Frequently Asked Questions
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A mortgage broker helps you find and arrange the right mortgage for your situation. At Victoria Park Mortgages, we compare deals from across the market, recommend suitable options, and manage the process from start to finish.
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Yes. We are independent, whole-of-market mortgage brokers. This means we are not tied to any one lender and can search a wide range of mortgage products.
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Banks only offer their own mortgages. A mortgage broker compares multiple lenders, including exclusive deals not available directly, helping you find a more suitable mortgage and saving you time.
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No. We offer completely fee-free mortgage advice. You do not pay us for our service.
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We are paid by the lender once your mortgage completes. This does not impact the deal or service you receive.
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No. Our service is free. However, some mortgage lenders may charge product fees, arrangement fees, or valuation fees. These are set by the lender and not by us. We will always explain any costs clearly before you proceed.
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Yes. We specialise in helping first-time buyers understand how much they can borrow, what deposit is needed, and how to secure their first mortgage.
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Most lenders require at least 5 percent of the property value, although a larger deposit can improve your mortgage options and interest rates.
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This depends on your income, expenses, and credit profile. We provide a personalised mortgage affordability assessment to give you a clear budget.
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Remortgaging means switching your existing mortgage to a new deal, either with your current lender or a new one, often to get a better interest rate or release equity.
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Many people remortgage when their current deal is ending. We recommend reviewing your options around six months before your deal expires.
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Yes. We can help you arrange a new mortgage or transfer your existing deal when you move house.
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Yes. We help landlords find suitable buy-to-let mortgages, whether you are purchasing your first investment property or growing a portfolio.
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Lenders usually assess rental income as well as your personal financial situation. We will guide you through the requirements.
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The typical mortgage process includes:
Reviewing your finances and affordability
Getting a mortgage agreement in principle
Finding a property and making an offer
Submitting your mortgage application
Receiving a mortgage offer
Completing your purchase
We manage the process and keep you updated at every stage.
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Most mortgage applications take between two and six weeks, depending on the lender and your circumstances.
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Yes - that’s our specialty. We deal with the paperwork, and lenders, to make the process as smooth as possible.
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A decision in principle involves a soft credit check, a full mortgage application involves a hard credit check, but we guide you carefully to avoid unnecessary checks.
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Yes, in many cases. We work with lenders who consider applicants with less-than-perfect credit histories.
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Yes. We help self-employed clients secure mortgages using suitable lenders who understand complex income.
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Life insurance is not always required, but it is strongly recommended to protect your home and family.
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Yes. We can help you find suitable life insurance, income protection, and critical illness cover.
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You can contact us to arrange a free consultation. We will review your situation and provide tailored mortgage options.
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We will usually ask for details about your income, deposit, employment, and any existing financial commitments.
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We provide expert, fee-free mortgage advice, access to the whole market, and a fully managed service from start to finish.
Our purpose is to help individuals and families achieve financial security and sustainable homeownership while promoting responsible lending practices and community wellbeing. We integrate this purpose into all our business decisions, services, and strategies, ensuring positive social and financial impact.
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Our Approach
As a small mortgage brokerage, our direct environmental impact is limited. However, we recognise our responsibility to operate in a way that considers environmental impact where possible and practical within the nature of our business.
Our climate approach focuses on reducing unnecessary resource use, operating efficiently, and making environmentally conscious decisions where they align with our services and operations.
Key Environmental Commitments
We recognise that meaningful climate action requires clear commitments, appropriate measures and regular review. We therefore commit to the following practical actions:
Digital-first processes
We prioritise digital-first processes to reduce paper usage and minimise printing wherever possible, including the use of digital documentation, electronic communications, electronic signatures and digital document storage.
Target: During 2025, we reduced printing to an average of 10 sheets per month. During 2026 we intend to continue meeting this standard. Going forward we anticipate lenders and stakeholders continuing to move towards digital processes which supports our printing impact goal.
Measurement: Paper purchasing and, where available, printer usage records will be reviewed annually.
Shared and flexible workspace
We operate from shared co-working spaces rather than maintaining dedicated office premises, helping to reduce the energy and material resources associated with maintaining a dedicated office.
Target: We will maintain a shared or flexible workspace model through 31 December 2028, where this remains commercially and operationally appropriate.
Measurement: Our workspace arrangements will be reviewed and recorded annually by the directors each January beginning in January 2027.
Remote and low-travel client interactions
We encourage remote client interactions using telephone, video conferencing and other digital communication methods where appropriate, reducing the need for unnecessary travel.
Target: During 2025, we established a baseline for business travel associated with client meetings. 92% of client interactions were conducted digitally. During 2026 we intend to continue meeting this standard. Going forward we anticipate client meetings continuing to move to digital platforms as society becomes increasingly comfortable with conducting financial conversations online rather than in person.
Measurement: Available business travel and expense records will be reviewed annually by company directors in January each year.
Responsible procurement
We aim to make responsible choices when selecting suppliers, tools and technology services, considering efficiency and sustainability where feasible and proportionate to the nature and scale of our business.
1.5°C Ambition
Victoria Park Mortgage Company recognises the importance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and is committed to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with our business activities in support of this ambition.
We recognise that achieving the 1.5°C ambition requires action across the economy and society. As a mortgage business, we will focus on the areas within our influence and control, including reducing the environmental impact of our own operations and considering environmental factors within our business practices.
Areas of Focus
Given the nature of our business, our environmental focus areas are:
Efficient use of digital systems and cloud-based services
Reduction of unnecessary physical materials and waste
Preference for shared infrastructure over privately owned office resources
Reduction of unnecessary business travel
Responsible consideration of environmental impact in business operations and procurement where applicable
Stakeholder Engagement
We recognise that effective climate action benefits from understanding the views and experiences of stakeholders who interact with or are affected by our business.
We will engage with relevant stakeholders in a manner proportionate to the size and nature of our business.
Clients: We will consider client feedback regarding digital communication, remote meetings and other aspects of our service that may influence environmental impact. Relevant feedback will be considered when reviewing our environmental approach.
Employees: Employees are encouraged to identify practical opportunities to reduce environmental impact, including reducing unnecessary printing, making effective use of digital processes and avoiding unnecessary travel. Environmental considerations may be discussed through employee communication and review processes.
Suppliers: We will consider environmental factors when reviewing relevant suppliers and procurement relationships, including whether suppliers can support more efficient or sustainable business practices.
Professional network: We will consider relevant environmental guidance, information and good practice shared through our professional and industry networks and assess whether this presents opportunities to improve our environmental performance.
Stakeholder feedback and relevant environmental information will be considered as part of the annual review of this Climate Action Plan.
Resources and Responsibility
The directors have overall responsibility for approving and overseeing this Climate Action Plan and ensuring that appropriate resources are available to support its implementation.
The compliance function supports monitoring, record keeping and the review of environmental considerations and progress against the commitments in this plan.
Employees and human resources processes support implementation by encouraging responsible use of resources, digital-first working and identification of practical opportunities for environmental improvement.
VPMC uses technical resources including digital document management and storage systems, electronic signature facilities, electronic communications, video conferencing and available reporting and data-monitoring systems to support the implementation and measurement of our environmental commitments.
The company will consider appropriate financial and material resources where required to support environmental improvements, including investment in digital systems, technology, workspace arrangements and other measures that can reduce environmental impact.
The resources required to deliver this plan will be reviewed as part of the directors' annual review.
Continuous Improvement
We recognise that our approach to climate and environmental responsibility will evolve over time.
We are committed to reviewing our practices and progress against our targets annually and identifying practical opportunities to reduce our environmental impact in a proportionate way aligned with the scale and nature of our operations.
Where a target is not achieved, the directors will consider the reasons for this and whether additional measures or revised actions are appropriate.
As our business develops, we will continue to consider whether additional environmental measurement or reporting is appropriate.
Governance
This Climate Action Plan is approved by the company's directors and forms part of our wider commitment to responsible business practices.
The directors are responsible for setting environmental objectives, approving this plan, reviewing progress and ensuring appropriate resources are available.
The compliance function supports monitoring and reporting, while employees and relevant business functions support implementation within their areas of responsibility.
Progress against the commitments in this plan will be reviewed at least annually by the directors, including consideration of performance against targets, stakeholder feedback, available environmental data and whether further action is appropriate.
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The company does not engage in lobbying activities, political campaigning, or political advocacy, and does not currently intend to do so in the future. Should this change, an update will be publicly issued. The company’s lobbying policy is available by request: info@victoriaparkmortgages.co.uk
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1. Our Commitment
The company is committed to operating as a responsible, ethical, and fair business. We aim to ensure that our decisions, operations, and client services are conducted with integrity, transparency, and respect for all individuals and communities we interact with. This commitment underpins how we run our business, support our clients, and engage with our wider professional network and community.
2. Human Rights Commitment
The company publicly commits to respecting and upholding human rights in all areas of its operations and business relationships. This commitment is aligned with:
• The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
• The International Bill of Rights, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• The International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
We recognise the importance of protecting fundamental rights, including fair treatment, dignity, equality, and freedom from discrimination, forced labour, and child labour. This commitment applies to all employees, contractors, and relevant business relationships. As a regulated financial services provider authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, we also operate within a framework that promotes fair treatment of customers, responsible conduct, and ethical decision-making, which reinforces our human rights principles.
3. Ethical Business Principles
We are committed to conducting business in an ethical and responsible manner. This includes:
• Acting honestly and transparently in all client interactions
• Providing clear, fair, and not misleading information
• Treating all clients fairly and without bias
• Ensuring confidentiality and appropriate handling of personal data
• Avoiding practices that may result in harm or unfair outcomes We aim to ensure that our services support informed decision-making and positive client outcomes.
4. Responsible Client Service
We recognise that financial services can involve complex and high-impact decisions for clients. We therefore prioritise:
• Clear and accessible communication
• Support for clients who may be in vulnerable circumstances
• Fair treatment throughout the mortgage advice process
• Responsible and compliant financial promotions and advice practices
These principles are embedded in our day-to-day operations and internal policies.
5. Governance and Accountability
This statement is approved by the company’s directors and forms part of our overall governance approach. Responsibility for ethical conduct and corporate responsibility sits with the directors and compliance function, ensuring that these principles are integrated into decision-making, policies, and operational practices.
6. Continuous Improvement
We recognise that responsible business practices evolve over time. We are committed to reviewing and improving our approach to corporate responsibility, ethics, and human rights on an ongoing basis. This includes reflecting on feedback, regulatory expectations, and opportunities to strengthen our impact as a responsible business.