Your mortgage, explained simply.
Clear, jargon-free guides to buying, remortgaging and protecting your home, plus free calculators and a reminder before your fixed rate ends.
- Plain-English guides
- Free calculators
- Free fixed-rate reminder
- Latest mortgage news
- Official sources checked
- Ask us a question
- Made for UK homeowners
- No hard selling
Where are you on your mortgage journey?
Pick the one that fits and we'll point you to the right guides.
I'm buying my first home
Deposits, affordability and every step from saving to getting the keys.
Buying a Home →My fixed rate is ending
When to remortgage, product transfers and early repayment charges.
Managing Your Mortgage →I want to learn the basics
How mortgages work, fixed vs tracker, LTV and the jargon explained.
Mortgage Basics →I want to protect my family
Life cover, critical illness and income protection in plain English.
Protection & Insurance →Know when your fixed rate ends.
When a fixed deal ends, most mortgages move to the lender's standard variable rate, which can be noticeably higher. We'll remind you in good time to look at your options.
Popular mortgage guides
First-Time Buyer Mortgage Guide: Everything You Need to Know
A plain-English, step-by-step guide for first-time buyers: deposits, how much you could borrow, the schemes that may help and what happens from…
When and Why Should I Remortgage?
A plain-English guide to when to remortgage, the most common reasons people switch, and when it may not be worth it.
Fixed, Variable, and Tracker Mortgages Explained
A plain-English guide to fixed, variable and tracker mortgages: how each works, the 5 key differences, and what happens when Bank Rate…
The news that affects your mortgage
Short, plain-English updates, and what they mean for you.
Run the numbers in seconds
No sign-up needed. See what you could pay before you speak to anyone.
Mortgage Repayment Calculator
Work out your monthly payment for any loan amount, rate and term.
Open calculator →New Monthly Payment Calculator
See how your payment could change when your current deal ends.
Check my new payment →Mortgage Overpayment Calculator
See how much interest and time you could save by paying a little extra each month or as a lump sum.
Try the overpayment calculator →Ask Mortgage Owl
Stuck on a guide or a mortgage term? Send us your question and we'll reply in plain English.
Ask a question →New: Loan-to-value (LTV) calculator. Coming soon: how much could I borrow and Stamp Duty.
Common questions
Is Mortgage Owl free to use?
Yes. All guides, calculators and the fixed-rate reminder are free.
Is this financial advice?
No. Mortgage Owl provides general educational information only. For a recommendation based on your circumstances, speak to an FCA-authorised mortgage adviser.
How does the fixed-rate reminder work?
You tell us when your deal ends and we email you 6 months, 3 months and 1 month beforehand, so you have time to compare options.
How much can I borrow for a mortgage?
It depends on the lender and your circumstances. Many lenders lend up to around 4 to 4.5 times your income, and some may go higher in certain cases. Lenders look at your income, outgoings, credit history and deposit to check what you can afford. More on MoneyHelper.
How much deposit do I need to buy a house?
You usually need at least 5% of the property price. A bigger deposit, such as 10%, 15% or more, normally gives you access to lower interest rates and more lenders.
When should I start looking for a new mortgage deal?
Around six months before your current deal ends is a sensible time to start. Many lenders let you secure a new rate up to six months in advance, which can help you avoid moving onto your lender's standard variable rate.
Hi, I'm Steve. After 15 years in the police and 15 in the merchant navy, I'm training as a mortgage adviser. Every guide is written in plain English and checked against official sources such as GOV.UK, the Bank of England and MoneyHelper.
