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What is Mortgage broker?
Last verified 31 October 2026
A mortgage broker is an intermediary who arranges mortgages between borrowers and lenders, and in many cases also advises on which product to take. For a landlord the broker's job is to find a buy-to-let or residential deal that fits the property and the borrower.
Why it matters to landlords
Before using a broker, check them. The FCA says to use its Firm Checker before buying a financial product or service, to confirm the firm is authorised and has permission for what you want, and to make sure the contact details you were given match those on the Firm Checker. It also says to avoid firms marked as no longer authorised or revoked, and publishes warnings about unauthorised firms.
Buy-to-let adds a wrinkle. The FCA says business buy-to-let intermediation has not been a regulated activity since 21 March 2016, while consumer buy-to-let broking requires registration with the FCA. Ask the broker which type of buy-to-let work they are registered for, and ask how they are paid before you give them your documents.
Example
Leo wants to remortgage two rented flats. He finds a broker online, searches the firm on the FCA Financial Services Register, confirms it holds permission for mortgage work, and checks the phone number on its quote matches the register. He then asks whether it can arrange consumer buy-to-let loans and how it is paid.