Why do I need a mortgage broker?

As a specialist mortgage broker, we work with over 100 lenders and schemes, giving us access to thousands of mortgage products. This means we can find all the schemes you're eligible for and how much they could boost your budget by in an instant - saving you time, effort and money. Your dedicated mortgage broker will then walk you every step of your homebuying journey, right up to getting the keys to your new home.

How much does a mortgage broker cost?

At Tembo, we pride ourselves on the service we give to our customers. Regardless of how complex your situation is, we aim to deliver an award-winning experience. Because of this, we usually charge a fee for our mortgage advice. Crucially, you will never pay for advice alone. The fee is only payable once you have a mortgage offer from a lender.

What is a whole-of-market mortgage broker?

A whole-of-market broker searches deals from across the mortgage market rather than from a fixed panel of lenders. That means you're compared against more options - with Tembo, this includes specialist schemes that don't appear on typical mortgage comparison sites. Not all brokers advertised as 'independent' are whole-of-market, so it's worth asking!

How long does it take to get a mortgage through Tembo?

Tembo's average time from application to mortgage offer is just 10 days. After your initial call, your dedicated mortgage advisor is by your side through your mortgage application, including finding the best mortgage deal for you from across the market. Your case manager then handles your application through to completion, keeping you updated at every stage.

Is Tembo FCA regulated?

Yes! Tembo Money Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). For mortgages, Tembo Money Limited is authorised and regulated under registration number 952652. Tembo Savings Limited is authorised and regulated separately for our savings products under registration number 928010 (and as an account information service provider under 913654).

How much can Tembo increase my buying budget by?

On average, Tembo customers increase their buying budget by £82,000. This comes from our access to over 100 lenders, as well as specialist schemes such as guarantor mortgages, shared ownership and key worker mortgages. Your actual figure depends on your income, deposit and circumstances.

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Fee-free mortgage advice

Saving you up to £749

Exclusive mortgage benefits for Blue Light Card members

Whether you work in the NHS, emergency services, teaching or the armed forces, we're proud to help Blue Light Card members buy or remortgage. Discover your borrowing potential in minutes with Tembo.

Fee-free advice for Blue Light Card members

Get £50 cashback when you complete T&Cs apply

Same-day appointments available

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Best Mortgage Broker 5 years running

Access to 100+ lenders

Rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot

Best Mortgage Broker 5 years running

Access to 100+ lenders

Rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot

★★★★★

Ben, Amy and Alice were amazing throughout the whole process. As first-time buyers, we had lots of questions, and they were always patient, reassuring, and incredibly quick to respond. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and they made what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and straightforward. A huge bonus was that there was no charge for NHS workers, which made the experience even better. We couldn’t be happier with the service we received and would highly recommend them to anyone.

Alice

★★★★★

Was recommended Tembo by a fellow NHS shift worker, and was impressed by the rec and reviews so thought I'd try - definitely worth while. Advisor Jess provided incredible support and guidance at the start, and particularly excelled in communication which updates on mortgage as well as adhoc check ins. The fabulous communication continued when case progressed to Broker Elly and honestly cannot thank the both of them enough!

Rachel

★★★★★

We accessed Tembo through the NHS staff scheme and have had an amazing experience. Having returned recently from abroad and with complex work contracts, Jess was fantastic at helping us find a mortgage and secure our future property. She is always super friendly, professional, efficient and balanced in her work, and we couldn't recommend her more. In addition, when she has been on her well earned days off, her colleague Elly has been equally helpful at resolving any queries we had, and also responding promptly to any issues. I couldn't recommend them enough!

Adam

★★★★★

Really great service! Bethany and Callum were super helpful and made the process so smooth. As first time buyers, Bethany was very helpful and patient, and always explained everything well. As an NHS worker, we also benefited from their free service, which is a lovely perk. I couldn't recommend them enough!

Tess

★★★★★

Ben, Amy and Alice were amazing throughout the whole process. As first-time buyers, we had lots of questions, and they were always patient, reassuring, and incredibly quick to respond. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and they made what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and straightforward. A huge bonus was that there was no charge for NHS workers, which made the experience even better. We couldn’t be happier with the service we received and would highly recommend them to anyone.

Jess

★★★★★

Tembo was by far the best mortgage broker I dealt with. As a first time buyer, I gained several offers before making a decision. Sophie Richards was my advisor and she was excellent! She offered the best rates and was very helpful in trying to make things work. I also spoke with Alice Read who was also extremely helpful. If you're looking for a broker, look no further! I also greatly appreciated 0 broker fees for NHS workers!

Rebecca

Why use Tembo?

Olivia, you’ve got 7 options to buy that home worth

£300,000

We search over 100 lenders & 25 schemes to find you the best deal

Most comparison sites show standard mortgage products. We combine expert mortgage advice with our proprietary technology to uncover all the ways you could buy or remortgage, increasing budgets by an average of £82,000 versus “standard” mortgage calculators.

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Specialist First-time buyer schemes

First-time buyer mortgage

Low deposit, low affordability, solo buyers

Enhanced affordability and lower rates for first-time buyers

New home mortgages & schemes

New-build mortgage

Low deposit, low affordability, solo buyers

Lower deposit requirements and better rates for new build homes

Family supported mortgages

Guarantor mortgages

Low affordability

Using guarantor income, savings or property to boost borrowing

Switch to a new deal

Remortgage

Employment & Income

Best rates from over 20,000 products and 100+ lenders

Part buy part rent

Shared Ownership

Low affordability

Increase your budget with the government's shared ownership scheme

Specialist speedy mortgages

Fast-track mortgage

Low deposit, low affordability, solo buyers

Lenders offering digital valuations or income verification to secure you a quick mortgage offer.

utilises COMPLEX self-employed income

Self employed mortgage

Self-employed or complex income

Options for sole traders, contractors & company directors that only need one year’s accounts.

Trusted by thousands to make home happen

Navigating the world of mortgages can feel overwhelming. We simplify the process and cut through the jargon to make your mortgage journey as seamless as possible. Helping you discover the best options for you, including ways you could boost your budget, with plain-speaking guidance throughout. It's why we've been voted Best Mortgage Broker five years running.

Exclusive mortgage benefits for Blue Light Card members

Discover how much you can really borrow.

Why use Tembo?

Olivia, you’ve got 7 options to buy that home worth

£300,000

We search over 100 lenders & 25 schemes to find you the best deal

First-time buyer mortgage

New-build mortgage

Guarantor mortgages

Remortgage

Shared Ownership

Fast-track mortgage

Self employed mortgage

Trusted by thousands to make home happen

Single income first-time buyer

Buying with complex income

First-time buyer in London

Using income to boost affordability

Remortgaging to gift a deposit

Acting as a silent guarantor

Got questions? We've got answers

Frequently asked questions

Resources