Welcome to
UK Mortgage Prisoners

At UK Mortgage Prisoners, we are dedicated to fighting for mortgage reform, and fair treatment for trapped borrowers. Our support services are here to help those facing mortgage difficulties and prevent the threat of repossession.

Our Story

UK Mortgage Prisoners is a non-profit organization that aims to help those who are trapped in their mortgage deals. In October 2018, our Facebook group grew rapidly In response to the BBC Panorama documentary on mortgage prisoners, which highlighted the plight of thousands of homeowners who are unable to switch to new deals. The organization provides support and advice to those affected, as well as campaigning for changes to the mortgage market.

Join our Facebook group for mortgage prisoners and get support from others in the same situation.

Press Release, 7th November, 2024
Response to Bank of England rate cut.

UK Mortgage Prisoners Action Group welcomes a further cut to Base Rate which may be some small comfort to Mortgage Prisoners unfairly trapped on standard variable rates with non-lending debt collectors who should never have been permitted to administer residential mortgages.

Read in full

Who are mortgage prisoners?

Mortgage prisoners are individuals who are unable to switch mortgages to a better deal, even if they are up to date with their payments. Typically, these individuals have a mortgage in a closed book of an inactive firm, meaning that their mortgage is held with a lender that does not offer new favourable mortgage products. In many cases, the mortgages of these individuals have been sold on more than once, making it difficult for them to find a better deal. As a result, mortgage prisoners are often stuck paying higher interest rates than other borrowers who have a mortgage with an active lender.

We also regard as mortgage prisoners those interest only customers across both active and closed books who took out their mortgages before the 2008 Global Financial Crisis with no repayment vehicle and who have been unable to switch to a repayment mortgage due to regulatory change following the GFC, including to affordability criteria.

Why are there mortgage prisoners?

Many of these closed books were created when firms collapsed in or soon after the financial crisis of 2008. Government owned UK Asset Resolution (UKAR) took control of the mortgage books concerned and later sold them off to unregulated investment companies who have no lending licence. The homeowner has no control over the sale of their mortgage, within the terms and conditions of mortgages, and the mortgage can be sold on at any time without your consent. The administrators managing the closed book mortgages were then able to pass on their extortionate high rates to their trapped customers, whilst the UK’s active mortgage market was experiencing a decade of historic low rates.
In 2014 as part of the mortgage market review, regulators and lenders imposed more stringent criteria on borrowing to help prevent another financial crash. Many people were unable to meet the new conditions. They were unable to move to other deals, even if they would pay less by doing so.

"UK Mortgage Prisoners: Supporting Each Other"

"Discover a wide range of support available from UK Mortgage Prisoners"

HOPE

Home Ownership Protection Enterprise

HOPE, as part of UK Mortgage Prisoners, provides a dedicated support service to homeowners facing financial difficulties and the possibility of repossession. Their unique 'experts through experience' service is available to all homeowners in need of assistance.

UK Mortgage Prisoner Facebook Group

You are not alone

Join our private Facebook group for mortgage prisoners and connect with others who understand what you're going through. Get the support needed to navigate this difficult situation and find a way forward. You don't have to face this alone.

JOIN NOW

Mortgage Reform

Help support the campaign for fair mortgages for all

If you or someone you know is affected by the Mortgage Prisoner crisis, it's time to take action. Contact your MP today and urge them to support the campaign for mortgage reform. Together, we can put an end to this and help those who are trapped in unfair mortgage deals.

FIND OUT MORE

Harcus Parker

Group Litigation Claim

Harcus Parker is acting for individuals to reclaim the difference between the high interest they have paid on their mortgages and the interest they would have paid if the rate had been set by their lender at a lower ‘fair’ level. The amount of compensation due to homeowners who join the litigation could be significant. The litigation is free at the point of use. We are acting on a no-win, no-fee basis, and will pay any third-party costs which are necessary in order to progress the claims to trial.

Testimonials

The Word Is Out!

Introducing testimonials from mortgage prisoners who have received our support or used our HOPE mediation service.

We are proud to share the comments of those who have found help and resolution through our services. These are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team who strive to provide the best possible support to those in need. We hope that they inspire others to seek help and know that they are not alone in struggles.

‘UK Mortgage Prisoners through their HOPE service worked with me closely the whole way through the process. The support, and knowledge that they gave us was invaluable and I could not have done anything that we've done without them. It's such an important process to be followed. Such an important part of my life has been changed. Please can anyone help UK Mortgage Prisoners to become more well-known to other people and save homes and lives’

‘UK Mortgage Prisoners intervened and enabled me to communicate with my lender, I felt that I had somebody by my side understanding the problem and giving me hope. Hope was the biggest most valuable thing that I gained from UK Mortgage Prisoners and they delivered on every point and I hope and wish that they will be able to do the same for anyone else that uses their services. I really do genuinely owe my life to them, and it has changed my family's life forever’

Before discovering the Facebook group, I felt like I was the only one struggling with my mortgage for so long. It was a lonely and isolating experience. However, finding the group and being able to connect with others who understand has been a true lifeline. The relief of being able to chat and share experiences has been invaluable.

‘I am incredibly thankful for the access to those able to look at these issues in detail within the Lender business, and for their change of approach the HOPE service offers which has been a lifeline’

Welcome to UK Mortgage Prisoners