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News & Guides
Plain-English mortgage guides, market updates and the occasional bit of Belle Maison news — all written to help you make confident decisions about your home.
46 articles
The 2026 Homeowner Check-Up. Four Things Worth Reviewing This Year
Four key areas every homeowner should review in 2026 — from mortgage deals and protection cover to home insurance and ho…
15 Mar 2026 · 4 min read
Selling in Spring 2026? A Practical Checklist
Spring brings more buyers but also more competing listings. A practical checklist to get your home, your paperwork and y…
26 Feb 2026 · 6 min read
Could Your Household Cope if Your Payslip Stopped?
If illness or injury stopped you working, even for a few months, what would happen to the mortgage? A mortgage reality c…
26 Feb 2026 · 7 min read
Mortgage Deal Ending This Year? What to Do Now
If your mortgage deal ends this year, acting early can widen your choice of lenders and help you avoid slipping onto you…
26 Feb 2026 · 6 min read
The Home Insurance Detail Many Homeowners Miss
Home insurance is often treated as a simple renewal, but small policy details can leave you underinsured and facing an e…
29 Jan 2026 · 5 min read
House Prices Set for a Gentle Rise in 2026
Rightmove expects UK house prices to rise by around 2 per cent in 2026, marking a more stable phase after a flat period.…
29 Jan 2026 · 4 min read
Bank of England Rate Cut to 3.75%—What It Means for Your Mortgage
On 18 December 2025, the Bank of England (BoE) cut the base rate from 4% to 3.75%, taking interest rates to their lowest…
18 Dec 2025 · 3 min read
Common Bank Statement Mistakes That Could Delay Your Mortgage
Lenders scrutinise your bank statements closely when you apply for a mortgage — here are the most common red flags to av…
27 Nov 2025 · 4 min read
How new energy efficiency rules could affect UK landlords and tenants
The Government is preparing major changes to energy efficiency requirements for rental properties — what the proposed EP…
27 Nov 2025 · 4 min read
Important warning about mortgage "quick fixes" circulating online this Christmas
The FCA has issued a firm warning about so-called promissory note schemes being promoted online — here's what homeowners…
27 Nov 2025 · 4 min read
A Guide to the Autumn Budget 2025
A summary of the key announcements from Chancellor Rachel Reeves's 2025 Autumn Budget, covering tax, wages, housing, tra…
26 Nov 2025 · 3 min read
End of No-Fault Evictions in Biggest Shake-Up to Renting Laws in a Generation
The Renters’ Rights Act received Royal Assent in October 2025, abolishing no-fault evictions, raising property standards…
30 Oct 2025 · 5 min read
How to Choose the Right Investment Property in 2025
With rental demand strong and borrowing costs elevated, choosing the right buy-to-let property in 2025 requires a clear…
30 Oct 2025 · 5 min read
Mortgage Product Transfer vs Remortgaging: Why Advice Can Make All the Difference
When your mortgage deal ends, staying with your lender isn't always the cheapest option — here's why professional advice…
30 Oct 2025 · 4 min read
Why Autumn is the Perfect Time to Review Your Income Protection
Autumn is a natural moment to check whether your financial safety nets still fit your life — especially income protectio…
15 Oct 2025 · 4 min read
First-Time Buyers Now Spend £163,000 on Rent Before Buying – Why This Matters to Homeowners and Landlords
New research shows first-time buyers now spend £163,000 on rent before purchasing — a 40% rise in a decade — with knock-…
25 Sept 2025 · 6 min read
Nearly 5,000 Fake FCA Scams Reported in Just Six Months
Fraudsters pretending to be the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have targeted thousands of people this year, with almo…
25 Sept 2025 · 4 min read
When Will Interest Rates Drop and What It Means for Your Mortgage
Economists are split on how far base-rate cuts will go. What the forecasts mean for homeowners and landlords — updated s…
25 Sept 2025 · 5 min read
HMRC Warning After 170,000 Taxpayers Targeted by Scammers – How to Stay Protected
HMRC received over 170,000 scam referrals in the year to July 2025 — here's how to spot fake tax refund fraud and protec…
28 Aug 2025 · 3 min read
Why Reviewing Your Protection Cover Matters When Remortgaging
Remortgaging isn't just about chasing a lower rate — it's the ideal moment to check whether your life insurance, income…
28 Aug 2025 · 4 min read
Mortgage Deal Ending in 2026? What to Do Now
Around 1.6 million fixed-rate mortgage deals end in 2025–26. You can usually lock in a new rate up to six months early —…
10 Aug 2025 · 5 min read
5× Income Mortgages: Lenders Cutting Income Rules
Skipton, Nationwide and Yorkshire Building Society have cut the income needed for 5× and 6× salary mortgages. The new th…
7 Aug 2025 · 5 min read
Thousands of Landlords to Face Quarterly Tax Reporting Under New HMRC Rules
Landlords across Britain are being warned to prepare for a major tax shake-up that will affect thousands from April 2026…
3 Aug 2025 · 5 min read
Young Homeowners Risk Losing Homes as Thousands Remain Unprotected
Thousands of young homeowners have no protection in place if illness or job loss strikes. Why 18–34s are most exposed, a…
28 Jul 2025 · 4 min read
Simple Summer Projects That Could Add Thousands to Your Home’s Value
The summer home improvements that genuinely add value — practical, budget-friendly projects UK homeowners can tackle, an…
21 Jul 2025 · 5 min read
Does Sick Leave Affect Your Mortgage Application?
Sick leave can affect a mortgage application: lenders assess your current income in affordability checks, and SSP of £12…
7 Jul 2025 · 4 min read
Home Insurance and Emergency Cover: Are You Protected for Summer Risks?
Summer brings specific home insurance risks many homeowners overlook — this guide covers what to check on your buildings…
3 Jul 2025 · 4 min read
Mortgage Timebomb: Could Your Monthly Repayments Be About to Soar?
Millions of fixed-rate mortgage deals taken out at pandemic-era lows are ending — the average household faces a £146-a-m…
3 Jul 2025 · 4 min read
HMRC Plans to Raise Side Hustle Tax Threshold and Strengthen Anti-Tax Evasion Measures
HMRC plans to raise the self-assessment threshold for side incomes from £1,000 to £3,000 and is exploring whistleblower…
27 Mar 2025 · 3 min read
How First-Time Buyers Can Get a Mortgage – A Guide to Government Schemes and Support
From 95% mortgages and the Lifetime ISA to Shared Ownership and family guarantor schemes, this guide covers the main rou…
27 Mar 2025 · 6 min read
Labour Government Plans to End Leasehold for New Flats
The Labour Government plans to replace leasehold with commonhold for new flats in England and Wales — what the proposed…
27 Mar 2025 · 4 min read
Spring Statement 2025: What You Need to Know
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her first Spring Statement on 26 March 2025 — here are the key announcements on housi…
26 Mar 2025 · 4 min read
Landlords Face £15,000 EPC Upgrade Bill as Government Confirms 2030 Deadline
The government has confirmed all rental properties must reach EPC rating C by 2030, with upgrade costs capped at £15,000…
27 Feb 2025 · 3 min read
The Government's Help to Build Scheme: Making Custom and Self-Build Homes More Accessible
The government's Help to Build equity loan scheme, combined with specialist self-build mortgages, is making it genuinely…
27 Feb 2025 · 5 min read
Buy-to-Let Mortgages Explained: A Guide for UK Landlords
How buy-to-let mortgages work in the UK — rental cover (ICR), interest-only vs repayment, deposits, limited company ques…
18 Nov 2024 · 10 min read
Self-Employed Mortgage Guide: What UK Lenders Look For
Can you get a mortgage when you're self-employed? Yes. How lenders assess sole traders, company directors and contractor…
18 Nov 2024 · 10 min read
Stamp Duty Uncovered: How Much Will You Really Pay?
How stamp duty works in England and Northern Ireland: current rates, first-time buyer relief, the second-home surcharge…
17 Sept 2024 · 10 min read
Is a remortgage right for you?
Is a remortgage right for you? The benefits, the considerations and the alternatives — including when a product transfer…
5 Aug 2024 · 3 min read
What Is Home Insurance? Buildings and Contents Explained
What home insurance is, how buildings and contents cover differ, why most lenders require buildings cover, and how to av…
2 Aug 2024 · 10 min read
Mortgage Jargon Buster
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, or looking to refinance your existing home, understanding this jargon is crucial to m…
8 Mar 2024 · 16 min read
Understanding Credit Reports and Scores: A Comprehensive Guide
A good credit score opens doors to better mortgage deals. Our plain-English guide to credit reports: what lenders see, a…
23 Nov 2023 · 5 min read
What is a Mortgage Capacity Report and why would I need one?
A Mortgage Capacity Report provides you with a bespoke report, outlining how much you could borrow under a mortgage, fol…
19 Nov 2023 · 4 min read
Zero Deposit Mortgages: How 100% Mortgages Work in the UK
Can you really buy a home with no deposit? How 100% and rent track-record mortgages work, the risks of negative equity,…
9 May 2023 · 7 min read
Mortgage Advice: Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction When it comes to purchasing a property, securing a mortgage is often the most important financial decision…
10 Mar 2023 · 5 min read
First-Time Buyer Guide: How to Get Your First Mortgage
The complete first-time buyer guide: deposits, how much you can borrow, mortgage types, government schemes and the appli…
14 May 2022 · 12 min read
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