Hallmark Mortgages Limited

15/04/2026

Judith and Sarah have asked me to pass on their deepest gratitude for the lovely messages of support for their loss.

Clive's funeral will be held on Wednesday 29th April at 12pm- St George’s church 1 Church Road, Woodsetts, S81 8RL Followed by burial at same church yard.

The wake is to be held across the road from the church, at the Butchers Arms ( S81 8QA)

Family flowers only- donations please to give to the British heart foundation and the British Red Cross .

03/04/2026

It's with a great personal sadness that I am posting the loss of our very own, Clive Creasey. Who passed away over night in DRI.

We all send our love and sympathy to Judith his wife, Sarah and Christopher and the grandchildren.

19/03/2026

The Bank of England has left its base interest rate at 3.75%, in line with market expectations at today’s monetary policy meeting.

Voting was unanimous.

It has been some of the hardest days for many a year to be looking for a mortgage and to be a mortgage broker. Lenders have pulled rates with very short notice and even if they continue to offer new schemes, the rates have increased and not just once but many times. Generally if the lender is funding their mortgages through their savings account deposits, they have just increased rates but the ones who raise funds on the money markets have been hit by the SWAP rates volatility. Swap rates are the rate at which the banks get their money. These lenders have tended to take a step back to see where things are going, especially for 5 year or longer fixed rates, this is because their liability could be huge.

Having said that we have still had successes and the point I can't stress enough is how important having your document pack together is to be able to get the application submitted in the windows when they are open.

13/01/2026

Landlords are being warned as local councils are cracking down on compliance.

Local authority enforcement – what has changed?

Councils have been given more powers and encouragement to investigate landlord compliance.

Under the new rules, they’ll be able to:

request information from anyone involved in a tenancy (such as a landlord or letting agent) – this could include documents such as tenancy agreements or licensing certificates

set formal deadlines for information requests

inspect premises where records are held

seize devices holding tenancy records or make copies of relevant documents

Authorities will be able to look back a full 12 months, which means they’ll be able to investigate 2025 compliance during 2026.

What documents can councils ask for as part of a compliance investigation?

From a couple of weeks ago, 27 December 2025, councils investigating compliance can now ask landlords (or those associated with a tenancy) for a range of documents. These could include:

tenancy documents, such as tenancy agreements or deposit protection certificates

financial records, such as rent payment records or arrears information

Safety documents, such as gas safety certificates or Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

third-party documents, such as contractor invoices or inventory reports

What are the enforcement penalties for non-compliance?

Landlords could be hit with civil penalties of up to £7,000 for a standard breach of the rules or first offence.

For a serious or repeat offence, the fine could be up to £40,000.

Are you compliant?

09/01/2026

‘Divorce Day’ highlights need for early mortgage advice

Couples considering divorce or separation should seek financial advice early in the process to explore options, brokers say.
Reports suggest that many family lawyers and solicitors see a rise in divorce enquiries in the first week of January, with some terming the 5 January ‘Divorce Day’.

Daniel Bell, director and mortgage adviser at Bell Financial Solutions, said from a mortgage perspective, his firm did see an increase in mortgage-related enquiries, but these were rarely from people who were already divorced.

He explained: “Most come earlier in the process, often at the point where separation is being discussed or has just occurred. Many are seeking clarity rather than action, wanting to understand what is realistically possible before legal decisions are made.”

Bell said common issues were around affordability, timing and a “significant knowledge gap” about options available.

“When a household income splits into two, the maths changes immediately. One party may want to remain in the family home, often for stability or childcare reasons, but finds that refinancing alone is not straightforward. Lenders assess income, outgoings and sustainability on an individual basis, and assumptions that were workable jointly often no longer apply”.

Divorce and mortgage processes do not run neatly in parallel, as consent orders, settlements and court timelines can move more slowly than mortgage offers, and this mismatch can create pressure if advice is taken too late.

“I regularly see cases where people commit to legal positions without understanding how lenders will interpret the outcome,” he said.

Bell added that there can be a knowledge gap, as some clients assume that selling is inevitable or transferring a mortgage into one name is “simply an administrative exercise”.

“In reality, outcomes depend on income structure, credit profile, future maintenance arrangements and how assets are divided. None of these can be viewed in isolation”.

Courts increasingly expect financial decisions to be grounded in evidence, not assumptions. A clear mortgage capacity assessment can prevent unrealistic expectations forming on either side and often helps negotiations progress more constructively.

“For those facing separation, my advice is simple. Speak to a mortgage professional early, even if you are not ready to make changes. Understanding borrowing capacity, lender attitudes and realistic scenarios provides a factual framework for decisions that are otherwise emotionally charged. It does not force action, but it does prevent surprises later.

“Divorce is rarely just a legal process. Housing stability, long-term affordability and financial independence all sit at its core. Addressing the mortgage implications early is not about rushing decisions; it is about making sure they are grounded in reality,” he said.

Ben Glassman, financial planning partner and head of family and divorce, agreed that getting independent legal and financial advice early in the process was key, even if the parties are on good terms.

He said: “Independent financial assessments can benefit both the divorcing parties, achieve clarity around the real value of the couple’s matrimonial estate, and shape the divorce settlement to achieve an optimal outcome for the long term.”

Glassman said property was “usually the biggest asset”, and if one partner wants to stay in the family home, they will often have to forgo the majority of the other assets, such as savings and pensions.

“One spouse often wants to hang on to the family home when getting divorced, especially where children are involved. But keeping the home doesn’t always make financial sense when taken into context with other assets. A property one lives in doesn’t produce an income and parts of it can’t be sold to meet spending.

“At the same time, higher mortgage rates have narrowed the options for those who need to borrow to buy a new home, as many divorcees do. Elevated mortgage rates can make finding a solution to the property conundrum for some divorcing couples a lot trickier”.

Glassman said staying in the family home has traditionally been the “low-cost option, as it will avoid some legal, mortgage and property transaction fees”, but the person who stays will have to either sacrifice substantial other assets or find the money to buy the other’s share of equity.

He noted that the proposed council tax surcharge in the most recent Budget could also increase the cost of one person staying in a high-value home substantially from 2028.

“If selling the home is deemed the best option, this could mean having to pay an early repayment charge if the mortgage was fixed. However, it is often feasible for one party to port an existing fixed mortgage, and some lenders even allow couples to split and port a fixed rate loan.

“With rates where they are, a single buyer might find they can afford less than they’d hoped, without moving to a cheaper area – and this will be especially the case for older borrowers, who might find lenders less willing to allow monthly costs to be kept down by extending the loan term beyond 20 or 25 years, or into retirement, when income is likely to be lower”.

Later life divorces impact retirement income and affordability without proper advice.

Recent Legal & General (L&G) research found that around 17% of all divorces occurred in later life, which it defined as over the age of 50.

Those divorcing in later life found that their incomes fell by £7,753 in the year following their divorce.

There are positive steps people can take to protect their financial future. Pensions are often one of the most valuable assets a couple has and should be considered in the same way as the family home during a separation. Only 8% of people who divorced after 50 sought advice on this, yet expert guidance can help ensure decisions are balanced and that both partners understand the long-term implications.

Adrian Moloney, group intermediary director at OSB Group, said the figures also showed that only 8% consult a financial adviser before making decisions like waiving rights to their partner’s pension.

“This can significantly reduce borrowing power and limit housing options for at least one party. That makes access to flexible lending and good broker advice critical.

“As affordability slowly improves and rates stabilise, lenders and brokers have an important role to play in helping people navigate separation without losing access to secure housing, by offering solutions that reflect real-world complexity, not just headline rates”.

Don't put your head in the sand, we have had over twenty years experiance of completing Borrowing Capacity Assessments for mediators, family lawyers and the courts. We are here to confidentially take you through your options.

08/01/2026

The Exeter enhances NHS cash benefit for greater member flexibility

The Exeter has enhanced its NHS cash benefit, increasing payments and simplifying how members can claim when receiving NHS treatment.
The UK health and life insurer said the changes are designed to strengthen financial support for members who rely on NHS care, while making the benefit clearer and easier to use across different treatment pathways.

The enhancements apply to all live plans and most legacy plans, subject to some product-specific limits. Members will now receive higher payments for NHS in-patient stays, alongside the introduction of a new day-patient benefit for eligible NHS day-case treatments.

The NHS in-patient cash benefit has increased from £150 to £250 per night, while a new £150 per day benefit has been introduced for eligible NHS day-patient treatments. The excess deduction has also been removed, ensuring members receive the full benefit payable.

The annual cap for NHS cash benefits varies by product, with a maximum of £10,000. Claims made under the benefit do not affect a member’s no claims discount.

There is a single annual cap of up to £10,000 across NHS cash benefits, and for any single hospital visit members can claim either the in-patient or day-patient benefit at one time, but not both. The insurer said this combined cap provides greater flexibility, allowing members to access support in line with their actual treatment plan rather than being constrained by separate sub-limits.

28/10/2025

If you rent out a property or are planning to, then you need to understand the new Renter’s Rights Bill, which attained royal accent yesterday. We are expecting these changes will begin to impact landlords straight away and the underwriting of buy to let mortgages by the end of this year.

What are the main changes in the Renters’ Rights Bill?

Eviction changes
Section 21 no-fault evictions have been abolished.
Now, landlords can only evict tenants under strict grounds laid out under Section 8, which include anti-social behaviour, rent arrears or if they intend to sell or move back into the property. If they do plan to sell up or move back in, they must give tenants four months’ notice, so they have enough time to find a new home.
Where they are unable to sell, they must wait 12 months before they’re permitted to re-let the property.
Landlords under Ground 4a can reclaim house in multiple occupation (HMO) properties occupied by full-time students to prepare for the next cohort of undergraduates and postgraduates by giving four months’ notice.

Periodic tenancies
Periodic tenancies, or rolling contracts that don’t have an end date, will replace fixed-term tenancies. Existing assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) will automatically convert to rolling contracts without the need to sign new documents. If there is no written agreement in place, landlords must provide one.
All landlords must issue information to tenants about the new rules within one month of them starting.
This is to give renters the freedom to move home when they want; for example, if they need to move for work or to stop them getting trapped in poor-quality accommodation.
Tenants can give two months’ notice to leave the property at any time but benefit from a 12-month period of protection from the start of their tenancy, which stops their landlord from evicting them to move back in or sell during this time.
Landlords can only end a tenancy if they plan to sell or move back in, or in cases of rent arrears.

Setting and collecting rent
Landlords can only up their rents once per year, and then this can only be to the market rate.
Tenants have the right to challenge this at the first-year tribunal if they think the increase is excessive.
Furthermore, large amounts of rent cannot be charged upfront before the tenancy begins – a practice often used when letting properties to international students or UK tenants with no credit history or a poor credit background.
Bidding wars will be banished to history now that it’s become illegal for landlords to accept offers higher than the rent advertised, which must be published on the listing.

Tenants in arrears
Landlords must wait longer before they can move to evict a tenant in arrears.
A tenant must have missed three months’ payments before they can be evicted – up from two before the law was changed. Additionally, the notice period that must be issued has increased from two to four weeks.

Raising standards
Private sector landlords are now subject to the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law, like those in the social housing sector, to make sure tenants’ homes are safe, good quality and good value.
Landlords will be required to register themselves and their properties on a new digital database to legally let out their home and demonstrate they are compliant. It’s likely that documents like gas safety certificates will need to be uploaded, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Failing to register will exempt them from using certain grounds of possession.
Local authorities will be given greater powers to crack down on rogue landlords who fail to comply with the new reforms. Civil penalties ranging from £7,000 up to £40,000 for a serious breach or repeated non-compliance could be slapped on those flouting rules. Some 15 new offences have been introduced that will see landlords issued civil penalties.
Rent repayment orders will be given more strength, with six new offences introduced that could trigger this action.
Tenants will be able to claim back up to two years of rent repayments for breaches made by their landlord.

Ombudsman to oversee fairness
Tenants will now be able to complain to a dedicated private sector landlord ombudsman for free who will provide a binding resolution on disputes.

Stamping out discrimination
The bill aims to end discrimination against tenants on benefits by making it illegal to enforce policies such as ‘no DSS permitted’ or ‘professionals only’ on rental adverts. Benefits can be considered when assessing a tenant’s affordability.
Landlords can no longer refuse tenants on the grounds they have children. However, landlords will still have the final say on who they let their property to.
Tenants will also have the right to request a pet, but landlords can insist that pet insurance is taken out to cover any damage that the pet may cause to their property.
However, the wording around the issue of pets is vague, with the bill stating that landlords cannot “unreasonably refuse” and that requests must be considered “fairly”.

What can we expect next?
The government plans to publish a timetable of when events will take place as soon as possible.
Some parts of the act require secondary legislation before they are implemented; these include the introduction of a new landlord database and private rental sector ombudsman.
The proposed date for the full introduction of the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector is currently 2036, but the removal of the most dangerous hazards could come sooner.
Meanwhile, some of the new enforcement powers given to local authorities will take effect two months from now.

We can help you not just with the mortgages but the insurances for both life and property, building surveys, the supplying of utility services, and savings and investments too, if selling up and looking for somewhere else to place your monies.

13/06/2025

Well its 37 years today I started in financial services (13/06/1988) and I still get asked "what do you know about mortgages". Good job we never stop learning and when things go wrong the experiance is there to call on, not panic or at least don't show it. Here was what was also happening.

28/04/2025

It has been a while since I last sent a newsletter out and this contains important changes that could affect you,

Firstly, I am asked most days what do you think is happening with the interest rates, well over the Easter weekend the 2-years fixed rate schemes have fallen below the 5-year fixed rate schemes, that’s the first time since the infamous Liz Truss budget of September 2022. The signs would appear to be starting to look if they are going down but I’m a mortgage broker, don’t have a crystal ball and don’t get me started about what is going on around the World. If you want to know more let’s talk match the right scheme to your own situation.

Now the important points

1) If we have arranged home insurance or let property insurance through The Source and your Schedule of Insurance shows Agents no 60088 or 86209, can you please call me or send an email because we need to arrange new documents to be able to service and update your policies moving forward.
2) Three major insurers have pulled out of the UK home insurance market and if you have been insured by these, Source and Paymentshield will let you know on your renewal letter, but we are seeing very large increase with the renewal premiums being quoted, when they switch you to a replacement insurers cover. Again, please call or email so we can arrange alternative cover and in most cases at much lower cost.
3) Unemployment cover is available again, for the first time since the Covid pandemic. If this is of interest call or email.
4) Do you have medical or would you like medical insurance cover, either private or business cover, well we have teamed up with Vitality who will call you direct to discuss exactly what you require and are guaranteeing to better your current premium .
5) We now have access to MetLife” Everyday Protect” for everyday events that do happen or if you have certain medical issues that have stopped you before getting mortgage related insurances.
6) Do you need a Level 2 (Homebuyer) report or structural survey? We have teamed up with Countrywide Surveyors (RICS) and we can offer them direct to you even if we are not doing your mortgage or you don't have a mortgage (unencumbered).

Call now to connect with business.

31/12/2024

We are out getting fit for 2025, Happy New Year and we look forward to speaking with you soon.