Whether you're an existing customer or first-time buyer, compare the best interest rates from Kensington Mortgages with our comparison tool below. To see what rate you could be offered, create a free Tembo plan.
When you create a Tembo plan, you'll get a free, downloadable Mortgage In Principle for each of your eligible schemes.
Create your own personalised Tembo plan to see all the ways you could remortgage, including if you should stay with Kensington Mortgages or make the switch to another provider.
Kensington Mortgages does things a little different, as all their mortgages are specially arranged through approved mortgage advisers like our team at Tembo. This means that while they don't offer the most competitive rates, Kensington excells in offering specialist deals for applicants who can't get a mortgage elsewhere. They are known for offering mortgages to self-employed people, and those with multiple income sources who may struggle to be approved by another lender. They also offer Blue Light, Key Worker and NHS mortgages, as well as new build mortgages. There's also their version of a green mortgage - their eKo Cashback mortgage - for those sustainably-minded.
It's worth knowing that Kensington Mortgages is an intermediary-only lender. This means you cannot apply for a mortgage with them directly. Instead, you'll need to get a mortgage broker like us to apply for you.
Like most mortgage lenders, Kensington Mortgages offers a range of mortgage products with different eligibility criteria. How much you could borrow for a mortgage depends on which products you're eligible for, your household income and deposit, and other factors like your credit score, employment type, and outgoings. As a rough guide, you can typically borrow between 4-4.5 times your income, although some applicants may be able to borrow more than this. For example, with their Hero or Professionals mortgages you could borrow up to 5 or 6 times your income.
By creating a free Tembo plan, you can see what you could be offered for a mortgage by Kensington Mortgages and other providers without applying.
If you currently have a Kensington Mortgages loan you may be able to make overpayments on your mortgage, but there are specific conditions attached. There may be a minimum or maximum amount set that you can overpay by each year, and you might have to pay an Early Repayment Charge (ERC).
Andy Shead
Senior Mortgage Advisor at Tembo
Kensington Mortgages is a specialist lender, which means they cater to borrowers who don't meet the lending criteria for more mainstream providers. They have a good reputation, having on awards like the Best Online Mortgage Provider by MoneyFacts 2019-2023, and the Best Specialist Lender at the What Mortgage Awards for the last four years.
But when it comes to reviews, it's a bit of a mixed bag. On Trustpilot, they are rated 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 4,000 reviews, giving them an 'Excellent' rating. However, they were rated poorly for customer service by Which? and was the joint lowest lender out of those they accessed in their annual mortgage lender review.
As with any lender, whether Kensington Mortgages is the right mortgage lender for you depends on your affordability and individual circumstances, what mortgage products you're eligible for, and what the market is currently like. An expert mortgage broker like Tembo can help you navigate these factors to ensure you get the best specialist mortgage deal for you.
Kensington Mortgages does not offer guarantor mortgages, but they do offer specialist schemes open to first-time buyers trying to buy. This includes higher borrowing schemes for professionals or key workers, self-employed mortgages and solutions for those with complex credit history. Whether their products are right for you depends on your individual affordability, if you need help getting on the ladder as well as what mortgage products you qualify for.
Working with a mortgage advisor can help you navigate lenders' different eligibility criteria and find the best deal for you from Kensington Mortgages and other lenders on the market.
Unsure which mortgage deal to go for? Buying your first home can be confusing and overwhelming. Get help from the experts.
Coming to the end of your current deal? Remortgage onto a new one with our help. We'll show you whether you should stay with the same lender, or switch.
Upsizing to your forever home? Or maybe you're downsizing to something more manageable. Whatever your reason for moving, we can help you find the best deal for you.
Thinking of becoming a landlord? We can help you discover the best buy to let mortgage deal for you and how you could boost your mortgage affordability.
Whether it's first-time buyers, home movers or remortgagers - our expert team has been trusted by thousands to make home happen.
4 simple steps to buying your first home or remortgaging
Check your eligibility for a range of mortgages and buying schemes, and get a personalised recommendation with interest rates and repayments in under 10-minutes.
Book a call with our experts to complete the qualification process, and we’ll cover off any questions you might have about any of the mortgage deals and budget-boosting schemes we advise on.
Next, your dedicated advisor will undertake full affordability checks to prepare the mortgage application. Then we’ll submit it on your behalf!
Your Tembo advisor will be on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly, so you can move onto your new deal as quickly as possible.