B

Base Rate

Every month the Monetary Policy Committee sets the Bank of England Base Rate, to which all mortgage rates are linked either directly, as Tracker mortgages, or indirectly, in all other cases.

Booking Fee

This fee may be charged for specific products and is either payable in advance, added to the loan or deducted from the advance on completion. It is normally payable in order to reserve funds when a product is likely to sell out quickly.

Buildings and Contents Insurance

This insurance covers damage to the mortgaged property and/or its contents in a variety of specified scenarios. It is compulsory for all Lenders, and if the Lender's own insurance is not taken they will often charge an administration fee. Some lenders attach mandatory insurance cover to their most attractive rates, although this is increasingly uncommon.

Buy-to-Let Mortgage (BTL)

This is a mortgage for a property that will be let by the borrower to other tenants. When Lenders calculate how large a loan the borrower can afford to repay on BTL they do so primarily on the basis of projected rental income, rather than salary income multiples.