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Firefighter mortgages

Fire service workers could secure a lower mortgage deal by finding an exclusive fire service mortgage!


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If you’re a fireman or firewoman, you’re one of just over 30,000 valued workers who risk their lives for others’ safety and well-being. At Public Sector Mortgages, we believe this deserves rewarding – and we aim to do just that by helping you find the best fire service mortgage deals.

In this fire service mortgage guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about fire service mortgages. We’ll answer the most asked questions and discuss some of the challenges facing members of the fire service.

Specifically, we’ll cover:

  • FAQs about fire service mortgages
  • Common issues facing firemen and firewomen seeking a mortgage
  • A how-to guide on mortgages for fire service workers
  • Further sources for mortgage seekers
  • The benefits of using specialist fire service mortgage advice
     

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What mortgages are available to fire service workers?

Men and women working for the UK’s fire service can choose from an array of mortgage types and different home loan products on the standard mortgage market. These can be found at high-street banks, online banks and building societies. 

However, qualifying fire service workers might be able to unlock mortgage deals that offer better terms for individuals still employed within the fire service. These standard mortgage products have become known as fire service mortgages due to their exclusive benefits.

Image showing two firefighters looking at a tablet together

Can firemen and firewomen get a mortgage discount?

Yes, it’s possible for people employed within the fire service to be offered an exclusive mortgage discount or benefit that isn’t available to home buyers working outside of the fire department.

The exact discount or benefit can differ between lenders and is subject to change. For example, as a fire service worker, you might be offered a mortgage with a discounted interest rate. Or you could be offered another mortgage perk, such as financial support to help with conveyancing costs or pre-purchase building inspection.

Who qualifies for typical fire service mortgage discounts?

There are several job roles and positions within a UK fire department. Lenders that do offer fire service mortgages can have strict eligibility criteria that restrict some types of fire service staff from getting the exclusive mortgage benefit.

It may be possible to get a discounted fire service mortgage if you work as a:

  1. Fireman/Firewoman
  2. Rescue technician or any other specialising role
  3. Fire service apprentices
  4. Part-time or on-call fire worker
  5. Administration worker in the fire service

The best fire service mortgage brokers will search the market for the home loans that you can apply for.

How much could a member of the fire service borrow?

Some key workers could secure a mortgage that allows them to borrow up to 6 times their annual salary, including some fire service workers.

The exact amount you can borrow on a fire service mortgage will hinge on personal circumstances (including income, essential expenses and existing debts), as well as the lender.

To discuss your mortgage borrowing power and how it could be improved, you can speak with a trained mortgage adviser who will explain how it is calculated. Public Sector Mortgages can assist you in uncovering your potential borrowing power.

What schemes are available for fire service workers?

At the time of publication, there are no mortgage schemes which are exclusively available to fire service workers. There are schemes that fire service workers could use in conjunction with a fire service mortgage to help them get the best deal.

Some examples of schemes you may want to consider are:

  1. Help to Buy - this scheme could help you buy your first home with just a 5% deposit and an interest-free loan from the government. Terms, conditions and restrictions do apply
  2. Shared Ownership - this is an option for people who wish to buy a share of a property due to an insufficient property deposit. More of the property can be purchased over time
  3. Right to Buy – this is an option for fire service workers living in a council home and wish to purchase the property from the council

All of the above schemes can be discussed with a Public Sector Mortgage broker.

Potential mortgage challenges facing fire service workers

Mortgage applications can be full of twists and turns. Every individual can face unique challenges regarding their personal circumstances, which is why having a mortgage adviser on side can be so reassuring. Mortgage advisers can even pre-empt challenges and provide solutions before the problem arises.

Some of the common issues that firefighters may face – but not exclusively – include temporary contracts, working part-time, income complexity due to shift work patterns and absences from work. We elaborate on these below.

Probation or training periods

Joining the fire service usually requires a probation or training period. During this time, you won’t be classified as a permanent employee in the eyes of lenders until the training has been completed successfully. This can create a challenge for new recruits wanting a mortgage. Yet, there are still fire service mortgage options that are available to new firemen and firewomen. A mortgage broker can help you cut through the noise to find them.

On-call fire staff

Some firefighters work on an on-call basis, possibly only during emergency situations. This means income can fluctuate each month depending on the hours worked. An unstable income can be a problem for some lenders and they might not accept it when calculating your borrowing capacity. However, there may be some lenders who will consider your predicted income from shift work. It’s important to understand which lenders do and don’t accept this type of income from the outset of your mortgage search.

Periods of absence from work

Firefighters have a physically and mentally challenging job. Some firefighters may need to request time off work due to injury or to deal with any mental issues resulting from a rescue event. Firefighter mortgage brokers can help applicants when they have taken time off in the recent past, and they can locate the lenders who recognise these periods of absence for what they really are.

Image showing a gingerbread man made to look like a firefighter

A how-to guide for FTB in the fire service

We’ve put together this mini guide to help first-time buyers working in the fire service. Read the steps below to understand the mortgage process, and speak with an adviser if you have any further questions.

Before you apply for a fire service mortgage

A successful mortgage journey starts before you search for a mortgage. You should get prepared for the buying process by working on your credit and credit score. There could be things you can do to manage existing debts and improve your credit rating.

Unfortunately, the internet has some misleading or incorrect information. Ensure you’re making the right steps to improve your mortgage chances by speaking with a trained professional.

Searching for a fire service mortgage

Mortgages that provide discounts and benefits to fire service workers aren’t always explicitly advertised, which makes them harder to find. You will need to put the research time in to find these home loans. It can potentially be much quicker to enlist the services of a mortgage adviser at this stage if you haven’t already, preferably one that is experienced in helping fire service professionals.

Fire service mortgage pre-approval

Once you and your broker have found a firefighter mortgage that you’re eligible for, it’s time to get pre-approval. This is a decision in principle that tells you how much you’re able to borrow. The amount you’re approved for will inform your property search, which is why a mortgage pre-approval is highly recommended.

Further resources for fire service workers

You can learn more about mortgages and the process of buying property at Money Helper. This is a UK Government website designed to help UK residents understand complicated finance topics. The content on the website has been written to simplify popular finance topics without leaving out important information.

Further information on the home-buying schemes available to firefighters can be found below:

Image showing a firewoman holding her helmet in front of a fire truck

The benefits of fire service mortgage broker services

It’s possible to search for fire service mortgages yourself and make an application independently. Yet, there can be several benefits if you use an experienced fire service mortgage broker.

The main benefits are:

  • An adviser who already understands common challenges facing firefighters in the mortgage market
  • An adviser who already knows the current mortgage market, and specifically which lenders offer discounts to fire service workers
  • An adviser who can assist in overcoming those common challenges to secure a firefighter mortgage
  • Process efficiency and potentially a smoother process with less stress
  • Genuine potential for a better mortgage outcome

Always research before you choose a mortgage adviser. We welcome you to discuss your situation with our fire service mortgage brokers.

Our fire service mortgage broker services

Public Sector Mortgages is dedicated to helping exclusive groups get the mortgage they deserve. We are especially proud to help UK fire service workers find the best mortgage deal for them and make the whole process easier.

To discuss our firefighter mortgage broker service in further detail, don’t hesitate to call our team today.

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