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Mortgage guides
Whether you are taking out your first mortgage or reviewing an existing deal, these guides explain the key decisions — from choosing between fixed and tracker rates to deciding whether overpaying makes financial sense.
How UK mortgages actually work
A mortgage is a loan secured against your property, repaid over a set term — usually 25 to 35 years. Two decisions shape almost everything else: how much you can borrow, and what type of interest rate you take. Lenders typically cap borrowing at 4 to 4.5 times your income, then apply an affordability stress test to check you could still cover payments if rates rose. On top of the amount, you choose between a fixed rate (payments stay the same for 2, 5 or 10 years) and a tracker or variable rate (payments move with the Bank of England base rate).
Most residential mortgages are on a repayment basis, meaning each monthly payment covers some interest and some capital, so the loan is fully paid off by the end of the term. Buy-to-let mortgages are more often interest-only, where the monthly payment covers interest alone and the capital is repaid separately, typically by selling the property. Whichever you're comparing, the deal's initial rate, its arrangement fee and what happens after the introductory period ends (the lender's standard variable rate) all matter more than the headline rate alone.
Articles
Should I overpay my mortgage?
Overpaying vs saving — with real UK scenarios and after-tax comparisons.
Repayment vs interest-only mortgage
The key differences and which works best for homebuyers vs landlords.
How much mortgage can I afford?
How lenders assess affordability and what affects your borrowing limit.
How much can I borrow?
Income multiples, stress tests and the lender criteria that matter most.
Fixed vs tracker mortgages explained
Pros, cons and when to choose each type in the current rate environment.
Credit score for a UK mortgage
What score lenders look for and how to improve yours before applying.
How long does mortgage approval take?
Timelines from application through to offer and completion.
25 vs 35 year mortgage
Monthly cost difference and total interest over a longer term.
Interest-only mortgage calculator UK
Monthly payments and total cost on an interest-only basis.
Can you get a mortgage with bad credit?
Specialist lenders, adverse credit criteria, and how to improve your chances of approval.
Mortgage calculators
Mortgage Calculator UK
Monthly repayments across any rate and term
Mortgage Affordability Calculator
Estimate how much you could borrow
Mortgage Overpayment Calculator
Interest saved and years cut by overpaying
Interest-Only Mortgage Calculator
Monthly cost on an interest-only basis
Mortgage Calculator UK
Repayments across any rate, term, and loan size
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About the author
✓ Editorially reviewed — all Poqet guides are checked for factual accuracy before publication and updated when UK rates or legislation change. Editorial Policy