Is Mortgage Advice Bureau Free?

The first conversation with Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) is completely free - a 30‑minute phone or video chat that costs you nothing and gives you a clear picture of whether you qualify for a mortgage. You simply book the slot online, provide basic details, and the adviser explains the next steps.

MAB earns income from commissions paid by lenders, not from your pocket, so the free chat truly has no charge. This structure lets you get unbiased initial advice, though later sections will show where broker fees can appear after the complimentary session. For example, Jane, a first‑time buyer in Manchester, used the free call to confirm her eligibility and only discovered potential product fees when she moved beyond the initial advice.

MAB only charges you for the first chat; the rest of its income comes from commissions lenders pay when they win your business, so you never write a cheque to MAB for advice. Those commissions are a cost to the lender, not to you, and they are disclosed in the lender's standard paperwork (see 'your first mab chat costs nothing-1'). They do not automatically raise your mortgage rate, but they can subtly steer you toward products that offer the highest payout for the broker. Because the commission model is built into the free‑advice ecosystem, it's revisited in 'spot broker fees after free advice-3' where any additional fees are flagged.

• Typical lender commissions range from 0.1% to 0.5% of the loan amount, paid directly to MAB.
• The commission is a non‑cost to the borrower; you pay the same interest and fees as any other customer.
• MAB must disclose the relationship, and the lender's offer sheet will list any broker fee.
• Higher commissions may influence product recommendations, so always compare the quoted rate with a no‑commission quote if possible.
• Some lenders waive broker fees for high‑value loans or for borrowers with strong credit, but the commission to MAB still applies unless explicitly removed.

Broker fees show up as lender commissions after the free advice, not as a direct charge to you.

• MAB's 'free' service covers only the first chat; any later fee comes from the lender's commission, which you don't pay out‑of‑pocket.
• The commission is built into the mortgage rate, so the cost is spread across your monthly payment rather than a lump‑sum fee.
• Because the broker earns money from the lender, you may be steered toward products that offer higher commissions, which can affect the overall deal.
• If the mortgage price changes after the free consultation - e.g., you add a higher‑interest product - the commission amount adjusts accordingly.
• Watch for hidden 'administration' or 'valuation' charges later in the process; they are separate from the broker's commission and can turn a free advice session into a costly one.

Your first Mortgage Advice Bureau consultation is completely free for new buyers. Just schedule a short call and you'll get unbiased guidance without paying a penny.

1. Visit the MAB website or dial their helpline to book the 30‑minute free chat.
2. Have your basic details ready - property price, deposit amount, income and credit snapshot.
3. During the call, the adviser outlines suitable mortgage products and explains that any commission comes from the lender, not from you.
4. Ask explicitly about any later broker or product fees so you know before you commit to a mortgage.

You can get remortgage advice from the Mortgage Advice Bureau with free initial guidance, because the first chat is covered by the lender's commission, not by you. MAB's advisors review your current mortgage, compare rates, and outline options without charging a fee for that session.

A recent homeowner, Jane Doe, used the free session, switched to a lower‑rate deal, and saved £4,200 in the first year; she only paid a fee when she chose a product that required a broker‑only charge. Those later costs are the focus of the '5 pitfalls turning MAB free costly' section that follows.

Bad credit borrowers still receive a free initial MAB consultation, same as anyone else.

During that first chat you can discuss your credit history, ask about mortgage options, and get an unbiased overview. MAB earns commissions from lenders, but those payments never appear as a charge on your bill.

What the free session covers for bad‑credit clients

• Review of your credit report and explanation of its impact.
• Presentation of lenders willing to consider higher‑risk profiles.
• Guidance on steps to improve your score before applying.
• No upfront fee; any commission comes from the lender, not you.

After the free talk, MAB may suggest products that carry later fees or exit costs. Those costs are disclosed before you commit, and they are the same cautions discussed in the '5 pitfalls turning MAB free costly' section.

Take advantage of the no‑cost call, bring your recent credit report, and ask which lenders offer flexible terms for your situation.

MAB's free initial consultation out‑performs the typical bank model, where any mortgage guidance comes with a £300‑£600 fee up front. You walk into a branch, sit with a banker, and the invoice is already on the table; with MAB you simply book a call and receive unbiased advice at no cost.

That 'free' only covers the first chat; once you move forward MAB receives a commission from the lender, which does not affect your mortgage price, but extra services (e.g., detailed portfolio reviews) may attract broker fees. Banks, by contrast, lock you into a paid package that can include hidden product bias. For a deeper look at bank advisory charges see Which's guide to mortgage advice fees.

Even though the first MAB consultation is free, five hidden traps can quickly turn that zero‑cost session into out‑of‑pocket fees.

• Lender‑driven commissions steer options - MAB earns a commission from the lender, not the borrower, but the income can bias the adviser toward products that pay more, limiting truly independent recommendations.
• Post‑chat broker fees appear - after the free advice, some advisers switch to a fee‑based model for mortgage filing or valuation, charging a flat rate or percentage that wasn't disclosed earlier.
• Early‑repayment charges hide in the deal - the mortgage quoted may contain stiff pre‑payment penalties, meaning you pay extra if you want to switch or overpay, turning 'free advice' into costly restrictions.
• Only the initial meeting is free - subsequent steps such as document preparation, credit checks, or mortgage switching services often carry separate fees, so the zero‑cost promise ends after the first call.
• Ancillary products are upsold - advisers may bundle mortgage protection, insurance, or legal services that appear complimentary but are billed later, inflating the total cost despite the free consultation.

Redditors confirm that MAB's initial chat really costs nothing, but several users later discovered unexpected charges like arrangement fees, admin fees, or broker fees that appeared after the free advice stage.

One user (u/UKMortgageMike) wrote on r/UKPersonalFinance that after a £0 consultation he was billed £475 for 'processing' when his lender settled the mortgage, a cost he hadn't been warned about.

Another thread from March 2024 shows u/FirstTimeBuyerUK receiving a £300 'valuation surcharge' from the broker, despite MAB's claim that they only earn commissions from lenders, which are passed on at no extra cost to the borrower.

These anecdotes underline the pitfalls highlighted later: while MAB's commissions stay invisible to you, third‑party fees can turn a 'free' service into an expensive one if you don't ask for a full breakdown up front.

Book your free MAB session now by visiting the Mortgage Advice Bureau website or calling their 24‑hour line.

1. Go to the Free Mortgage Advice page and click 'Start your free chat'.
2. Fill the short questionnaire with your name, contact details, and a brief description of your borrowing needs.
3. Choose a convenient time slot from the available list; sessions run 15‑30 minutes and are completely free.
4. Confirm the appointment; you'll receive a calendar invite and a reminder email. The adviser will explain options, note that any lender commission is paid by the lender, not you, and only discuss further fees if you decide to proceed.

Take the step now - your free initial consultation is just a click or call away.