Fees & how we're paid
Straight talk on costs — no small print, no surprises.
£0 to you
No fee for advice on standard residential and remortgage cases.
Paid by the lender
We receive a procuration fee from the lender after completion.
Same rate either way
The deal you're offered is identical whether you go direct or through us.
The short version
The Mortgage Genie is a fee-free mortgage and protection broker. All of our up-front work — initial advice, borrowing and affordability calculations, lender criteria assessments and product recommendations — is provided free of charge. For the great majority of clients we do not charge a penny at any point; lenders pay us a small "procuration fee" when your mortgage completes, and that's how the firm covers its costs.
The rate you're offered by a lender is exactly the same whether you apply directly or come through us. Our fee comes from the lender's own marketing budget; it never affects your rate, your monthly payment, or any lender fees you'd pay anyway (such as product or valuation fees).
When fees can arise
In a small number of more complex or specialist cases, an administration fee may apply at the point of application. Separately, the lender or product you choose may carry its own costs — for example a product or arrangement fee, a valuation fee, or legal costs on a purchase. These are paid to the lender or the third party providing the service, not to us.
Whatever your situation, every cost that could apply — ours or anyone else's — will be set out clearly and mutually agreed in writing before any application is submitted. You will never be asked to pay anything you haven't already seen and agreed to.
Why this matters
Some brokers charge fees of £500–£1,500+ on top of the lender's procuration fee. We've never thought that was right for most cases — particularly first-time buyers and remortgages, where every pound counts. Our model only works because we look after clients for the long term and they come back to us (and refer their friends and family) at remortgage time.
Common questions
Do I really pay nothing?
All of our up-front work — initial advice, borrowing calculations, affordability and criteria assessments, and recommending the right deal — is provided free of charge. For the great majority of standard residential and remortgage cases there is no fee at any stage; we're paid a procuration fee directly by the lender once your mortgage completes, and this does not change the rate you're offered.
When might a fee apply?
A small number of complex or specialist cases — for example, certain adverse credit, complex buy-to-let portfolios, bridging finance, or commercial mortgages — may carry an administration fee at the point of application. If any fee applies to your case, we will tell you the exact amount in writing and you will need to agree to it before any application is submitted. You will never be charged a fee you weren't expecting.
What about lender or third-party costs?
Separate from our advice, the lender or product you choose may carry its own costs — for example a product/arrangement fee, a valuation fee, a CHAPS/telegraphic transfer fee, or legal costs on a purchase. These are paid to the lender or third party, not to us. We will always walk you through every cost that applies to your chosen deal before you commit, so there are no surprises.
How much does the lender pay you?
Procuration fees vary by lender, typically between 0.30% and 0.45% of the loan amount. The fee comes from the lender's marketing budget — it does not affect your rate, repayments, or the cost of your mortgage in any way.
Does this create a conflict of interest?
No. We're authorised to recommend products from 90+ lenders through the Primis Mortgage Network, and we have a regulatory duty to recommend the most suitable mortgage for you — not the one that pays us most. We document the reasons for every recommendation.
What about insurance and protection?
Our protection advice (life insurance, critical illness, income protection, buildings & contents) is also provided on a no-fee basis. Insurers pay us a commission when a policy goes on risk. We'll always tell you what we'll be paid before you commit.
Have a question about your case?
If you're unsure whether a fee would apply to your situation, just ask. We'll give you a straight answer before any work begins.
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Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Initial advice, borrowing calculations and criteria assessments are always provided fee-free. In some cases an administration fee may apply at the point of application, and lender or product-related costs (such as product, valuation or legal fees) may also apply. Any such fees will be confirmed in writing and mutually agreed before any application is submitted.