Mortgage Chain

Mortgage Chain: mortgage advice for first-time buyers in the UK

Mortgage Chain is a UK mortgage brokerage that presents itself as specialising in first-time buyers. It operates under the trading name of Mortgage Ready Limited, an entity authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with registration number 911773. Its approach is built around a pre-application preparation process, with the stated aim that clients reach the application stage with their documentation and profile reviewed.

Mortgage services for first-time buyers

The firm offers a brokerage service for first-time buyer mortgages, including traditional mortgages, shared ownership and help to buy. It serves diverse employment profiles: employed, self-employed, limited companies and contractors. It also covers mortgages for first-time buyers looking to remortgage for the first time, as well as traditional remortgage services for homeowners, including product transfers and raising finance via a secured loan.

The product range includes mortgages with a 95% loan-to-value (LTV) and a 5% deposit, mortgages for re-sale homes (not new build), new build mortgages, shared ownership mortgages, mortgages for people with adverse credit history and mortgages for non-UK residents. It also considers non-standard construction properties.

Preparation and support

The company emphasises a pre-application preparation approach. To this end, it offers a virtual online mentorship programme, First-Time Buyer Expert, aimed at preparing buyers for mortgage success. It also has a free online course, Bad Credit File Expert - Lite, aimed at those with adverse credit history who need to understand their options and the required deposit. In addition, it offers an onboarding service for those who have already had an appointment or wish to skip the initial meeting: document review and mortgage and budget recommendation, with a stated cost of £199 billed on-screen.

Complementary services

Alongside mortgage brokerage, Mortgage Chain offers additional services for buyers: solicitor instruction for conveyancing, survey reports (homebuyer reports and full structural surveys), mortgage protection through life insurance and home insurance (buildings and contents). The firm states it has links with over 100 mortgage lenders, including high street lenders, and claims that all types of credit scores are considered.

Client profile

The company describes two types of clients: first-time buyers who want to get it right the first time with expert guidance, and high-income professionals who expect strategy, precision and performance rather than generic advice. Its commercial message is built on the idea of anticipating the market rather than reacting to it.

Informative content and YouTube presence

Complaints procedure

The firm states that complaints must be sent in writing to an email address with the subject "COMPLAINT - YOUR FULL NAME". It offers a summary of its internal complaints handling procedures upon request and notes that, if the complaint is not resolved, the client can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service. The website includes the warning that, as the mortgage is secured against the property, it could be repossessed if payments are not met.