want to look at provision for your family should the worst happen. The important thing is not over insuring, but making sure that you are insured for the right things in the right way.
What is the difference between life insurance and critical illness?
Both policies provide a tax-free lump sum, but whilst life insurance will pay out should you die, a critical illness policy will pay out if you are diagnosed with a specified critical illness, regardless of how that illness develops. In both cases, the money can be used for whatever you like; it could be used to pay off your mortgage or other debts, to replace lost income, or to pay for private medical treatments.
Life assurance or life insurance – what’s the difference?
Nothing, they’re two names that describe the same thing – a policy that pays out a set amount if you were to die before the end of the policy term (also referred to as term assurance). Technically speaking, insurance is a policy that will only pay out in certain circumstances, whereas assurance covers a guaranteed event.
How much cover should I have?
There is no set rule that says how much you should have – it really comes down to your circumstances and your budget. If you have a mortgage and a family, your needs will be very different to those of a single person who rents, but each person should consider protection of some sort, whether it’s for clearing debts, replacing income or looking after family. We recommend that you speak to one of our expert advisers for some free advice – they can make sure you have the right sort of cover to suit you.
What if I can’t afford it?
Some cover is always better than none at all. In an ideal world we would all have as much protection as we need, but unfortunately we do not have limitless budgets. If your budget it tight, our expert advisers can tailor a package of protection that works for you and your wallet.
If I cancel my current life insurance policy to replace it with a new cheaper one, will I have to pay a penalty?
Term assurance policies do not have a surrender value or impose penalties for cancellation. They will provide you with the cover set out under the terms of the policy, so long as you pay the premiums – if you stop paying the premiums, the cover will stop too.
If you are thinking of changing policies, make sure you are not reducing the quality of your cover – check that any new policy gives you the same amount of cover for the same period of time. Are the premiums guaranteed? If it’s a critical illness policy, are you covered for the same range of illnesses? If you are in doubt, speak to an adviser. If all that looks ok, then you can certainly switch to a cheaper policy, but make sure that you never cancel an existing policy before the new one is up and running.
Do critical illness policies actually pay out, the press is not good?
Critical illness policies are a lot more complex than life insurance, as there are certain illnesses that are covered and some that aren’t. There are two main reasons why a critical illness policy would not pay out: firstly the claim does not meet the insurer’s criteria and secondly, information given by the customer when they applied for the policy was inaccurate or incomplete.
At The Mortgage Company we are very aware of this issue and want to make sure that our clients can feel confident in the cover they take out through us. We regularly review the claims history, service and illness definitions of the major life insurance companies to ensure that you get the best cover. We also give you the opportunity to complete your application over the phone, so as long as you are open and honest, we’ll make sure that all the information is accurate and complete.
I’ve had some medical problems in the past, is that going to rule me out?
Previous medical problems may well have an impact and what cover you can get and at what cost, but it is certainly something we can research further for you. Life insurance companies will typically charge higher premiums to people with certain illnesses or conditions, but how much they charge and for what can vary considerably, so it is always worth making sure you are with the right insurer for you. If this is something you would like help with, please give one of our protection specialists a call.
Do I have to do this now?
It is never a good idea to delay these things, when you have established you have a need for protection, the best thing to do is to get the cover in place as soon as possible as you never know what is around the corner.
Insuring yourself if not like insuring your home or car, it is not generally instantaneous, and particularly in the case of critical illness can require GP reports and thorough underwriting, all of which takes time. If you need cover for a set date, like the start of the mortgage or the birth of a child, it is a good idea to make sure it is underwritten as soon as possible, in most cases if it does get underwritten more quickly it can simply sit and wait until you choose to put it in force.
Life insurance applications are bound to involve loads of forms and medicals aren’t they?
We believe that taking out life cover should be as painless as possible, so instead of leaving you to complete a 30-40 page form on your own, we will arrange a telephone interview with a member of our applications team to record all the details at a time that is convenient to you. There may well be the need for further information, but we will be on hand to help and to answer any queries you may have to make it as smooth a process as possible.
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Remortgages
Are you paying too much for your mortgage? Does your current deal not suit your budget or circumstances? Switching your mortgage to a new deal can be one of the best money-saving moves you can make.
At The Mortgage Company, our expert advisers can help you find the right deal. Unlike a lot of brokers, we look across the whole of the market which means you get the best chance of finding a deal that suits you. We’ll also manage your application from start to finish, saving you time and hassle.
If you're looking for a remortgage, our website is packed with information to help you with your initial research – mortgage best buys, useful mortgage calculators and helpful mortgage articles.
When the time comes, our advisers are available 6 days a week so you can sort the mortgage out at a time that suits you.
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Types Of Cover Explained
The term 'life insurance' is used to describe a number of different types of cover, each with its own features and benefits. Although they work in different ways, they all have similar aims – to offer you and your family financial peace of mind and to help you protect your future.
Level Term Life Assurance (LTA):
A Level Term Assurance policy pays out a sum of money in the event of your death during the term of the policy. It’s called a ‘level’ term assurance because the amount of cover (also known as the 'sum assured') stays the same throughout the length of the policy. The sum assured and the term are set at the start of the policy.
The cash lump sum is paid tax free and can be used by your dependants however they choose. Level Term assurance is often taken out to help pay off a mortgage and is most suited to interest only mortgages, where the amount owed does not decrease over time.
Decreasing Term Life Assurance (DTA):
Decreasing Term Assurance also pays out a cash lump sum in the event of your death, however the amount paid out decreases over time. These policies are usually taken alongside a repayment mortgage so that the amount paid out is the same as the amount left on the mortgage. As the amount of cover decreases over time, the premiums for decreasing cover are typically slightly cheaper compared to level cover.
Family Income Benefit (FIB):
Family Income Benefit is designed to pay out an amount of cover in the event of death, but instead of providing a one-off cash lump sum, it pays a regular, tax-free income until the end of the policy term. This can be a suitable option for people who would rather that their dependants receive a regular income, rather than have to decide what to do with a one-off lump sum.
The term of the policy can be chosen to fit your family’s circumstances; for example to take your youngest child to age 18 or 21 and the amount of cover you chose can be linked to inflation to ensure that, in the event of a claim, the benefit keeps its real value and spending power.
Critical Illness (CI):
A critical illness policy is designed to pay out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness like some forms of cancer, some forms of heart attack or stroke (and many other illnesses depending on the policy). The money is paid once the diagnosis is confirmed and you can use it however you wish – whether that’s to pay off your mortgage, pay for medical treatment or drugs or even take a holiday.
Because Critical Illness cover is designed to cover a specific list of illnesses and events, the quality of the policy you take out is key. Whilst some policies are cheaper than others, they may not cover you for certain illnesses that other, more comprehensive policies do.
Income Protection (PHI):
An Income Protection policy pays out a monthly income to replace a proportion of your salary in the event that you are unable to work as a result of an accident or sickness. It will pay out after a set amount of time has passed (decided by you at the start of the policy) and will continue to pay until you are either well enough to return to work, you reach retirement age or the end of the policy term.
These policies can be taken in two forms; all three elements covered (accident, sickness and redundancy) or you could choose to protect just in the event of accident or sickness.
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Holly Dixon
Administrator
Holly joined the company in March 2010 as Junior Administrator and has become a valued member of the team, Holly enjoys helping clients get their Mortgage and Insurances through as smoothly and as quickly as possible and has a very mature attitude and understanding during what can be a stressful time. Holly lives in Long Eaton and in her spare time enjoys keeping fit and is a regular visitor to the local Gym.
Tara Morledge
Office Manager
Tara began her career at the Robert Ellis office in Ilkeston in 1989 as office junior and gained a vast amount of experience in the property market, in 1996 she joined the Long Eaton office as sales negotiator making sure property sales went through smoothly and successfully. In 2005, having gained a wealth of knowledge in this area Tara was offered a position with The Mortgage Company as Administrator / Business Developer and has worked extremely hard to bring the business forward, she now leads a very successful team. Tara lives in the West of Nottingham with her partner and young daughter and in her spare time is a very talented Golfer.
Lezlie Parnell
Partner
Lezlie has worked in the property market since she left school and has gained a vast amount of knowledge over the years. She joined The Mortgage Company in 1990 working out of the Robert Ellis office in Beeston and over the years has worked out of all the Agency offices, Lezlie became a Partner in the company in 1994 is fully FPC and CeMap qualified is and has arranged Mortgages and Insurances for hundreds of clients many of which have returned to re-mortgage or have moved to a larger property after having children, she has seen their families grow and many have become personal friends. Lezlie lives in Chilwell and has two grown up sons and 4 wonderful grandchildren. In her spare time Lezlie enjoys going for long walks and socializing.
Tim Marcer
Partner
Tim joined The Mortgage Company in June 2000 working out of the Robert Ellis office in Long Eaton, he became a Partner in 2002 as a result of his successful contribution to the company. Tim has worked in the Financial Services industry for 16 years is fully FPC and CeMap qualified and has a wealth of experience in both the Mortgage and Insurance markets. Tim is married with a young daughter and lives in Derbyshire, in his spare time he enjoys playing golf and supporting his favourite football team.
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APR (Annual percentage rate)
The true cost of the mortgage over the full term, set out as a yearly rate, including all fees, terms and interest. The calculation assumes that you maintain the mortgage for the full term (for example, 25 years). APR is a standard calculation in the mortgage industry and allows mortgages from all lenders to be compared.
Arrangement fee
It is very likely you will be charged an arrangement fee by the lender when taking out a mortgage - however our advisers will be able to talk you through the conditions that apply.
Arrears
If you go into arrears it means that you have 'defaulted' at least once on your mortgage repayments. You will owe a sum of money 'in arrears' to your lender. If you find yourself in this situation you should contact your mortgage lender to seek help as soon as possible.
ASU, Accident, Sickness & Unemployment cover
An annually renewable policy providing short term cover if you are unable to work due to sickness, injury or redundancy. Similar to, but not to be confused with Income Protection as it does not pay out for as long or pay out as much.
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Bank of England base rate
The rate set by the Bank of England, which is reflected in the interest rates charged by lenders.
Building survey
An extensive survey, carried out by a qualified surveyor, to spot faults and potential problems in the property you are buying.
Buy to let
A buy to let property is purchased with the sole intention of renting it out to a tenant as an investment. Some mortgage lenders offer special 'buy to let' mortgage deals for this purpose.
Buy to let mortgage
The main difference with a buy to let mortgage is that the lender takes into account the rent you will earn from the property as the primary source of income. Some may also take the landlord's personal income into account.
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Capital
The amount you have borrowed on the mortgage, on which interest will be charged.
Capped rates
With a capped rate, you will pay a variable interest rate but your payments won't go above a certain amount for a set period of time.
Cash back mortgages
Cash back mortgages generally pay out a cash lump sum to the mortgage loan borrower upon the completion of the mortgage.
CIC or Critical illness cover
Will pay the policy holder a lump sum on diagnosis of a range of specified illness (refer to specific policy terms and conditions for further details) - the illness may vary but generally include the major illnesses like cancer, heart attack and stroke.
Completion
When you become the legal owner of the property.
Completion fees
Some lenders charge completion fees in additional to an application fee, although these fees are less common. Completion fees are usually charged on the day that the mortgage completes.
Conveyancing
The legal work involved in selling and buying property.
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Defaulting
If you cannot meet your minimum required monthly mortgage repayment and go into arrears on your mortgage, this is known as 'defaulting'. If this happens you should speak to your mortgage lender about how to remedy the situation and there are also Government schemes designed to help people whose homes are at risk from repossession.
Deposit
This is the amount you are required to pay towards the cost of the property yourself. Borrowers typically now have to pay at least 10%+ of the value of their home in the form of a deposit. Typically the more deposit you are able to put down the lower the interest rate is likely to be, and typically there will be a wider range of mortgage deals to choose from.
Disbursements
The fees, such as stamp duty and Land Registry fees which you pay to the conveyancer or solicitor.
Discounted rate mortgage
A discounted rate deal is one where the interest rate you are charged is a set amount less than your mortgage lender's standard variable rate (SVR). For example, if the lender has an SVR of 5.5% and the discount is 1% then you will actually end up paying 4.5%.
DTA or Decreasing Term Assurance
A form of life assurance where the sum assured reduces over the term of the policy - often used to protect a repayment (capital and interest) mortgage.
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Early repayment charge
The charge some lenders make if a mortgage is paid off early.
Equity
The total value of your property less the amount of the mortgage and any other secured loans you have.
Estate agency fees
These will differ by agent, some will charge upfront fees and some may charge fees at the completion of the sale. The cost is likely to be based on a percentage of the property value, so it is best to get a quote before proceeding. It is best that you speak directly with your chosen estate agent to find out what costs apply in your case.
Exchange of contracts
The point where the property sale becomes legally binding.
External inspection valuation
This is a very straightforward valuation which normally occurs when the amount you're borrowing is well below the value of the property and is particularly useful for remortgages. The surveyor will estimate the value of the property by viewing it from the road.
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Fixed rates
Gives you the security that your monthly payments are the same. With this type of mortgage, you pay a fixed rate of interest for a set period typically over 2, 3 or 5 years, so you know exactly what you'll be paying each month even if interest rates change.
Flexible mortgages
You can vary the amount you pay each month and take payment holidays in some circumstances. It may help to reduce your mortgage with lump sum payments without incurring an early repayment charge.
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Guarantor
If your income isn't enough to secure a mortgage in your own right, you could ask a guarantor to guarantee the mortgage repayments for you. Your guarantor is fully liable for repaying the mortgage if you default on the loan.
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Higher lender charge
Not all lenders charge these, but if you borrow a high percentage e.g. if you borrow more than 75% of the price of the property, you may have to pay this type of fee.
Home information packs
Every home no matter what size, must have a home information pack. It brings together valuable information at the start of the house buying process and includes a sale statement, local searches, evidence of title and an energy performance certificate.
Homebuy schemes
These are government schemes designed to help existing tenants and key workers (nurses, teachers and social tenants) to get onto the property ladder.
Homebuyer survey
This service includes a valuation but also contains a report on the condition of the property, highlighting any defects that the surveyor has spotted.
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Index linked
Where the level of cover provided under a policy increases over time - this is often used to 'inflation proof' cover and often linked to the Retail Price Index.
Interest
The money you are charged for borrowing.
Interest-only mortgage
With this type of mortgage you are only paying interest each month. This means that although your payments will be lower the amount you borrow will still be outstanding at the end of the mortgage term. You'll need to make alternative arrangements to pay off the mortgage to avoid the property having to be sold, such as taking out an ISA.
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Joint life
Where a life insurance policy is covering two individuals.
Joint life 1st death
The sum assured is paid on the death of whichever of the two lives dies first. In this case, the two lives assured are normally also joint policy holders, and the sum assured would be paid direct to the policy holder.
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Land Registry fee
A fee paid to the Land Registry to register ownership of a property.
Lease
A legal contract which gives the ownership of a leasehold property to the buyer for a fixed period of time.
Lender
Provide the loan to buy the property.
Life assured
The person on whose life or death the payment of the sum assured depends. The life assured is not always the same person as the policy holder.
LTA or Level Term Assurance
A form of life assurance where the sum assured under the policy remains constant over the policy term.
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Mortgage
A loan to buy a property. The property acts as security for the loan and so can be repossessed and sold if the mortgage repayments are not made.
Mortgage application fees
Fees charged by the lender to organise the mortgage for you. These are not usually refunded if you then do not go ahead with the mortgage. Some lenders will only charge such fees for specific mortgage deals.
Mortgage deed
The legal agreement which gives the lender a legal right to the property.
Mortgage term
The length of time over which the mortgage will be repaid.
MPPI or Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance
Fundamentally the same thing as ASU (Accident, Sickness and Unemployment cover).
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Offer of advance
The formal offer of a mortgage from a lender.
Offset mortgages
Your main current account, savings account or both are linked to your mortgage. Each month, the amount in these accounts is offset against your outstanding mortgage before working out the interest you owe. You are unlikely to earn interest on your savings which are offset against your mortgage.
On risk
The point at which your policy comes into effect.
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Policy holder
The policy holder is the owner of the policy and responsible for paying the premiums. The sum assured will be paid to the policy holder unless other arrangements are made.
Portabality
Your mortgage broker or lender will be able to tell you if your mortgage is portable or not. A portable mortgage may enable you to transfer borrowing from one property to another, sometimes to avoid additional fees or keep a specific discounted rate.
Provider
The company providing the cover i.e. life asurance or buildings and contents.
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Redemption
Paying off a mortgage.
Remortgage
If you are looking to change your mortgage to a different deal, but you're not looking to move home then you are 'remortgaging'.
Renewable premiums
Where the premium is subject to review and potential increase over the term of the policy.
Renewable Term Assurance
A term assurance of life assurance policy that contains an option, which can be exercised at the end of term, to renew the policy for the same sum assured without further medical evidence.
Repayment mortgage
With this type of mortgage (also known as capital and interest) you repay part of the amount borrowed together with the interest being charged each month. In the earlier years, the majority of your monthly repayment is made up of interest, however towards the latter part of your mortgage term the situation is reversed with the majority of your monthly payment reducing the amount borrowed.
Reservation fees
This is a 'front end' charge levied by several home lenders. The idea is you're asked to pay the fee (typically £100 to £300) to secure the funds you are intending to borrow. It is sometimes described as an administration or booking fee.
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Self certification mortgage
Also known as 'self cert', these mortgages were developed for self-employed people. Applicants who ran their own business or don't technically have an employer were granted a mortgage without having to confirm their income by way of a P60, payslips, accounts, etc. In the current economic climate, these mortgages have virtually disappeared but they might re-appear again in the future.
Shared ownership
Shared ownership schemes are designed to allow people who would otherwise be unable to get a foot on the property ladder to do so. The home buyer will enter into an agreement, usually with a local housing association, which sees them take out a mortgage on a share of the property and pay rent on the remainder. The portion that is owned will vary depending on the circumstances.
Solicitor/conveyancing fees
Conveyancing is the legal process to transfer the ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. If you are buying a property, your solicitor generally works on behalf of the mortgage lender, who usually insists on certain searches before they will release them money for your property.
Stamp duty
When you buy property, you may need to pay stamp duty. Following the March 2010 budget, the stamp duty threshold has changed to: Up to £125,000 - 0%, Up to £250,000 (for first time buyers) - 0%, £125,001-£250,000 - 1%, £250,001-£500,000 - 3%, £500,001-£1,000,000 - 4%, over £1,000,000 - 5% (from April 2011).
Standard variable rate
This is a rate set by the lender, your payments may rise and fall in line with the Bank of England base rate changes, but not necessarily at the same time or by the same amount or at all. Your lender may not necessarily pass on the change in base rate immediately.
Structural survey
This is a detailed report that's tailored to your needs and can include tests on drains or utilities. It could be very useful if you're buying an older or unusual home or you're thinking about building an extension.
Sub prime/non-conforming
A sub-prime mortgage, also known as a non-conforming mortgage, is geared towards those with a less than perfect credit history. This could be bankruptcy or county court judgements (CCJs), or you could have fallen into arrears in the past. These products, because of their circumstances, have higher rates, but mean that those who couldn't otherwise obtain finance for their property purchase can do so. It is now much harder to get a mortgage if you have had credit problems than before the credit crunch.
Subject to survey and contract
Wording included in any agreement before the exchange of contracts. This wording allows the seller or buyer to withdraw from the property sale.
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Terminal illness cover
An option included in life assurance policies whereby the life company will pay out if the policy holder is terminally ill - this should not be confused with Critical Illness Cover (CIC).
Tie-in period
This is the period during which you are 'locked in' to your mortgage deal and will pay an early repayment charge to move your mortgage elsewhere - for example, if you have a 2 year fixed, your tie-in period might be for 2 years. Once an initial deal is up, you will typically move from your introductory rate to your mortgage lender's standard variable rate (SVR), which is usually higher, so if you don't have to pay early repayment charges to switch to a new deal at this point you may well save money by doing so.
Title deeds
The legal documents which set out the ownership of a property.
Tracker rates
Tracker rates are usually linked to the Bank of England base rate, which means they'll change in line with changes to the base rate.
Trust
If a policy is written in trust, then you can help determine who should benefit from the policy when it is eventually paid.
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Underwriter
The role of the underwriter is to look at individuals based on knowledge of that individual - e.g. medical history, hereditary illnesses, occupation, sporting activities. For the life assurance, they will assess the risk and decide whether to offer cover and if so at what price. For mortgages they will decide whether to lend.
Utmost good faith
Is a minimum standard that requires both the parties (life company and life assured) to act honestly towards each other and to not mislead or refrain from providing critical information to the other.
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Valuation
This is the most basic type of survey and is the mortgage lender's inspection of the property to assess whether it is suitable for a mortgage.
Valuation and survey fees
You will need to get a valuation and survey carried out on the house you want to buy. A valuation will value the property and tell you how much it is worth, whilst a survey will tell you about the structure of the property and any faults that it may have. There are 3 levels of valuation / surveys 1. A basic valuation, 2. Homebuyers survey, 3. Full structural survey.
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Waiver of premium (WOP)
Is an additional option that can be taken out with most forms for protection. The insurance company will pay the premiums due on a life assurance policy if the policy holder is unable to do so because they are unable to work due to accident or illness. The insurance company will pay the premiums for you until you are able to return to work.
Will
If you do not make a will then you will die Intestate and will lose control over the proceeds of your estate.
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