How do mortgages work?

There’s a lot to consider if you’re thinking about applying for a mortgage or have a mortgage already, so we’ve created some mortgage help pages to provide some support. We have a number of help pages relating to mortgages and you can also browse our How to Apply guide pages for queries relating to mortgage applications or the Existing Mortgage Customers section for help if you already have a mortgage with Yorkshire Building Society.

The A to Z of mortgages

How does a mortgage work? Take a look at our complete A to Z and discover the meaning of mortgage terminology From SVR and APRC to fixed, offset and remortgage. It’s easy to get lost in the jargon about mortgages and so our A to Z page will help you understand the definition of mortgage terms so you can arm yourself with the knowledge you need.

Our lending criteria

Find out how we decide who to lend to with this information and guidance on our mortgage lending criteria and read our guide on Understanding mortgage affordability for information on how your income and outgoings affect your application.

Mortgage valuations and surveys

A handy guide to what a mortgage valuation entails and why it's necessary for your application. You may also want to opt for a survey of the property so we've included information on your options here too.

Your mortgage payments

Paying for a mortgage is a big financial commitment, so it's important to have all the information relating to any mortgage payments. You can use our guide to find out more about what makes up your mortgage payment as well as information on overpayments, taking a payment holiday and what to do if you find you are unable to pay your mortgage.

Mortgage fees, charges & other costs

We've broken down the various fees & charges for both mortgage applications and for making changes to an existing mortgage. We've also included information on administration fees and some costs associated with moving home.