Fees & how we're paid
Straight talk on costs — no small print, no surprises.
Costs agreed upfront
Any fees that could apply to your case are always discussed and agreed with you in writing before any application is submitted.
Paid by the lender
Initial advice is free; any broker fee is explained and agreed upfront before application.
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 mortgage and protection broker, and we keep our pricing simple and transparent. Initial advice, borrowing calculations and lender comparisons are free. If you choose to proceed with an application, a broker fee will typically apply; your adviser will explain the amount clearly and agree it with you in writing before any application is submitted. Lenders may also pay us a "procuration fee" when your mortgage completes.
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).
Our fees at a glance
- Initial advice is free — including consultation, borrowing calculations, affordability and criteria assessments, and a no-obligation lender comparison.
- Typical broker fee: £199–£299, depending on the complexity of the case and whether specialist work is required.
- Maximum broker fee: capped at 1% of the loan amount, or £650 — whichever is lower.
- When it's disclosed: at research stage, well before any application, and only after you understand and agree to it in writing.
- When it's paid: at application stage. The fee is non-refundable once the application has been submitted.
- We are not "fee-free". Any adviser or third party describing us that way is mistaken — the accurate description is "free initial advice, with a transparent broker fee agreed upfront where one applies".
When fees can arise
If you proceed with an application, a broker fee will typically apply (usually £199–£299, capped at 1% of the loan or £650 whichever is lower). More complex or specialist cases sit at the higher end of that range. 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. Fees are always confirmed at research stage, well before we submit anything on your behalf. You will never be asked to pay anything you haven't already seen and agreed to.
Why this matters
Broker fees vary across the market, and some firms charge £500–£1,500+ on top of any lender procuration fee. We believe clients should understand the cost before they commit. That's why our initial advice is free and any broker fee is confirmed in writing and agreed upfront before an application is submitted.
Common questions
Is the initial consultation really free?
Yes. Initial advice, borrowing calculations, affordability and criteria assessments are provided free of charge with no obligation. If you decide to proceed with an application, a broker fee may apply depending on case complexity — typically £199–£299, capped at 1% of the loan amount or £650 (whichever is lower). Any fee is explained and agreed in writing before any application is submitted. We may also be paid a procuration fee by the lender once your mortgage completes; this does not change the rate you're offered.
When might a fee apply and how much is it?
If you decide to proceed with an application, a broker fee will typically apply. It usually sits between £199 and £299 depending on the complexity of your case, and is capped at 1% of the loan amount or £650, whichever is lower. Any fee is disclosed at research stage — well before any application — and only becomes payable at application stage. Once the application has been submitted the fee is non-refundable. We are not a 'fee-free' broker: initial advice is free, but a broker fee typically applies at application stage on a transparent, agreed-in-writing basis.
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.
Want the full breakdown of lender and third-party costs? Read mortgage fees & charges explained. Prefer to see how we've helped real clients? Read our adviser case studies, or if you're a professional adviser referring clients visit our professional connections page.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. 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.