More than a third of homebuyers using an estate agent recommended mortgage broker felt pressured to do so, according to new research.

Boon Brokers, an independent mortgage broker based in Norfolk and Suffolk, conducted a survey of almost 2,000 mortgage holders through a research agency.

The study found that a significant number of homebuyers are using mortgage brokers recommended to them by estate agents in the false belief that it will give them a better chance of securing the property they want, according to new research.

The research revealed that almost half – 44% – of homeowners who have used a mortgage broker used one recommended to them by or linked to an estate agent, with over a third of those – 37% – feeling pressured by the agent to do so.

Of those who took part in the survey, one in 12 mortgage holders, or 8%, believe that using an estate agent’s recommended broker will give them a better chance of securing the property they want, while one in 25 – 4% – said the agent openly implied that they would get preferential treatment if they were to do so. That figure rose to one in 10 in the 18 to 25 age category, suggesting first-time buyers in particular may be being targeted.

Some 74% of 18-25s who had used a mortgage broker admitted it was one linked to the estate agent.

The study revealed that on average people dealt with three different estate agents when buying their last property.

Boon Brokers was keen to point out that while it is legal for an estate agent to let customers know a service is available, they are not allowed to give any preferential treatment to those choosing to act on the recommendation.

Gerard Boon, founder and partner at Boon Brokers, said: “We regularly hear from homeowners who say they have felt pressured to use an estate agent’s mortgage broker and some have even been told it would help them get a better deal on the house they wanted, or that it would put them at the top of the list of potential buyers. Obviously, these practices are totally unacceptable and we would hope that most estate agents would be as horrified as us to hear these stories.

“Getting independent advice is always a good idea when making financial decisions – particularly one as big as getting a mortgage. But we advise that homebuyers should ensure that mortgage advice is truly independent from a broker who has whole of market access and who will not charge for advice. All brokers receive a procuration fee from a lender once a mortgage application has completed, so we believe that there is no need for additional fees to be charged to the client.”