Habito Review: An Honest Take on Their Digital Services

Sorting out a mortgage is never fun – especially for first time buyers. It’s often confusing, stressful, and full of endless paperwork.

Thankfully, times have changed.

Just like you can now order groceries or book holidays online, you can secure your mortgage online too.

No more long appointments or waiting weeks for updates.

Online mortgage brokers make the process faster, easier, and far less stressful.

But with so many options, it’s hard to know where to start. 

That’s probably why you’re here.

You’ve likely heard about Habito, a digital home-buying platform that goes beyond mortgages.

If you’re wondering whether Habito is the right fit for you, this review will break it all down—the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Let’s get started!

What is Habito?

Habito is an online mortgage broker on a mission to make mortgages less stressful and more transparent. 

Founded in 2016, their goal is simple: to help you find the best mortgage, without the jargon, the paperwork, or the stress.

They cater to a broad spectrum of clients, including first-time buyers, remortgage clients, buy-to-let investors, self-employed individuals, and those with complex financial situations.

Their team knows their stuff, too. Every advisor has solid qualifications like the CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice), so you can trust they’ve got the expertise to guide you.

How Does Habito Work?

Using Habito is as easy as putting the kettle on. 

It starts with creating an account online and filling in some basic personal and financial details. 

From there, a Habito mortgage expert takes the reins to help you find the right deal. This expert is there to guide you, answer questions, and handle all the paperwork.

The entire process—from figuring out how much you can borrow to getting a mortgage in principle—is handled online. 

You’ll begin by using the Habito mortgage calculator, which gives you an estimate of how much you can borrow based on your financial information. 

Once you have a clear picture, your assigned mortgage expert will work with you to find a suitable deal, all while keeping you informed through regular updates.

Here’s a closer look at how it all unfolds:

1. Create an Account. Head to the Habito website and sign up with some basic details about yourself and your finances.
2. Complete an Initial Application. Next, you’ll complete a short form, which takes about 10 minutes or more. This helps Habito figure out which deals suit you best.
3. Get a Mortgage in Principle. Within a day or two, they’ll give you a decision in principle, which shows how much you can borrow. This comes in handy when you’re ready to make an offer on a property.
4. Work with an Expert. You’ll be paired with a dedicated mortgage advisor who’ll hunt through over 20,000 mortgage options from 90+ lenders. They’ll help you pick the right one, answer any questions, and handle all the boring bits, like paperwork and negotiations.
5. Manage Everything Online. No need for a filing cabinet—just upload your documents online, and you’re good to go. It’s all designed to keep things simple and hassle-free.
6. Stay in the Loop. Whether it’s through live chat, phone, or email, you can easily reach your advisor. Plus, you can log in anytime to check your progress and see what’s happening next.
7. Submit Your Application. Once you’re happy with the deal, Habito sends off your application to the lender and keeps you updated until everything’s wrapped up.

All sorted? Now let’s talk about their services. 

All About Habito Services

Habito has something for every kind of buyer, making the home-owning journey simpler and less stressful.

Here’s what they offer:

• First time buyers Mortgages
• Remortgages
• Buy to let Mortgages
• Complex Mortgages
• Self-Employed Mortgages
• Bad Credit Mortgages

But they don’t stop there. Habito’s got extras to make life even easier:

• Habito Go. Want to stand out in a competitive market? This bridging loan service lets you act like a cash buyer, giving you an edge when bidding for a property.
• Habito Plus. A package deal that bundles up legal work and conveyancing to save you the headache of juggling multiple providers.
• Additional Services. Need insurance or a property survey? Habito’s got that covered too. They offer life and home insurance, along with legal services, to make the home-buying process as seamless as possible.

Whatever stage you’re at, Habito makes mortgages easy and stress-free.

How Much Does Habito Charge?

Here’s the great news: Habito’s standard mortgage brokering service is completely free. 

That’s right—no fees, no hidden charges. 

Instead of billing you, they earn a commission from lenders when you take out a mortgage through them.

Now, you might wonder: If they’re paid by lenders, how do I know they’ll get me the best deal? 

Simple.

Habito works with over 90 lenders and checks 20,000 mortgage options to find one that’s right for you—not the one that pays the most. 

They’re upfront and honest, so you can trust their advice.

If you’d like everything sorted in one go, there’s Habito Plus. This includes your mortgage, conveyancing, and property surveys in one package. 

It starts at £2,000, with most people paying about £2,400. You’ll pay £999 upfront when you apply, and the rest when everything’s sorted.

Is Habito Safe?

Absolutely, and here’s why you can trust them. 

Habito is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which means they’re held to strict standards for providing mortgage advice. 

This gives you access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), so your money is protected up to £85,000 if anything ever goes wrong.

They also take your privacy seriously, using secure technology to protect your data at every step. 

On top of that, Habito is fully transparent about their process, including how much commission they earn from lenders. You’ll always know exactly what’s happening and why.

What Do Their Customers Say?

If we take a look at Habito’s Trustpilot score, it’s pretty impressive: 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 9,500 reviews as of writing. 

Customers love the convenience of managing everything online, the prompt communication, and the knowledgeable advisors.

Habito’s website is designed for user-friendliness, featuring a clean layout and intuitive navigation. 

The mortgage application process is straightforward, guiding users through each step with clear instructions. 

Clients can complete the initial application in approximately 10 minutes. 

While they do not offer a dedicated mobile app, their website is fully optimised for mobile devices, allowing users to complete applications seamlessly on smartphones and tablets.

But, it’s not all roses. Some users have noted delays during busy times or struggled with getting personalised support when things got a bit more complicated. 

During peak times, communication delays have been reported, and occasional technical issues have caused inconvenience. 

But overall, most people are thrilled with how easy and smooth the process is compared to more traditional routes.

Habito also provides a wealth of educational materials to help users understand the mortgage process. 

Their website features guides, articles, and FAQs covering topics such as mortgage types, the home-buying process, and financial planning. 

These resources are designed to empower clients with knowledge, facilitating informed decision-making.

How Habito Compares to Other Mortgage Brokers

Habito makes getting a mortgage less stressful, offering a slick, fully online service that’s designed to fit around your life.

No meetings, no paperwork—just an easy way to find the best deal. 

And the best part? It’s free! 🎉

Here’s how it compares:

• Traditional mortgage brokers. Brokers like L&C mix online tools with face-to-face meetings. If you like chatting things out in person, that’s great. But if you’re after speed and flexibility, Habito’s fully digital service is a winner.
• Bank mortgage advisors. Banks can only offer their own mortgages. That means fewer options. Habito? It searches the whole market, so you’ll see a wider range of deals that fit what you need.
• Independent brokers. They offer detailed, personalised advice, especially for complex situations, but they often charge a fee and may require in-person meetings. With Habito, you skip the fees and the hassle—it’s all online and still offers whole-of-market access.
• Specialist brokers. Specialist brokers shine for unique cases like bad credit or buy-to-let mortgages. Habito doesn’t specialise in these, but its market search can still find solid options for unusual situations.

But, what about other online mortgage brokers like Mojo Mortgages, Better.co.uk, or Tembo Money?

Other online brokers have their strengths too. 

Mojo, for instance, focuses on live chat and personalised support, while Better.co.uk keeps things simple and free, much like Habito.

However, unlike Habito, Better.co.uk doesn’t have access to exclusive direct-only deals, which could limit your options. 

Tembo carves out a niche with family-assisted mortgages—perfect if you need help from Mum and Dad to boost your budget.

So what sets Habito apart? 

Habito isn’t just a mortgage broker—it’s a full-service home-buying partner. They don’t stop at finding you the best mortgage deal. 

They also offer unique add-ons, like Habito Go (to help you stand out as a buyer) and Habito Plus (which bundles your mortgage with legal services). Oh, and if your lender requires life insurance, Habito can help sort that too.

The best part? You can do it all online without stepping foot outside (unless it’s for a property viewing, of course). 

Just grab a coffee, check your to-do list, and let Habito sort the rest.

If you’re after a service that makes the home-buying process simple, quick, and stress-free, Habito is a top choice.

That said, comparing options never hurts – so it’s worth checking other options too. After all, landing the perfect deal is what really counts.

Who Should Use Habito?

Habito is perfect for anyone who wants to skip the traditional mortgage hunting. Here’s a breakdown of who’ll benefit the most from Habito’s services:

• First time buyers who want a stress-free home buying experience.
• Moving or Remortgagers who want to save time and money. Habito helps you compare deals, sort out legal stuff, and even get life insurance, all in one place.
• Anyone who values their time (or can’t stand the idea of endless calls and in-person meetings), Habito’s fully online platform offers the ultimate convenience.

In short, if you want a modern, hassle-free way to buy a home or remortgage, Habito’s the way to go.

The Pros and Cons of Using Habito

Here’s a quick look of their pros and cons to help you decide:

Pros

• Free mortgage brokering service.
• Access to over 20,000 deals from 90+ lenders.
• Fully online with expert advisors available when needed.
• Quick decisions in principle—sometimes within minutes.
• All-in-one home-buying service, including legal work, property surveys, and insurance, for a smoother process.

Cons

• May struggle with complicated financial situations.
• Not ideal if you prefer in-person meetings.
• Occasional delays in communication during busy times.

Key Takeaways

• Habito makes mortgages simple and stress-free. It’s a fully online service with no fees and a straightforward digital process. They’re FCA-approved and have an impressive 4.8/5 Trustpilot score from over 9,500 happy users
• If you’re a first time buyer, remortgaging, moving home, investing in property, or self-employed, Habito can help you.
• Services include Habito Go (bridging loans for competitive bidding) and Habito Plus (bundling mortgages with legal and survey services).

The Bottom Line: Is Habito Right for You?

If you’re someone who’d rather handle a mortgage without leaving the house and you want the widest range of products at your fingertips, Habito is well worth a shot. 

It’s easy, transparent, and offers an all-in-one home-buying service—including legal work, surveys, and insurance—which makes the entire process smoother and more convenient. 

Even better, the basic service is completely free.

For those with particularly complex needs or who prefer face-to-face advice, a traditional broker might still be worth considering.

Our Take: Habito gets a well-deserved 5 stars (★★★★★).

It combines convenience, a wide range of options, and extra services like legal and insurance support, making it a top pick for anyone looking to simplify their mortgage journey.

Ready to get started? Visit the Habito website and see how easy it can be to find your next mortgage.