Fewer mortgage admin fees and more help for first-time buyers

14 April 2026

Great news – we’ve removed a bunch of mortgage admin fees

Being member‑owned helps us to put you first. And for us, this isn’t just a slogan – it’s the whole point of what we do. Part of this is looking for ways to give you a better experience when it comes to buying or selling your home.

And that’s exactly why we’ve removed admin fees from 16 of our mortgage processes.

For you, it means fewer fees to pay when you take out a mortgage with us or when you need to make certain changes later on.

What this means for you

Buying or moving home is pricey enough. By removing these admin fees, it could keep more money in your pocket when you:

• Apply for a mortgage.
• Make simple changes later.

It could help whether you’re a first-time buyer or already have a mortgage. And this is only part of how we’re working to give you better value.

More value for mortgage members

One of the big changes we’ve made is to scrap our unpaid direct debit fee.

Why? Because we’re making things fairer for our members.

Buying a home or remortgaging is hectic enough. Dates blur, things get missed, and life happens.

So now, if you miss a payment, we’ll help you fix it – no financial penalty, no added stress.

Helping you move sooner, not “one day”

Removing most of our mortgage fees is part of our overall purpose of helping more people have a place to call home. We know how tough the journey can be – especially if you’re a first-time buyer.

It can feel like a marathon. Deposit challenges. Upfront costs. Endless hurdles. We get it.

That’s why we’re always looking to develop new, innovative mortgage options – to help get more first-time buyers moving sooner rather than later.

Delayed Start Mortgages

Buying a home comes with a long list of upfront costs. So we thought: what if monthly mortgage repayments didn’t start straight away?

With Delayed Start, you can delay your first repayments for 1, 2 or 3 months (depending on the product you pick). That means more breathing room when every penny counts.

It’s designed for first-time buyers who:

• Are ready to buy.
• Can afford monthly repayments.
• But might need help managing those big starting expenses.

Rent overlap? Furniture? Moving costs? This helps you cover the early chaos without financial headaches.

Track Record Mortgage

If you’ve rented for at least 12 months in a row (within the last 18 months) and paid on time, that rental history could help you buy.

With Track Record you could:

• Buy with less than 5% deposit.
• Or even no deposit at all.
• Use your rent as proof you could afford mortgage repayments.
• Finally break out of the “I can afford rent but not to save a deposit” trap.

If saving a lump sum is the thing holding you back, this might be your breakthrough.

You could benefit from Track Record if:

• You're aged 21 or over
• You haven’t owned a property in the last three years
• You've paid all of your rent on time for 12 months in a row, over the last 18 months.

Even better, now you can combine the two

That’s right: you can now get a mortgage with:

• No deposit needed (Track Record), and
• A track record mortgage with a delayed start feature for up to 3 months (1, 2 or 3 months – depending on the product chosen) after completion. Interest will accrue from day one.

Put together, they tackle two of the biggest barriers for first-time buyers: the deposit squeeze and the upfront‑cost crush.

We’ve also added the Delayed Start feature to our Shared Ownership mortgages as well. Rent payments to the housing association or registered landlord are still due from the start of the term.

Want to find out more?

Check out our mortgage range or speak to a member of the team today on 0345 607 9825.

Already a mortgage member? You’re not forgotten.

Your mortgage should work on your terms.

Want to pay off your mortgage sooner? Making small overpayments could reduce what you owe and save on interest.

Struggling with payments? Reach out early. We’ll listen, not judge, and help you find a solution that works for you.

Want to raise some extra funds? Borrowing more money on your mortgage could be a good choice.

Check your options and stay in control of your mortgage.

We’re always listening – and always improving

The changes we make aren’t random. They come from listening to members like you and seeing how people are using our mortgages in the real world.

Removing admin fees. Giving you more upfront flexibility. Opening new doors for renters. It’s all part of shaping our mortgages around your life.