Choosing between Aldermore and Kensington for your mortgage? Both are major UK lenders with competitive products. This guide compares their rates, eligibility criteria, fees, and who each lender suits best.
- Benchmark total cost over the fixed period — rate plus fees, not headline rate alone
- Loan-to-value bands (95/90/85/80/75%) drive pricing — check the nearest band boundary
- Get a soft-search decision in principle first — it costs nothing and reveals problems early
- Start remortgage shopping 6 months before your fix ends — you can lock now and switch if rates fall
The Details That Decide Outcomes
Get your decision in principle before falling in love with a property. It's a soft-search estimate of your borrowing power that strengthens any offer you make, and it surfaces problems months before they can derail a purchase.
New-build purchases carry extra moving parts: developer deadlines (typically a 28-day exchange requirement), incentives that lenders may deduct from the valuation, and the need for extended offer validity. Tell your broker it's new-build on day one.
Aldermore vs Kensington: Head-to-Head
| Lender | 2-Year Fix | 5-Year Fix | Max LTV | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldermore | 4.50% (2yr) | 4.24% (5yr) | Up to 95% | No fee options |
| Kensington | 4.57% (2yr) | 4.22% (5yr) | Up to 90% | Fee-free available |
Who Should Choose Aldermore?
- Borrowers who want a well-known high-street lender
- Those looking for 95% LTV mortgages
- Existing Aldermore current account holders (may get preferential rates)
- First-time buyers using government schemes
Who Should Choose Kensington?
- Those with a larger deposit (20%+) seeking competitive rates
- Borrowers who value an established reputation
- Remortgage customers looking for fee-free products
- Buy-to-let investors (check current BTL availability)
Our Verdict
The best lender between Aldermore and Kensington depends entirely on your circumstances: deposit size, property type, income structure, and whether you value rate or fee savings. The only way to know which is truly cheaper is to compare your specific mortgage using a whole-of-market broker who can access both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will applying for a mortgage hurt my credit score?
A decision in principle usually uses a soft check, which doesn't affect your score. The full application is a hard check — so avoid multiple full applications in quick succession.
What happens when my fixed rate ends?
You move to the lender's standard variable rate, which is almost always worse value. Start remortgage shopping 6 months before the end date.
How long does a mortgage offer last?
Typically 3 to 6 months depending on the lender. New-build purchases often get extended validity because completion dates slip.
What fees should I budget for beyond the deposit?
Expect roughly £2,000–£4,000 covering valuation, legal work, searches and any lender arrangement fee. First-time buyers get stamp duty relief on lower-priced homes.
Do I need a mortgage broker?
It's optional, yet a whole-of-market broker sees deals that never appear on comparison sites, and knows which underwriters accept your income type. For non-standard income it usually pays for itself.
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