How much does a mortgage broker cost in the UK?

A mortgage broker in the UK may cost nothing at all or around £300 to £500, depending on the broker and the deal. Some brokers are fee-free because they earn commission from the lender, while others charge a fixed fee or a percentage of the mortgage. Current UK consumer guides say broker fees are commonly £0 to £500, though some can charge up to 1% of the loan amount.

For many buyers, a sensible planning figure is £0 to £500, with anything much above that worth questioning carefully. MoneySavingExpert says reputable brokers should not charge more than around 1% of the mortgage value, and noted a typical broker fee of around £500 in 2024.

Typical mortgage broker cost in the UK

Fee-free broker: £0
Typical broker fee: around £300–£500
Upper end some brokers may charge: up to 1% of the loan amount
Simple planning range: £0–£500 for many mainstream cases

Cost breakdown

A mortgage broker may be paid in one of three main ways:

Fee-free model — the broker is paid commission by the lender, so you pay nothing directly.
Flat fee model — you pay a fixed fee, often a few hundred pounds.
Percentage fee model — some brokers charge a percentage of the mortgage amount, sometimes up to 1%.

Mortgage buying costs around the broker fee can also include:

mortgage arrangement fee
valuation fee
conveyancing fee
booking fee or account fee, depending on the lender. Compare the Market currently gives examples such as £1,000–£2,000 for arrangement fees and £0–£1,500 for valuation fees, which are separate from any broker fee.

What affects the price?

Several things can push the broker cost up or down:

Broker business model — some are fee-free, others charge directly.
Complexity of the case — unusual income, self-employment, adverse credit, or buy-to-let can sometimes make advice more specialist. This is an inference from how specialist mortgage broking is structured.
How the fee is charged — flat fees are easier to predict than percentage-based fees.
When the fee is due — upfront fees are riskier if the purchase falls through. MoneySavingExpert warns to be careful about big fees paid in advance.

What’s usually included?

A mortgage broker’s service may include:

assessing what you can borrow
recommending a suitable mortgage
comparing lenders and deals
helping with the application
liaising with the lender during the process. This is consistent with standard broker service descriptions in major UK consumer guides.

It does not usually include:

mortgage arrangement fees
valuation fees
conveyancing fees
stamp duty
survey fees

Those are separate property-buying costs.

Do you have to pay a mortgage broker?

No. Some brokers are completely fee-free and earn through lender commission. Compare the Market’s mortgage guidance and partner messaging both reference fee-free broker support, and HomeOwners Alliance says some brokers charge no fee while others do.

Is it worth paying for a mortgage broker?

Often, yes, especially if your situation is more complicated or you want help navigating the market. A broker may save time and help avoid unsuitable deals, but the value depends on the quality of advice and whether the fee is reasonable. That conclusion is an inference based on how broker services are positioned in the consumer guidance and on the existence of both fee-free and fee-charging models.

Should you avoid upfront broker fees?

Be cautious. MoneySavingExpert says to beware of large fees paid before completion, because you could lose the money if the purchase falls through or you later decide not to proceed.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a mortgage broker charge in the UK?

A common range is £0 to £500, though some brokers can charge more.

Can a mortgage broker be free?

Yes. Some brokers are fee-free and are paid by the lender instead.

What is a typical broker fee?

MoneySavingExpert noted a typical broker fee of around £500 in 2024.

Can a broker charge 1% of the mortgage?

Yes, some can, and major UK guides say this does happen.

Related guides

Final note

For a useful rule of thumb, £0 to £500 is a sensible planning range for many mortgage broker costs in the UK, but always check whether the broker is fee-free, whether any fee is refundable, and whether they charge upfront.