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 how each lender's current rules treat overtime, rest-day working and location allowances: on lenders' own criteria pages read on 1 October 2026, regular overtime counted at anywhere from 50% to 100%.
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 police cases before should know which lenders' current rules suit your payslip shape, for example who counts more of a regular overtime average, who counts London Weighting in full, and who wants 6 or 12 months in employment.
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
- • How each lender counts overtime and rest-day working (published rules we read ranged from 50% to 100% of a recent average), and why
- • Whether your probation status, PCDA/DHEP contract, or acting-up allowance needs an HR letter
- • How your pension contribution (12.88% to 14.22% from 1 April 2026, depending on pensionable pay) 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 rules for overtime. MoneyHelper notes that lender-employed advisers usually recommend only their own products, while brokers cover many lenders; "whole of market" brokers offer a wider range, though they might not cover everything. Ask any broker how many lenders it searches and whether that includes building societies and specialist lenders.
• You can still read its published criteria
• No fee, but no comparison either
• Good if your case is simple (base salary only, strong deposit)
• Should know how each lender treats 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". MoneyHelper says you must be told how an adviser is paid before you go ahead, and that a fee added to the loan accrues interest. Get it 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 set by the firm, payable at a stage it tells you (for example on application or completion). We could not verify a typical figure. | Ask if it's refundable if your application is declined through no fault of your own. |
| Percentage fee | A percentage of the loan amount. | Get the exact cash figure calculated up front, not just the percentage. |
⚠️ D) How to check a broker is actually regulated
Every firm allowed to advise on or arrange a regulated mortgage in the UK appears on the Financial Conduct Authority's Financial Services Register, either as an authorised firm or as an appointed representative of one. Before you hand over any personal or financial information:
1. Use the FCA Firm Checker or go to register.fca.org.uk and search the firm's name. "Registered" is not the same as "authorised": the FCA says using an unauthorised firm means no access to the Financial Ombudsman or FSCS.
2. Confirm the permission includes "advising on and arranging regulated mortgage contracts."
3. Search the individual adviser's name and check whether they are listed against that firm; if not, ask the firm why.
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 how each lender's current rules treat them. On lenders' own criteria pages we read on 1 October 2026, regular overtime counted at anywhere from 50% to 100%. Any FCA-authorised adviser can build this experience, but it varies.
Do police-friendly brokers charge higher fees?
Not inherently. Broker fees depend on the individual firm's model, not on your profession. MoneyHelper says advisers may charge a flat fee, an hourly fee or a percentage of the loan, or no fee if they are paid commission by the lender, and that you must be told how the adviser is paid before you go ahead. We could not verify a typical fee figure from an official source, so we do not give one. Get the fee in writing.
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. MoneyHelper notes that a lender's own advisers usually recommend only its products, while brokers cover many lenders; 'whole of market' brokers offer a wider range but may not cover everything. Because lenders count overtime and allowances differently, comparing several lenders' rules can matter more for police payslips than for basic-pay-only cases.
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. Also check the contact details match the FCA register: the FCA warns about clone firms.
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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.