Residential mortgages
Specialisms include: self-employed, multiple income sources, complex bonus/commission structures, leasehold property and family businesses.
Boutique mortgage & protection advice · UK
Quick and seamless advice for complex situations
Our client reviews show a common trend: we are excellent communicators. So you don't just get approved, you understand how.
Live life to the fullest.
You don't fit a standard form
That has never been the problem.
Standard applications—salaried roles, straightforward income and clean credit are rarely found in modern living.
If you run your own business, have multiple income sources, credit problems or if the property is non-standard, you need dynamic lending criteria available to suit you.
We started Life & Mortgages to bridge this gap. Drawing from our background in underwriting and financial advice, we evaluate your position holistically, match you with the ideal lender and insurance provider, meticulously packaging your case in a way they want to receive it.
The whole picture, under one roof
What we do
Mortgages, protection, specialist finance and equity release. complete unrestricted access to the entire market accross all major property finance classes.
Protection & insurance
Built to cover the costs of a significant life event, such as injury, illness or death. Comprehensive life cover, critical illness, income protection and health insurance. Arranged either individually or through your business.
Specialist finance
Solutions include: specialist buy-to-let, bridging, commercial and development. Sourced from prviate lenders, Specialist banks and non-bank specialist lenders.
Equity release
Releasing value from a home in later life, handled with care and explained plainly. Members of the Equity Release Council.
Why we're different
We love to give advice
There are two well-worn scripts in this category: low-cost, impersonal call centres, and competent local brokers impossible to reach. We're the third option. With half a century of industry experience between us, we know the language of our markets and are keen on educating those looking to make an informed decision.
We know how lenders think
Provenance you can't manufacture
Founded by an insurance underwriter and a financial adviser, We have a unique ability to assess risk and identify issues before we package a case, not during.
Approved AND understood
You'll understand the recommendation
The signature outcome. Plain-English explanation at every step, so you come out in command instead of in the dark
One adviser, start to finish
Your case never changes hands
The person you first speak to is the decision-maker on your case, right through to completion. No re-explaining, no hand-offs, no being passed around whoever picks up.
On your side, not on the clock
We won't oversell you
Honest, reachable and selective. We only put you in front of a lender when you're a genuine fit, and we're flexible enough to move when your case needs it.
What we believe
We face the difficult details head-on. We uncover the unsaid. Total transparency, from the start.
How it works
Three steps, one adviser.
Tell us where you're stuck
Tell us a little about your situation, including anything of a concern. No pressure, no obligation.
We find the right fit
We shortlist the lenders most likely to say yes and present your case the way they need to see it, then arrange the protection that completes the picture.
We see it through
The same adviser handles it to completion. You come out sorted, and you genuinely understand what happened and why.
Meet your adviser
Lewis Charles Payne CeMAP CeRER
Managing Director & Adviser
I built a career out of being a great communicator. Ethics and credibility within our communication is an ethos felt throughout our business.
With experience rooted in sales and specialist insurance, a less common route for mortgage advisers who usually start in high-street banks.This gives us a unique ability to think dynamically, communicate firmly, and maintain long-term relationships with clients who have advanced requirements.
In their words
The proof is in the people we've helped.
A few of the things clients have said on Google, including the complicated cases that started with a “no” somewhere else.
My mortgage application was challenging and required multiple attempts, but Lewis never gave up. Professional, knowledgeable, and always kept me updated throughout.
Tunder AmedzadWe had a complicated brief and Lewis explained it clearly and helped us understand it. He could not have been more helpful in the remortgage process.
Dom BumpsteadLewis went above and beyond, providing exceptional service in handling our complex case. We're delighted with his support and recommend him highly.
Neda NaminIncredibly patient, knowledgeable and thorough, running through every option. He found us the best deal and made the whole process feel clear and stress-free.
Lou SwaineAn incredible support throughout my journey. As a first-time buyer it felt overwhelming, especially as my purchase wasn't the most straightforward. He got us there.
Kim WatsonSensitive, discreet and reliable, scouring the market for the best possible deal. He perfectly balances judgement-free advice with real expertise.
Amy MartinRated 5.0 from 43 reviews on Google. Read all reviews →
FAQ
The questions we're asked most.
Do you charge fees?
Yes, we charge a fixed fee which is non-refundable. This fee is charged only upon formal mortgage application, meaning you pay no fees until you are satisfied with the decision in principle and choose to proceed with the application. We do not charge fees for protection advice.
Why should I work with an adviser instead of going directly to my bank?
Bank agents cannot offer advice like an independent adviser can, they can only show you the bank's own products and cannot compare them to products offered by other banks. Independent brokers access the entire market, including specialist lenders that do not have a high-street presence. They provide a full cost analysis and handle all the legwork—assessing your true affordability, managing the paperwork and chasing solicitors—which prevents missing the opportunity to achieve the best deal, reduces application time, and increases the chances of a successful mortgage offer.
I have Life Insurance with work, do I still need to get Life Insurance for my Mortgage?
Mortgage lenders encourage (but do not oblige) you to obtain life insurance covering the specific amount borrowed for the specific term of the loan. Death in service cover from your employer typically covers you for a multiple of your salary, for an undefined period, usually until you leave that employer. Naturally, this creates a 'square peg in a round hole' situation where your cover might not be enough, or long enough to financially protect the mortgage debt fully. If you leave your employer, you lose the cover, making obtaining insurance yourself potentially more expensive, or impossible if your medical situation changes in the future.
My fixed rate is ending soon—when should I start looking for a new deal?
You should start looking around 6 months before your current product expires. We contact our existing customers at least 12 months before to allow for the longest potential timeline if we are dealing with a complex requirement. The reason you start as early as you can is so you can avoid the lender's Standard Variable Rate where possible, as this can mean paying more for your current mortgage than necessary.
Get in touch
Stop wondering if it can be done. Find out.
Tell us where you're stuck. One adviser will look after your case from this first conversation right through to completion. No pressure, no obligation.
Don't just get approved. Understand how.
Prefer to talk? Call 020 7062 4477 or email [email protected]