RBS mortgage customer ratings
The table below shows how RBS performed in our latest mortgage satisfaction survey, from application process to value for money.
| Customer rating for: | Star rating |
|---|---|
| Customer service | |
| Application process | |
| Value for money | |
| Keeping you well informed | |
| Clarity of statements | |
| Transparency of charges | |
| Query and complaint handling | |
| Ability to overpay or underpay mortgage | |
| Online access | |
Star ratings based on a June 2018 Which? survey of 3,560 members of the general public, in which 117 people told us they had their mortgage with RBS. Where no rating is given the sample size was too small.
What kinds of mortgages does RBS offer?
When we checked in July 2018, there were around 130 mortgages available from RBS. Most of these were fixed-rate deals lasting two or five years, though there were a small number of two-year tracker deals, too.
RBS also offers an ‘Offset Flexible Mortgage’ where you can link your mortgage to your savings and current accounts. The amount in these accounts is then deducted from the mortgage balance you pay interest on.
Does RBS offer interest-only mortgages?
Yes, although you’ll need to have an income of at least £75,000 to be eligible.
Does RBS offer the best mortgage deals?
Which? analysis has found that RBS offers far fewer cheap mortgages than the average lender.
In order to work this out, our experts analysed thousands of mortgages over a four-week period in June and July 2018. They compiled a total of 108 ‘top-10 cheapest deal’ tables based on a variety of borrowing scenarios, and counted how many times each lender featured in a table.
The average number of times a lender made it into a table was 14, but RBS didn’t feature at all. (Data source: Moneyfacts.)
Interest rates on RBS mortgages
While the lender doesn't offer the cheapest deals on the market, the average interest rate of 2.43% on a two-year fixed-rate mortgage from RBS was still better than the industry average of 2.81%.
The variable interest rate on RBS's offset mortgage was relatively high when we checked in July 2018, standing at 4%.
How much could I borrow from RBS?
Below we’ve outlined how much you could borrow from RBS in relation to the percentage of the property’s value.
| Maximum loan | Loan-to-value |
|---|---|
| £570,000 | 95% (subject to criteria) |
| £550,000 | 90% |
| £1,000,000 | 85% |
| Over £1,000,000 | 75% |
Can I make overpayments?
If you’re paying the standard variable rate of interest on an RBS mortgage, you can make as many overpayments as you like, without any restrictions.
If you’re on a fixed or tracker mortgage deal, you might have to pay an early repayment charge if you want to overpay more than 10% of your current mortgage balance.
How can I contact RBS?
New mortgage customers should call 0800 056 3220. For existing mortgage customers, it's 0800 056 0567.
Its website is rbs.co.uk.
RBS mortgage eligibility
RBS says that every mortgage application is reviewed by an individual, so each case is assessed on its merits.
For example, if you’ve been bankrupt or had a property repossessed, this could affect whether RBS accepts your mortgage application. However, depending on how much time has passed since these events took place, why your property was repossessed and your other financial circumstances, you might still be able to borrow.
Leasehold properties
If you’re applying for a mortgage on a leasehold property, there must be at least 30 years left on the lease at the end of the mortgage.
Buy-to-let mortgages
To be eligible for a buy-to-let mortgage from RBS, your total annual income must be at least £25,000. You’ll also need a deposit of at least 25% of the property’s value, or 35% for a new-build property.
RBS can offer buy-to-let mortgages to customers who have up to 10 buy-to-let properties in their portfolio (including the property that you’re applying for a mortgage on).
How could RBS help me onto the property ladder?
RBS offers 95% mortgages of up to £570,000 to first-time buyers and homemovers, as well as those buying a second home (except for new-build properties).
You’re considered a first-time buyer by RBS if you’ve never owned land or property in the UK before.
If you’re applying for a first-time buyer mortgage with another person, only one of you needs to be a first-time buyer to qualify.
If a family member is going to lend or gift you money towards your deposit, RBS will let them secure a second charge against the property. This means that, if your house was repossessed, the family member would get their money back if there was any remaining once RBS had claimed its share.
