Your Mortgage Connection

29/10/2026

Plans to end ‘gazumping’ in England
A series of reforms have been announced which will improve the homebuying process in England and Wales, including putting a stop to ‘gazumping’.

Gazumping explained
In June, Starmer’s Labour Government unveiled plans to simplify and speed up housing sales. One key element is an end to gazumping - when buyers are outbid on a property after an offer has been accepted. Gazumping can currently happen at any point up until contracts are exchanged, so a buyer could be going through the conveyancing process, with the home listed as sold subject to contract. Another party could then come in and make a higher offer at the last minute, causing the original buyer to be pushed out. This often comes at a high cost for the gazumped buyer, who has put time and money into the homebuying process. To prevent this, Starmer’s government announced that sales agreements will become legally binding at an earlier stage. If a party breaks these terms without a valid reason, they would face a financial penalty. This is already the case in Scotland, where the homebuying process is often quicker than in other parts of the UK.

Introducing sales packs
To introduce binding conditional contracts, sellers and estate agents will be required to share more information about the property upfront in the form of sales packs. This will ensure that buyers have access to all relevant information about the home’s condition, leasehold costs and chain status, allowing them to make an informed decision before placing a formal offer.

Raising standards for estate agents
According to the government’s roadmap, later this year there will be a Code of Practice for estate agents, with minimum standards and guidance to improve the information included in property listings. In 2027, there will be a consultation into mandatory qualifications for estate agents to support efficient transactions.

A smoother process
It is anticipated that these reforms will save time and money. One in three sales currently fall through, costing sellers around £400m per year in England and Wales. The average purchase takes 120 days, but the government estimated that the changes will reduce homebuying times by about four weeks and save the average first-time buyer £650.

Starmer’s government planned to implement the changes by the end of Parliament in 2029, but we await further information from Burnham’s government regarding the roadmap.

Here to help
If you would like support with any part of the homebuying process, our experts are here to help. We can source a mortgage that is right for you and your circumstances – just get in touch today.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6216g52p8wo
https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/what-is-gazumping-how-avoid-it/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/homebuying-shake-up-to-slash-delays-cut-costs-and-stop-sales-falling-through
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/buying-a-home-timeline-scotland/

27/10/2026

More first-time buyers (FTBs) over 50
Recent data shows that there are more over 50s taking their first step on the property ladder.

According to analysis of Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) data, first-time buyers aged 51 or over increased significantly between 2020 and 2024, rising by 43% over this period. Those buying their first home at the age of 41 or over increased by 10.5% since 2020. It is projected that over 50s will account for 5% of the FTB market by 2030 and over 40s will account for 16.4%. This is reflective of a housing market which has become increasingly challenging for prospective homeowners. However, it highlights that it is never too late to make your property dreams come true - get in touch with us to discuss your aspirations.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Sources:
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-15931917/Sharp-rise-time-buyers-50-new-property-Isa-scrap-upper-age-limit.html
https://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/news/number-of-first-time-buyers-over-50-increases-by-30/

26/10/2026

How are my premiums calculated?
Have you ever wondered how your home insurance premiums are calculated? We explain the reasons why the price can sometimes fluctuate.

You might have noticed that the cost of home insurance premiums can rise and fall. For example, in Q4 of 2025 the average building and contents insurance cost £379. While this is £14 lower than the previous year, it is higher than in 2022, when the average policyholder was paying £305. This changeable rate is due to several different factors which determine the cost of your premiums.

You and your home
When you take out a policy, your insurer will ask for information about you and your property to ascertain the level of cover you need. Where you live will be taken into consideration – the insurer will assess the chance of you making a claim in your area and look at the average cost of any previous claims in your neighbourhood.

The build of your property can affect the price – for example, there is a heightened fire risk if it has been constructed with timber frames, so your insurance may be more expensive. Or, if your home is made from unusual materials, this will increase the rebuild cost, so your premiums might rise accordingly.

Your insurer will ask if you have made any previous claims. If the answer is yes, they may assess that the chances of making a payout are higher, therefore your price will go up. Despite this, it is vital you answer this question truthfully – if you have withheld information, you risk invalidating a claim, which will cost you more in the long run.

External factors
It is not just your personal details that will affect the price of insurance. When you pay a premium, the money goes into a central pot that the insurer uses to make payouts to any of its customers. Therefore, if the insurer has an influx in claims, they may need to increase their premiums for new customers to be able to make all their payouts. Periods of severe weather can therefore be costly for everyone, even if your home hasn’t been directly affected by a storm.

Inflation will also influence the amount that insurers charge. Rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions have an impact on the repair costs – in turn, this will cause the average claim to rise, which will ultimately filter through to your premium price.

Seek professional advice
If your home insurance is coming up for renewal, it’s important to check your policy still meets your needs. Professional advisers can source products that aren’t available on price comparison sites. Talk to us to ensure you have the right level of cover.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Sources:
https://www.aviva.co.uk/insurance/home-products/home-insurance/knowledge-centre/your-home-price-explained/
https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2026/2/adverse-weatherpushesproperty-insurance-payouts-to-6.1-billionin-2025/

23/10/2026

Don’t invalidate your home insurance
An estimated 3.1 million home insurance policyholders in the UK are at risk of having their cover cancelled or voided. Here are some common mistakes to avoid.

Research has found that the most common pitfall is falling behind on home maintenance tasks, with just under 4% of policyholders admitting to this. It is tempting to put off routine jobs, but insurers do not usually cover damage caused by wear and tear. Keeping your home in good condition can therefore prevent problems that you can’t claim for.

Another key mistake is failing to update insurers with important information – 1.19% said they did not notify their insurer about damage to a property, even though this is a standard requirement. Meanwhile, 1.15% said they didn’t tell their insurer about building work. When a property is under construction, there is an increased risk of damage and accidents. If an incident occurred, the policyholders would be left to foot the bill without any support from their insurer.

If your policy is cancelled or declared void because important information wasn't disclosed, future insurance may become significantly more expensive.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Source: https://www.gocompare.com/home-insurance/news/refused-or-cancelled-home-insurance/

20/10/2026

Don’t go without protection
Too many UK workers are living without protection, leaving them vulnerable to life’s unexpected moments.

According to a report by LV, 43% of UK workers do not have any form of protection in place, which includes cover paid for by themselves or their employer. However, over half of workers said they would feel more financially resilient if they had insurance which protected their income or pays out in the event of a critical illness. This highlights that many people would benefit from the peace of mind that protection offers but have not yet taken action. Plus, the research found that 49% of UK households could only survive for up to three months without an income. A UK worker has, on average, three people who depend on their income, so this puts many households in a precarious financial position.

The self-employed population
People who are self-employed tend to be more vulnerable to unexpected injury or illness, as they do not have access to statutory sick pay. It is therefore concerning that only 1 in 10 of the self-employed population have income protection cover, but nearly a quarter of these respondents would like to take it out. Once again, this highlights that inaction is a key reason why people are living without vital cover. As such, 18% of self-employed respondents said they would need to carry on working if they were ill or injured to make ends meet. However, working through an illness could be even more detrimental to your health, so having the right cover is essential.

The importance of reviewing cover
You still need to be proactive once you have taken out cover. The survey found that nearly a fifth of workers have had a change in their circumstances but have not notified their insurer. 16% of people said their income had changed or they had moved jobs, while 8% said they had welcomed a child. In any of these circumstances, the policyholder would need a different level of cover, so they could be over- or under-insured.

The cost of naivety
No one is invincible; however the research suggests that many people are unprotected as they don’t think they will need to make a claim. In fact, nearly half of the working population don’t think a protection event will happen to them in the next decade. The reality is that no one knows what’s going to happen. Taking out appropriate protection policies can therefore give you peace of mind that you and your family will have a financial safety net during times of uncertainty.

A professional adviser can help you understand the level of cover you need. Contact us to talk through your options.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Source: https://www.lv.com/about-us/press/half-of-uk-workers-would-feel-more-financially-resilient-with-protection-in-place

14/10/2026

Borrowers admit to missing mortgage payments
Millions of mortgage holders in the UK could struggle to keep up with repayments if they faced an unexpected health shock.

According to a survey by MetLife UK, over a quarter of borrowers have missed a mortgage repayment due to illness or injury. The research indicates that this dilemma can quickly become overwhelming, as 7% have missed payments on multiple occasions. It seems that younger generations are particularly vulnerable to these financial shocks, as half of Gen Z mortgage holders reported missing payments because of illness or injury.

In times of need, a third (34%) of respondents said they would turn to family and a quarter (24%) would depend on their partner. Only 17% said they would rely on insurance and 10% said they would have nowhere to go for support.

Phil Jeynes, Head of Individual Protection at MetLife UK, said, “Homeowning Brits are facing a perfect storm of higher-for-longer rates, sticky inflation and economic uncertainty with ongoing geopolitical conflict and disruption to global energy markets.” He added, “Protection is there to help provide a financial safety net when life doesn’t go to plan.”

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Source: https://www.actuarialpost.co.uk/article/health-shocks-leave-1-in-4-unable-to-pay-their-mortgage-26796.htm

11/10/2026

Are your valuables covered?
Are you covered? A survey has found that 48% of UK homeowners aren’t.

A quarter (24%) of respondents did not know the value of their most prized item, suggesting that they could be inadequately insured. Many standard contents insurance policies only cover items of £1,000 to £2,000. If an item is worth more, you are likely to need to purchase specialist cover. The findings highlight the risk of relying solely on a price comparison site to purchase insurance, as a consumer may not always be asked for detailed information about each individual possession. It is therefore important to seek professional advice and check your single item limit, so you can protect what matters most.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Source: https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/property-insurance/are-comparison-site-users-getting-enough-advice-on-what-they-are-actually-insuring-580424.aspx

08/10/2026

Too loyal to your home insurer?
Recent research indicates that fewer home insurance customers are shopping around and switching providers, which means they could be missing out on more suitable deals.

According to Consumer Intelligence, the number of consumers who are shopping around for new home insurance policies has fallen by 8% since the start of 2024. Similarly, the number of people who have made a switch has gone down by 7%, suggesting that policyholders are becoming increasingly loyal to their providers.

The research found that this trend is evident across all age groups. The largest decline in shopping around was seen among consumers between 35 and 54, where activity fell by 12%. Meanwhile, the smallest drop was recorded among consumers aged 55 and above, although the decline of 5% still points to fewer people comparing policies before renewing.

Premiums on the rise

Many customers have noticed a rise in the price of their premiums, indicating that many people are sticking with the same policy even when the price increases. Among respondents who renewed their policy between March 2025 and February 2026, over half (54%) said that their renewal quote was higher than the previous year. A quarter (26%) said the price remained unchanged and only 18% saw the price decrease.

It’s not all about price

Although cost is an important consideration, choosing home insurance should never be solely about finding the cheapest premium. The right policy should provide an appropriate level of protection for your property. When survey respondents were asked why they did not shop around for an alternative policy, 13% said that they were satisfied with the current level of cover. Meanwhile, 10% said they had excellent service and a further 10% believed their insurer offered competitive pricing. These findings highlight that comprehensive cover and a reliable insurer are just as important as a policy that is good value.

The importance of advice

Even if you are happy with your current insurer, it is important to review your policy as your circumstances may change over time. If you have renovated your home, you will likely need a different level of cover to reflect the new rebuild cost.

We understand that it can be easier to stick with what’s familiar, but you could be losing out on a policy that is better suited to your needs. Switching providers does not have to be time-consuming when you’re working with a professional adviser. We’ll do the research for you, so you can make an informed decision and have peace of mind that your home is appropriately insured.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Sources:
https://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/analysis/shopping-and-switching-rates-continue-to-fall-among-home-insurance-customers/1458595.article

https://www.consumerintelligence.com/articles/why-softer-pricing-hasnt-reignited-switching

06/10/2026

Garage thefts on the rise
According to the Association of British Insurers, home insurers paid out a record amount for theft-related claims in the first quarter of 2026.

The average sum paid out for a theft claim at the start of the year was £4,350, which is 14% higher than last year’s average. Meanwhile, separate data from the police force shows that garage thefts increased by 13% across Britain between 2022 and 2025. Two in five of these break-ins were preventable, as the door was left open at the time of the theft.

It’s easy to get complacent and think it won’t happen to you, but these statistics highlight the importance of making sure your home is secure. Take the time to lock up your garage and outbuildings as they can be easy targets.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Sources:
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-15801151/Home-insurance-payouts-theft-hit-record-high-start-2026-spike-garage-break-ins-revealed.html

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-15758603/Home-garage-thefts-rising-five-steps-turn-garage-fortress.html

02/10/2026

The cost of delaying protection
It can be tempting to delay taking out life insurance or other protection cover, particularly if you are young and healthy and do not feel an immediate need for cover.

Some people assume that putting off taking out a policy means saving money because they will pay premiums for fewer years. However, prolonging the decision could actually make life insurance more expensive and reduce the options available to you in the future.

The cost of delaying

Every life insurance policy is different, depending on the policyholder’s specific circumstances. Your premiums will be calculated based on how much cover you need, your age and general health. As you get older, premiums tend to become more expensive to reflect the increased risk of mortality.

You might think that waiting six months won’t make much of a difference to the cost of your policy, but what if you had a health complication within that time? Even a minor change to your health can cause insurers to increase premiums, impose exclusions or reduce the level of cover. Getting a policy sooner rather than later can help secure lower premiums and provide long-term certainty for both you and your family.

Consider your wider financial plan

Life insurance can play an important role within a financial plan, particularly when it comes to preserving wealth for future generations. From April 2027, unused pension funds will be treated as part of a person’s estate, prompting many people to review their existing arrangements. Because of this, some families are writing life insurance in trust to ensure that beneficiaries are not taxed on the money they receive from their insurance policy. If your family will rely on a life insurance payout to support them after your death, it is particularly important to review your cover now.

Thinking of leaving the UK?

Life insurance is also worth considering if there is a chance that you may live abroad in the future. Whether you are planning to retire overseas or relocate for work, your residency status can affect your cover. Some policies only insure permanent UK residents, while others may be happy to keep existing cover in place. Taking out a policy well in advance of moving can increase your chances of being eligible for UK protection. It’s therefore advisable to get cover as soon as possible and familiarise yourself with the policy terms.

Contact us

While delaying a decision about life insurance may seem harmless, it can significantly impact the cost and level of cover you receive. We can help you understand how protection fits into your financial plan. Get in touch for advice.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Source:
https://www.ftadviser.com/content/47c79204-94cc-4a88-b7a3-de16d85d7846

In estate planning, timing can often be treated as a secondary consideration. The focus tends to sit on structure, tax efficiency, and long-term intent. Yet in practice, one of the most material variables when it comes to considering protection as part of the overall planning is neither legal nor te...