Buying a Home
Remortgaging
Landlord
Specialist
Secured Loans
Debt Consolidation
Conveyancing
Finding a Solicitor
Mortgages
Mortgage Advice Bureau is one of the UK's largest mortgage broker networks, with advisors across the country and access to a wide range of lenders. This review covers their fees, services, and customer feedback so you can decide if they're right for you.
Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) is a well-established mortgage broker network, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, with advisors across the UK and access to more than 90 lenders and 12,000+ products.
Overall, Mortgage Advice Bureau is a solid choice for first-time buyers, home movers, and remortgagers who value personal, face-to-face service, although fee-free alternatives may suit those with straightforward cases who want to avoid broker fees.
Overview
If you're weighing up Mortgage Advice Bureau mortgages against other brokers, here's the short version before we get into the detail.
Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) is one of the UK's largest mortgage broker networks, with over 2,000 advisors across the country and access to more than 90 lenders. We rate them 4 out of 5 overall. They're a strong choice for first-time buyers, home movers, and remortgagers who value face-to-face advice, although their fees (typically 0.3% of the loan amount) mean they're not always the cheapest option.
Ask your Mortgage Advice Bureau advisor for their fee structure in writing before you proceed. Fees vary between individual advisors within the network, so what one branch charges may differ from another.
About the broker
Mortgage Advice Bureau is a mortgage intermediary network that connects homebuyers with mortgage advisors across the UK. They don't lend money directly - instead, their advisors search a panel of lenders to find mortgage products that match your circumstances.
MAB operates differently from many brokers. Rather than employing advisors directly, they work as a network of appointed representative firms. This means when you contact MAB, you'll be connected with a local advisor who operates under the MAB brand and follows their compliance standards.
The company was co-founded by Peter Brodnicki in 2000 and has grown to become one of the most recognised names in UK mortgage broking. In 2014, they became the first - and remain the only - mortgage intermediary to float on the London Stock Exchange.
How it works
Initial consultation
You'll speak with an advisor who assesses your financial situation, discusses your needs, and explains what products might be available to you. This first conversation costs nothing and comes with no obligation to proceed.
Product search
Your advisor searches MAB's panel of 90+ lenders to find mortgages that suit your circumstances, including some exclusive deals not available directly from lenders.
Recommendation
Your advisor recommends suitable options and explains the pros and cons of each. This is regulated advice, meaning they must justify their recommendation as suitable for your situation.
Application support
Once you've chosen a product, your advisor handles the application paperwork, liaises with the lender, and keeps you updated throughout the process.
Completion
Your advisor stays involved until your mortgage completes, handling any issues that arise during underwriting or conveyancing.
Products
MAB advisors can help with a wide range of mortgage types. Here's what their network covers.
MAB handles all standard residential mortgage types:
For landlords and property investors, MAB can arrange:
MAB has developed a strong presence in later life lending:
MAB charges up to £995 for later life mortgage advice, reflecting the additional complexity of these products.
MAB advisors can also help with:
Not sure where to start
Speak to an advisor about your circumstances, whether you're buying your first home, remortgaging, or investing in a buy-to-let property.
Broker basics
Before diving deeper into MAB specifically, it helps to understand what a mortgage broker actually does and why you might use one.
A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary between you and mortgage lenders. Instead of approaching banks directly, the broker searches across multiple lenders to find products that suit your needs, then handles the application process on your behalf.
Costs
MAB's fee structure is one of the most important factors to consider. Here's how their charges typically work.
MAB advisors can charge up to 1% of your mortgage amount, although they state the typical fee is 0.3%. The actual fee depends on your circumstances and the individual advisor. Some advisors work purely on commission from lenders and charge no fee to clients, while others charge fees alongside commission.
Ask your specific advisor about their fee structure upfront, and get it in writing before proceeding.
For equity release and later life mortgages, MAB charges up to £995 as an advice fee. This reflects the additional regulation and complexity of these products, which require specialist qualifications.
MAB's typical 0.3% fee is in line with many traditional brokers but higher than some alternatives:
That said, MAB's fee reflects the face-to-face service they offer, which online brokers typically don't provide. For complex cases or those who value personal advice, paying a fee can be worthwhile.
If you're comparing several brokers, ask each one whether their fee is negotiable and at what point it becomes payable. Some advisors will reduce or waive their fee for straightforward cases.
Comparison
Understanding how MAB stacks up against alternatives helps you decide if they're right for your situation.
L&C is MAB's closest traditional competitor. Both have excellent customer ratings and similar lender access. The key difference is L&C's fee-free model versus MAB's typical fee. However, MAB offers more face-to-face options, which may suit customers who prefer in-person advice.
Choose MAB if: you want face-to-face advice or are buying a new build, where MAB has strong developer partnerships.
Choose L&C if: you're comfortable with phone or video advice and want to avoid broker fees.
Habito is a digital-first broker that offers whole-of-market access without fees. Their technology-driven approach suits customers who prefer managing everything online.
Choose MAB if: you want personal guidance from a named advisor you can meet in person.
Choose Habito if: you're comfortable online, have a straightforward application, and want the broadest lender access.
Going directly to your bank or building society means no broker fees, but you'll only see products from that single lender. You might miss better deals elsewhere, and you won't get independent advice on whether the product suits your circumstances.
Choose MAB if: you want to compare multiple lenders and receive regulated advice.
Go direct if: you're confident your existing bank offers a good deal and have a simple, straightforward case.
Reviews
Customer feedback is an important factor when choosing a mortgage broker. Here's what the data shows.
These are strong ratings that put MAB among the better-reviewed brokers in the UK.
Customers frequently praise MAB's communication and responsiveness, with reviewers mentioning advisors who responded quickly, kept them updated throughout the process, and were available to answer questions.
"Fast, efficient and made a complicated process feel extremely simple and stress-free." - Feefo review, 2025
Many customers also highlight advisors who understood complex situations, explained options clearly, and found solutions when others couldn't.
"As a self-employed person, getting a mortgage can be stressful and complicated, but my advisor made the whole process so much easier. He took the time to understand my situation and explained all my options." - Trustpilot review, 2025
MAB receives particularly positive feedback from first-time buyers who appreciated guidance through an unfamiliar process.
"As first-time buyers with no real idea regarding the process, our advisor guided us through brilliantly, explaining things in a way that was easy to understand." - Trustpilot review, 2025
Some customers have raised concerns about inconsistent service quality. Because MAB is a network of independent firms, experiences vary significantly depending on which advisor you're assigned.
"The service I received was disappointing. My advisor didn't seem to pay attention to detail and often took more than a day to respond to messages." - Trustpilot review
Other customers have mentioned fee disputes, where fees weren't clearly explained upfront, or advice quality concerns where a small number of reviewers felt they had to research better options themselves.
MAB processes around 12,000 mortgages monthly and receives approximately 400 complaints per year, according to company data. They've invested in technology to speed up complaint resolution, reducing initial response times significantly.
If you're unhappy with MAB's service, you can complain directly to them first. If the issue isn't resolved, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which is free to use. You may also be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme for losses if the firm is unable to meet its obligations.
If you're ever unsure what to do or need independent guidance, MoneyHelper offers free, impartial support at moneyhelper.org.uk or on 0800 138 7777.
Compare your options before you commit to an advisor.
Suitability
Based on their services, fees, and customer feedback, here's who Mortgage Advice Bureau tends to suit best, and where a poor fit shows.
MAB may not be ideal if you:
Best fit
Process
Here's what to expect if you decide to use Mortgage Advice Bureau.
Contact MAB through their website, phone, or a referral from an estate agent or developer. You'll be connected with a local advisor who'll discuss your circumstances, conduct an initial affordability assessment, explain what types of mortgages might be available, and outline their fees and how they work.
This initial consultation is provided at no cost, with no obligation to proceed. The advisor may run a soft credit check at this stage, which won't affect your credit score.
Timeline: usually completed in one meeting or call, 15 to 60 minutes.
If you decide to proceed, your advisor will request documentation including proof of identity, proof of address, income evidence, bank statements, details of debts and other financial commitments, and information about the property you're buying.
Your advisor uses this information to search for suitable mortgages and confirm which lenders are likely to accept your application.
Timeline: 1 to 2 weeks depending on how quickly you provide documents.
Your advisor presents their recommendations, explaining which products they're suggesting and why, the fees or early repayment charges involved, and how the products compare to alternatives. This is regulated advice, meaning your advisor must justify their recommendation as suitable for your specific circumstances.
Timeline: usually within a few days of receiving your documents.
Once you've chosen a product, your advisor submits the full application to the lender. This triggers a hard credit check, which will appear on your credit file. The lender may request additional information during underwriting, and your advisor handles these queries on your behalf.
Timeline: lender decisions typically take 2 to 4 weeks, though complex cases can take longer.
If approved, you'll receive a formal mortgage offer detailing the terms and conditions. Your advisor reviews this with you to ensure everything is as expected. At this point, you'll typically pay any remaining broker fee, depending on your agreement with the advisor.
Timeline: offers are usually valid for 3 to 6 months.
Your mortgage completes when the legal process (conveyancing) finishes and funds are transferred. Your advisor stays available to answer questions and help if any issues arise.
Timeline: varies depending on your property chain, typically 4 to 12 weeks from offer.
If you've decided MAB is right for you, here's how to begin:
The initial consultation costs nothing, with no obligation to proceed. Speak to an advisor to understand your options before committing to their service.
Regulation
Understanding MAB's regulatory position helps you know what protection you have.
Mortgage Advice Bureau Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This means MAB must treat customers fairly, advisors must only recommend suitable products, you have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for complaints, and you're protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if MAB were to fail.
If your advisor recommends an unsuitable mortgage and you suffer financial loss as a result, you have routes for redress. The Financial Conduct Authority's conduct rules mean MAB must give you clear information about costs and risks, assess affordability properly, recommend products that meet your needs, and handle complaints fairly.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme protects consumers if authorised firms fail. For mortgage advice, it can pay compensation up to £85,000 per person per firm if you've suffered loss because of bad advice.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it.
Summary
Common questions
Yes. MAB is a genuine mortgage broker network, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, that's been operating since 2000. They're publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange and arrange over £16 billion in mortgages annually, making them one of the UK's largest and most established mortgage intermediaries.
MAB advisors can charge up to 1% of your mortgage amount, but the typical fee is 0.3%. On a £250,000 mortgage, that typically works out at £750, but it could be up to £2,500. Some advisors work purely on commission and charge no fee. Always confirm the exact fee structure with your advisor before proceeding.
MAB advisors typically run a soft credit check during the initial assessment, which doesn't affect your credit score. A hard credit check only happens when you submit a full mortgage application to a lender, which your advisor will explain beforehand.
From initial consultation to mortgage offer, expect around 4 to 8 weeks for straightforward cases. Complex situations, such as self-employment, adverse credit, or unusual properties, can take longer. Completion depends on your property chain and conveyancing, typically 4 to 12 weeks after receiving your offer.
MAB advisors can help with some credit issues. They have lenders on their panel who accept applications with adverse credit history, although options will be more limited than for those with a clean credit file. For serious credit problems, a specialist adverse credit broker might access more options.
MAB isn't a whole-of-market broker - they search a panel of 90+ lenders rather than every lender in the UK. They receive commission from lenders when arranging mortgages, as well as potentially charging you a fee. They're required by Financial Conduct Authority rules to only recommend products that are suitable for your circumstances.
Yes. MAB advisors handle remortgages regularly, helping you switch to a new deal when your current rate ends. They'll search for suitable options and handle the application process. It's worth weighing up whether their fee represents good value for a straightforward rate switch.
If MAB can't find a suitable mortgage on their panel, they should explain why and may suggest alternative routes. They won't charge fees for unsuccessful applications, as fees are typically only due on mortgage offer or completion. You could then try other brokers with different lender panels or specialist contacts.
Contact MAB directly first through their complaints process. If you're not satisfied with their response, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which handles disputes between consumers and financial firms and is free to use. If you need independent guidance at any point, MoneyHelper offers free support at moneyhelper.org.uk or on 0800 138 7777.
Yes. MAB advisors typically also offer protection products including life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection, which they may discuss alongside your mortgage application. These products are optional, and you're not obliged to buy protection through MAB.
Yes. MAB handles buy-to-let mortgages, including standard BTL, HMOs, and limited company purchases. They have lenders on their panel who specialise in landlord mortgages, so a MAB advisor with buy-to-let experience can help if you're building a property portfolio.
Your bank only offers its own mortgage products, while MAB searches across 90+ lenders. MAB provides independent advice on which products suit your circumstances, whereas bank staff typically explain their own products without comparing alternatives. However, MAB charges fees while bank applications are usually free.
MAB advisors earn money through two potential sources: commission paid by lenders when mortgages complete, and fees charged to customers. The balance depends on the individual advisor and firm within the MAB network. Either way, they're required to recommend products that suit your needs, not just those that pay the highest commission.
What our clients say
Shortly after I spoke with Anna, she was also very helpful and made it effortless and a nice experience.
Had a really good experience regarding arranging a secured loan. They introduced me to a great advisor. Thanks for the help.
For once a loan transaction without stress and complications. Very impressed and highly recommended.
Thrilled to share my exceptional experience with Money Saving Advisors. The website made it incredibly simple and easy to connect with an advisor. They helped me find the best deal on my remortgage and secured a very competitive interest rate!
Great advice and money saved on mortgage.
I have previously declined a loan of the value I needed from various brokers, but this website found me a reputable broker with surprisingly decent rates.
Mortgages
Compare mortgage rates from a wide range of lenders. Our expert advisors are here to help you find the right deal.
