Ask the experts

About our experts...

At John Charcol, we are constantly asked for advice by borrowers on what they should do when it comes to mortgages. As such, we created this section so that you can submit your questions to our experts. The answers are provided by a number of people who have years of experience in the mortgage market. The team is led by Peter Woodward who works in our technical department. Peter spent his formative years as an underwriter with one of the major UK lenders so what he doesn't know, quite frankly, isn't worth knowing...

So please do submit your question and we will do all we can to answer it as quickly as possible

Please be aware that these answers can only be generic and no personal recommendations can be made.

Moving in with Partner and Letting Property in Negative Equity

Posted on 30 April 2009

My partner has a residential mortgage and wants to move in with me and let his house. What is the best way to do this? He does not have any equity in the house at present.

As your partner has no equity in the property (a...

Category: Buy-to-let

Buy to Let Revert to Rate

Posted on 30 April 2009

i arranged a BTL mortgage with Mortgage Express 2 years ago when ALL their variable rates used to track BOE base rate at 2% or 1.75%. Mortgage Express are now refusing to pass the base rate cut and claim that the mortgage...

Category: Buy-to-let

Remortgaging Sole Residence as a BTL?

Posted on 17 April 2009

I gained permission to let my flat 2 years ago by my lender for 1 year. Although they have since not contacted me to discuss where I stand on this. I came off my fixed rate in July2008 of 5.05%, but have subsequently benefited...

Category: Buy-to-let, Remortgaging

Second property

Posted on 14 April 2009

You successfully arranged a mortgage for myself (a british national) and my partner (an Australian national) - this was 18 months ago. We are seeking to buy a second property in another area. Are there any providers who will...

Category: Second properties, Special circumstances

Buy-to-Let in negative equity

Posted on 9 April 2009

I am a British citizen who recently moved to the USA after getting married. Mortgage on my main UK residence is due to expire in September. I am not working at the moment but my husband is and can afford maintaining the two of...

Category: Buy-to-let, Remortgaging

Buying property now to retire to

Posted on 3 April 2009

I have equity of 130000 in a property valued at 150000. I want to buy a second property to retire to in 3 years when I will be 60. In the meantime I would like to rent out this second property.

I have an income of £48000 and...

Category: Buy-to-let, Interest only vs repayment, Legal matters, Remortgaging, Tax issues

Answers provided in response to Ask the experts are based on the information provided and do not constitute advice under the Financial Services & Markets Act. They reflect the personal views of the authors and do not neccessarily represent the views, positions, strategies or opinions of John Charcol Limited. All comments are made in good faith, and John Charcol Limited will not accept liability for them.

We recommend you seek professional advice with regard to any of these topics where appropriate.