Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

Non-Advised Mortgage Sales Rise to 3.3% in 2025, FCA Data Shows

Recent data published by Mortgage Solutions reveals that non-advised mortgage sales increased from 2.6% in 2024 to 3.3% in 2025, according to the latest Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) figures. Over the same period, the proportion of mortgage sales conducted through intermediaries fell slightly from 84% to 83%.

The reported increase in non-advised sales comes during a year when the FCA removed the mortgage advice interaction trigger, a regulatory change that took effect in July 2025. This adjustment allows lenders to have greater interaction with customers without those interactions automatically being classified as advised processes.

The FCA rule change only applied for just over five months of the annual reporting period, so it is not possible to confirm with certainty that the regulatory update caused the rise in non-advised sales. However, the FCA has stated that the change was intended to allow easier interactions between firms and customers without immediately triggering advice.

The data highlights that every increase in execution-only mortgage business means more borrowers are making decisions without the protection of a suitability assessment. Under FCA rules, customers who have had interactive dialogue before proceeding to execution-only must confirm they understand the consequences of losing the protection provided by suitability rules.

This development is particularly relevant for first-time buyers, who may lack experience with mortgage products, lender criteria, and affordability considerations. The shift in the market may have implications for both consumers and professionals in the UK property sector, including letting agents and inventory clerks who monitor trends affecting property transactions.