Police-Friendly
Mortgage Brokers
What "police-friendly" actually means, how to check a broker is legitimate, what it costs, and the exact questions to ask before you instruct anyone.
We are not a mortgage broker and do not currently have live broker partners. This page explains how to vet any broker yourself, and lets you register interest in a future vetted introduction panel.
"Police-friendly" is not a regulatory category or a discounted product — it describes a broker who is experienced reading police payslips and knows which lenders accept 100% of proven overtime, rest-day working and regional allowances rather than shading them by 50% or ignoring them entirely.
A) What "police-friendly" actually means
There is no FCA category, kitemark or accreditation called "police-friendly mortgage broker." It's a description of experience, not a product. As set out in our mortgage lending rules guide, lenders vary hugely in how they treat overtime, rest-day working, acting-up allowances and London Weighting. A broker who has placed dozens of police cases will already know which of the ~90 UK mortgage lenders are worth approaching for your specific payslip shape — and which will simply reject or heavily shade your income before you've even applied.
What a genuinely experienced broker should be able to explain to you:
- • How your specific force pays overtime, and how that appears on a payslip vs a bank statement
- • Which lenders take 100% of rest-day working vs 50% vs 0%
- • Whether your probation status, PCDA/DHEP contract, or acting-up allowance needs an HR letter
- • How your pension contribution (13.44%+) affects the lender's monthly affordability stress test, separate from the gross income multiplier
B) Broker vs going direct to your own bank
Walking into your own current account provider only shows you one lender's product range and one lender's underwriting rules for overtime. A whole-of-market broker is regulated to search a much wider panel — often 70-90+ lenders — including specialist and building-society lenders that high-street banks' comparison tables never surface, several of which manually underwrite police payslips rather than relying on an automated scoring system that may auto-reject variable income.
• Often automated overtime scoring
• No fee, but no comparison either
• Good if your case is simple (base salary only, strong deposit)
• Knows which lenders manually underwrite police pay
• Often fee-free (paid via lender procuration fee)
• Better if overtime, probation, or allowances are a meaningful share of income
C) How broker fees actually work
Fee structures are set by the individual firm, not your profession — there is no "police rate." Always get this in writing before you agree to proceed.
| Model | How it works | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Fee-free | Broker is paid a procuration fee by the lender once your mortgage completes. | Confirm there's genuinely no "admin" or "application" fee hidden separately. |
| Flat fee | A fixed amount, typically £300–£500, usually payable on application or completion. | Ask if it's refundable if your application is declined through no fault of your own. |
| Percentage fee | A percentage of the loan amount, more common on complex or specialist cases. | Get the exact cash figure calculated up front, not just the percentage. |
⚠️ D) How to check a broker is actually regulated
Every firm and individual adviser legally allowed to arrange a regulated mortgage in the UK must appear on the Financial Conduct Authority's Financial Services Register. Before you hand over any personal or financial information:
1. Go to register.fca.org.uk and search the firm's name.
2. Confirm the permission includes "advising on and arranging regulated mortgage contracts."
3. Search the individual adviser's name and confirm they are listed as active against that firm.
4. Call the firm using the phone number listed on the FCA register — not a number given to you directly — to confirm the adviser works there.
E) Questions to ask before instructing a broker
F) Red flags to walk away from
- Pressure to sign or pay before any advice has actually been given.
- Any promise of a "guaranteed" approval before reviewing your full financial position.
- Reluctance or refusal to confirm FCA registration when asked directly.
- Fees that are vague, verbal only, or change after you've engaged.
We're building a vetted panel — register your interest
PolicePay.co.uk doesn't have live broker partners yet. Rather than lose your interest while we vet firms, you can register now — we'll prioritise contacting you the moment a genuinely vetted, FCA-registered, police-experienced broker joins.
Get Matched With a Police-Friendly Mortgage Broker
We're building a vetted network of brokers who actually understand police payslips — overtime, allowances, pension deductions and probation. Register your interest now and we'll introduce you the moment a match in your situation is ready. We will not share your details with anyone until then.
Honesty note: our broker network hasn't launched yet, so no introduction happens today. We're collecting interest so we can prioritise who to match first once vetted, police-friendly brokers join. You can ask us to delete your details at any time.
G) What this page cannot tell you
This page cannot tell you which specific broker to use, what rate you'll be offered, or whether any individual firm is right for your circumstances. It is general information to help you vet a broker yourself, not a recommendation, referral or regulated financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'police-friendly mortgage broker' actually mean?
It is not a regulatory category or a special product. It describes a broker who is experienced with police payslips: how overtime, allowances, London Weighting and rest-day working are evidenced, and which lenders will accept 100% of proven overtime rather than shading it by 50%. Any FCA-authorised whole-of-market broker can specialise in this, but experience varies significantly.
Do police-friendly brokers charge higher fees?
Not inherently. Broker fees depend on the individual firm's model, not on your profession. Some brokers are fee-free (paid by the lender via a procuration fee), others charge a flat fee (typically £300–£500) or a percentage of the loan. Always ask for the fee structure in writing before instructing anyone.
How do I check a mortgage broker is legitimate?
Search the firm and the individual adviser on the Financial Conduct Authority's Financial Services Register (register.fca.org.uk). Confirm the firm is authorised for 'advising on and arranging regulated mortgage contracts' and that the adviser's name is listed against that firm. Never proceed with a broker who cannot be found on the register.
Should I use a broker or go directly to my own bank?
Going direct only shows you that one lender's product range and underwriting criteria. A whole-of-market broker can compare dozens of lenders, including specialist lenders more likely to accept 100% of police overtime, and does not charge you extra for that comparison in most fee-free arrangements.
What should I ask a broker before instructing them?
Ask: are you whole-of-market or tied to a panel? Have you placed police officer cases before, and how did overtime/allowances get treated? What is your fee and when is it payable? What happens if my case is declined? Is there a fee if I don't proceed? A broker unwilling to answer clearly is a red flag.
Can a broker guarantee my mortgage will be approved?
No. No broker or adviser can guarantee approval before a full application and underwriting review. Be cautious of anyone who implies a guaranteed outcome before seeing your full financial position — this is a signal to seek a second opinion.
Is PolicePay.co.uk a mortgage broker?
No. PolicePay.co.uk is an independent information site. We are not authorised or regulated by the FCA to give mortgage advice, and we do not currently have live broker partners taking referrals. We are building a vetted introduction panel — see the registration section on this page for details.
What red flags should I watch for when choosing a broker?
Pressure to sign quickly, upfront fees before any advice is given, reluctance to disclose FCA registration, promises of guaranteed approval, refusal to put fees in writing, or a broker who cannot explain how different lenders treat police overtime differently.
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Legal Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent reference site and is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We do not provide mortgage advice, and we are not currently affiliated with any specific mortgage broker or lender. This page is general information only. Always verify any adviser's FCA registration yourself before proceeding.