Merit Mortgages

Merit Mortgages, an independent brokerage in Basingstoke

Merit Mortgages Ltd. operates as a small, independent mortgage and protection brokerage based in Basingstoke. Its founder and managing director, Daniel Tillson, presents the firm as an alternative to advisers who handle only straightforward cases, and the practice is built around comparing deals from more than 90 lenders and a range of insurance providers. The company states that its advisers have assisted clients since July 2007.

The brokerage is an appointed representative of The Right Mortgage Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It is registered in England and Wales under company number 14134664, with its registered address at 34 Compton Way, Basingstoke, RG27 0SQ. The firm notes that the information on its site falls under the UK regulatory regime and is aimed at consumers based in the UK.

Mortgage advice across the whole buying journey

The service range covers the main stages of property finance. The firm lists first-time buyer mortgages, moving house, remortgaging, buy-to-let mortgages, commercial mortgages and equity release, alongside life insurance and protection products. Home insurance is handled differently: Merit Mortgages states it is not authorised to advise on home insurance and refers clients to an authorised specialist partner.

Its stated working method follows three steps. The first is an affordability review covering costs, the mortgage process and next steps. The second is research across the mortgage market to match a lender and product to the client's circumstances. The third is support through the application, from the first day until completion and afterwards.

Specialist qualifications and complex cases

According to the firm, its advisers hold the Certificate in Regulated Equity Release (CeRER) and the Certified Practitioner in Specialist Property Finance (CPSP). These qualifications are presented as the basis for advising on cases that many brokers decline, including specialist property transactions, commercial lending, equity release and retirement interest-only mortgages. Daniel Tillson is described as having more than 20 years of experience in the sector.

The advisory team

Beyond the founder, the team includes Laura Tomkins as independent mortgage advisor and Louise Smart as protection specialist, the latter covering life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection and family protection plans. Abigail Pateman, Nadine Hawkins and Emily McCabe work as client account managers. The firm describes itself as small and independent, and its advisers work jointly on mortgage and protection cases.

Fees and regulatory notices

The site states that a fee may apply for mortgage advice, estimated at £349, with the exact amount depending on the complexity of the case and the work involved. For equity release or retirement interest-only cases, the stated fee is £995. The firm also reproduces standard warnings: a home may be repossessed if repayments on a mortgage or other secured debt are not maintained, and some buy-to-let and commercial mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. For lifetime mortgages, clients are directed to request a personalised illustration to understand the features and risks.

Client feedback and published content

The website displays reviews attributed to Google and Facebook, dated between July 2025 and May 2026 at the time of writing this profile. They describe support during a rate rise, guidance for a single mother buying her first home, and explanations of mortgage options compared with a high-street bank. The firm also publishes articles on mortgage costs, protection and periodic reviews of existing deals.