Our aim

As independent mortgage advisors, our aim is to provide a quality client focused service.

We appreciate and understand that your mortgage is likely to be your largest financial commitment you will undertake.

Our role is to help you understand how a mortgage works and how control of the repayments is essential for prudent money management.

We are committed to giving the highest standard of service and customer care

We will seek to reduce the financial burden and where possible allow you to redeem your mortgage earlier. In addition, we seek to provide adequate protection for you and your family.

Throughout our association with you we are committed to giving the highest standard of service and customer care both before, during, and after your mortgage completes.

The Mortgage Code came into effect for intermediaries on 1st May 1998 and is a Voluntary Code to which our company subscribes. The Code sets minimum standards of good lending and advisory practice, which are to be followed by all lenders and mortgage intermediaries. I enclose a copy of a leaflet summarising the Code and explaining what you can expect from us.

We will review the market place to identify the most suitable mortgage product for you. We constantly review the mortgage market conditions to enable appropriate advice to be given. However, in certain instances where a limited range or a single product only is recommended (e.g. in conjunction with a builder/developer's special scheme) we will explain to you the reasons for doing so.

Under the terms of the Code there are three levels of service available. These are:

1. Full advice and recommendation;
2. Information on different types of mortgage products available to allow you to make a choice;
3. Information on a single product only, where no advice is given.

We offer a full advice and recommendation service in all cases in order that we can make an informed decision with you about the choice of your new mortgage.

We will also provide you with information relevant to your mortgage needs, covering such items as an explanation of the main repayment methods and the implications of taking a mortgage. A full list of information can be found in Section 3.2 of the Mortgage Code.

We will provide an explanation of the main relevant repayment methods available (for example capital and interest or interest only) but if you select a repayment option which includes a product that is regulated under the Financial Services Authority, we will put you in touch with an authorised financial adviser.

We will also provide you a copy of "Which Mortgage is suitable for you" which explains briefly some of the possible mortgage choices. It is important for you to ensure that any questions you have are answered before you proceed with your Mortgage/Re-Mortgage.

During our initial meeting, we will be completing a detailed mortgage/financial review questionnaire to enable appropriate advice to be given on your mortgage and other
related insurance products.

Once we have made our recommendations to you, we will confirm our advice in writing. You should keep this, as it will be an important record of our discussions.

Details of the loan will also be confirmed in your lender's formal offer.

Howard Taylor Associates may receive fees from lenders with whom we place mortgages. Where this occurs we will tell you the amount. We always source a mortgage to fit our clients requirements and not by any fees that the lender may pay us for introducing you to them.

In addition to the fees mentioned above, you may be charged a fee on completion of your mortgage. This payment is for the time researching the market plus the administration involved and submitting the application to the appropriate lender on your behalf and ensuring the transaction is completed to suit your requirement. The fee for carrying out this service will be agreed with you once your requirements are known.

We will treat all your personal information as private and confidential (even when you are no longer a customer) except where the law requires us to do so or where disclosure is made at your request or consent in relation to arranging your mortgage, for example when instructing a financial adviser or insurance specialist.

The Mortgage Code Compliance Board (MCCB) regulates the Mortgage Code to which this firm subscribes. As part of MCCB's duties, we may be asked to provide them with access to our customer records in order that they may carry out an audit of our activities. The MCCB's ability to inspect customer records promotes best practice in our industry and ensures that you continue to receive the best possible service from us.

If we disclose your personal information to the MCCB, the MCCB has agreed to only use it for the purpose of compliance with the Mortgage Code and not for any other reason. If you would not like us to disclose any of your personal information to the MCCB then please write to us informing us within 21days of today's date.

You have the right to inspect any documentation we hold in respect of our dealing with you, We will keep copies of your records only for the duration of the selected product(s) as suitable for your requirement. They will be kept confidential and in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act. Your contact details will be passed to an Independent Financial Adviser from Simply Independent to enable them to offer you a free Financial Review with no obligations. If you do not wish them to contact you please tick the box.

Our aim is to provide you with a first class professional and confidential service. Should a complaint arise, in the first instance you should contact our Mortgage Code Compliance Officer at our office address. Your letter will be acknowledged within 8 days, and we will then ask for the full details concerning your complaint, having received this we will give you an update to the progress of your complaint. If we have not resolved the matter to your satisfaction within 30 days of receiving your complaint, we will assist you in resolving it by referring it to the Mortgage Code Arbitration Scheme whose address can be found in the Mortgage Code Booklet.

We look forward to being of service to you and thank you for the opportunity to review your current situation.

Howard Taylor Associates remains committed to saving money for our clients and providing a quality service.

YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT.

September 2004