A mortgage brief built around your property
An Islington mortgage brief should bring the household and the property together. Whether you are considering a conversion flat, moving into a house or refinancing an existing home, Jack can help identify the questions behind the proposed borrowing. Start with the budget, the property and how your income is evidenced rather than a general lending rule.
A conversion flat needs a building-level view
Find out how the flats share repair, insurance and management responsibilities. A small building may have informal-looking arrangements, but the legal obligations still need to be checked. Ask the conveyancer for the lease and relevant records, including information about the original conversion and later alterations. The survey and management documents should help identify questions about the roof, external fabric and common areas.
Check an extension or alteration at the exact address
If the attraction is the potential to extend, change windows or alter the layout, investigate that separately from the purchase. Islington’s conservation-area and planning resources can help identify what should be checked. A neighbouring property having completed similar work does not establish permission for the home you are buying. Obtain the relevant professional advice before committing to a works budget.
Keep employment and business changes visible
A new role, parental leave, contracting arrangement or self-employed trading change can affect how income should be explained. Provide the dates and documents rather than assuming an old borrowing estimate still applies. For a director, distinguish business funds from the personal cash proposed for the purchase, and retain a realistic reserve for ongoing commitments.
For a move, join the two property timetables
Identify when the existing mortgage ends, what the sale needs to achieve and how much equity may remain after redemption and costs. Record the new purchase deadline and where the plan depends on another party. Discuss any proposed porting or refinance against the actual terms at the time; it should not be treated as automatic.
What to prepare for the first conversation
- Property listing, tenure, lease and shared-repair information
- Conversion or alteration documents already available
- Current and expected income circumstances, with dates
- Existing mortgage, sale position and intended price deposit
An illustrative local borrowing brief
£650k mortgage for an Islington conversion flat
A fictional £900k Islington flat purchase with a £650k loan proposal, considering shared repairs, the lease and conversion documents.
Read the property and loan brief ↗Your questions, answered
Does share of freehold remove the need to check a flat’s lease?
No. Ask your conveyancer to review the actual lease, title and management arrangements. The description alone does not explain the remaining term, repair obligations or the property’s suitability for a mortgage.
Can you help with self-employed income for an Islington purchase?
That can be discussed. Start with your trading history, income evidence, ownership structure where relevant and the household budget. The documents and current lending options need individual review.
Working with Jack from this part of London
Jack is based in London and initial appointments can begin by phone or video. This page describes an area served, not a separate branch office. Mortgage and protection advice is provided through Mortgage Force (UK) Ltd. Fees and the scope of the service are explained before you proceed. An initial discussion is not a mortgage offer.
Local and independent starting points
Sources checked 10 November 2026. Use the exact property address and obtain the appropriate professional assessment.
Prepared for Jack Cousins, Head of Mortgages at Lockhart Murphy. Updated 10 November 2026.
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