Return to the Mortgage Glossary Home to view explanations for all mortgage terms. What follows is the definition for the term Mortgage as it relates to mortgages in the UK. Mortgage A mortgage is a particular type of loan that is used to purchase (and is secured against) a property. Mortgages typically are repaid over 25 years and come in a variety of types, which you can read more about on this site. Because a mortgage is secured against your home, this means that your home is at risk if you do keep up the repayments Previous 10 terms < Local Search < Legal Fees < Leasehold < Joint Tenants < Interest Only Mortgages < Individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) < Income Multiples < Higher Early Redemption Fee < Guarantor < Ground Rent Next 10 terms Mortgage Indemnity Premium  > Mortgage Offer  > Mortgage Protection Policy  > Negative Equity  > Portable Mortgages  > Principal  > Redemption Penalty  > Repayment Mortgages  > Self Certification  > Self-employed  >