Partms.co.uk Review

Based on looking at the website, Partms.co.uk presents itself as Partridge Mortgage Services, aiming to assist customers with their mortgage journey. However, a strict ethical review from an Islamic perspective highlights significant concerns, primarily due to its involvement in interest-based mortgage products, which are considered Riba (usury) and are strictly forbidden in Islam.

Overall Review Summary:

Website Focus: Mortgage brokerage services.
Key Services: Free mortgage assessment, assistance with home purchases, remortgaging, and deposit unlock schemes.
Ethical Compliance (Islamic Perspective): Fails to comply due to reliance on interest-based financial products.
Transparency: Provides contact information and some details about services.
Accessibility: Offers document upload and 7-day-a-week communication for housebuilders.
User Experience: Website appears functional and straightforward.
Recommendation: Not recommended for Muslims due to the inherent Riba in conventional mortgage products.

Partms.co.uk positions itself as a service that provides “the best advice, finding the best mortgage rates based on your circumstances.” While this might sound appealing from a conventional financial standpoint, for a Muslim audience, this immediately raises a red flag. The core business revolves around mortgages, which, by definition, involve interest payments. In Islam, engaging in Riba, whether as a borrower or a lender, is a major sin with severe spiritual ramifications. Therefore, despite any perceived convenience or competitive rates, a service built upon interest-based transactions cannot be endorsed. The website does not mention or offer any Sharia-compliant financial products, which would be the only acceptable alternative for Muslims seeking home financing.

Here are some ethical and permissible alternatives for home ownership and financial planning that align with Islamic principles:

Al Rayan Bank Home Purchase Plan: A leading Islamic bank in the UK offering Sharia-compliant home financing, operating on principles like Ijara (lease-to-own) or Murabaha (cost-plus financing), avoiding interest.
Gatehouse Bank Home Purchase Plan: Another prominent Islamic bank in the UK providing Sharia-compliant property finance solutions, focusing on ethical and interest-free transactions.
Wahed Invest: An ethical investment platform that offers Sharia-compliant investment portfolios, which could be used to save for a deposit for a home purchase without engaging in interest-based savings accounts.
Saving for a Deposit: Focus on diligent, interest-free saving strategies. This might involve setting up a dedicated savings account that does not accrue interest or investing in Sharia-compliant funds.
Budgeting and Financial Planning Tools: Utilising robust budgeting software or traditional methods to manage income and expenses effectively, enabling faster debt-free saving for a property.
Property Investment Courses (Halal): Educating oneself on Sharia-compliant property investment methods, such as direct cash purchases or partnerships, to avoid conventional mortgages.
Ethical Financial Advisers (Independent): Seeking advice from independent financial advisers who specialise in ethical or Islamic finance, ensuring any financial decisions are compliant with one’s faith.

Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.

IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.

Table of Contents

Partms.co.uk Review & First Look: A Deeper Dive into a Conventional Mortgage Broker

When you first land on Partms.co.uk, you’re greeted with a professional, albeit conventional, website design. The focus is clearly on mortgage services, presented through the lens of “Steve Partridge” and his team’s commitment to “Five Star Service.” They aim to “deliver the very best advice, finding the best mortgage rates based on your circumstances.” While the presentation is slick and user-friendly, the underlying service — facilitating conventional mortgages — is the core issue for anyone adhering to Islamic financial principles. The site immediately offers a “FREE mortgage assessment,” inviting potential customers into a system that, from an Islamic standpoint, is built upon forbidden interest (Riba).

The Homepage Promise: What Partms.co.uk Advertises

The homepage highlights several key propositions:

Personal Service: Emphasised by Steve Partridge’s introduction, focusing on a personalised journey for customers.
Five Star Service Aim: A stated goal to provide the highest levels of service as specialist mortgage brokers.
Communication: Availability seven days a week, fostering strong relationships with housebuilders.
Document Upload: A feature for speeding up applications by secure submission of documents.

These features are standard for a conventional mortgage broker. They indicate an attempt to provide efficiency and customer support. However, no mention is made of alternative, Sharia-compliant financial solutions, which would be a crucial offering for a diverse UK population, including a significant Muslim community seeking ethical financing. This absence confirms that the service operates purely within the interest-based financial paradigm.

Initial Impressions on Trust and Transparency

From a general perspective, the website appears to offer a decent level of transparency regarding its services. It clearly states what it does (mortgage brokering) and who it serves (homebuyers and housebuilders). The presence of “Contact Us” links and specific sections for “Buying a Home,” “Deposit Unlock,” and “Remortgage” provides clear pathways for user engagement. However, the lack of any explicit regulatory information easily visible on the homepage (like FCA registration details, though usually found in the footer or ‘About Us’ section) might require a user to dig a little deeper to confirm their credentials, which is a minor point but worth noting for immediate trust signals. For instance, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) states that “firms must be clear, fair and not misleading” in their communications. While Partms.co.uk is clear, it’s operating in a regulated space where full transparency of regulatory status is paramount.

Understanding the Riba Issue: Why Conventional Mortgages Are Problematic

The fundamental reason why Partms.co.uk cannot be recommended from an Islamic perspective is its involvement in conventional mortgages. These mortgages are inherently built on the principle of interest (Riba), which is unequivocally prohibited in Islamic finance. The Quran and Sunnah strongly condemn Riba, considering it an exploitative practice that creates economic inequality and injustice. This prohibition extends to all parties involved – the lender, the borrower, the scribe, and the witnesses.

The Prohibition of Riba in Islamic Finance

The prohibition of Riba is one of the foundational pillars of Islamic economics. It’s not merely a moral guideline but a divine injunction. The wisdom behind this prohibition is multifaceted:

Economic Justice: Riba leads to wealth concentration in the hands of a few and burdens the poor and needy. It encourages speculative and unproductive investments rather than real economic activity.
Risk Sharing: Islamic finance promotes risk-sharing (e.g., through partnerships, profit-sharing) rather than risk transfer, where one party (the borrower) bears all the risk while the other (the lender) is guaranteed a return regardless of the outcome.
Ethical Conduct: It encourages generosity, mutual cooperation, and ethical transactions, discouraging greed and exploitation.

The strictness of this prohibition means that any financial product or service that involves the charging or paying of interest falls outside the permissible (Halal) framework.

The Mechanism of Conventional Mortgages and Riba

A conventional mortgage involves borrowing a sum of money from a lender (bank) to purchase a property. In return, the borrower agrees to repay the principal amount along with an additional sum, which is the interest. This interest is a pre-determined charge for the use of the money, irrespective of the property’s performance or the borrower’s financial well-being. This direct exchange of money for more money, with the “extra” being the interest, is precisely what constitutes Riba. Data from the Bank of England consistently shows that the majority of lending in the UK, including mortgages, operates on an interest-bearing model. For example, the value of outstanding mortgage loans in the UK stood at £1,659.8 billion in December 2023, almost entirely interest-based.

Partms.co.uk Pros & Cons (from a general service perspective)

While an Islamic ethical review deems Partms.co.uk unsuitable due to Riba, it’s useful to briefly acknowledge its operational aspects from a general service perspective, as a conventional mortgage broker. This helps understand what a typical customer might find appealing versus what’s missing.

Perceived Advantages of Partms.co.uk (Conventional View)

Dedicated Service: The website emphasises a “personal service” and a “Five Star Service” aim, suggesting a customer-centric approach. For many, a dedicated broker can simplify the complex mortgage process.
Accessibility: The promise of being “on hand 7 days a week” for housebuilders’ customers suggests good availability, which is crucial in a fast-paced property market.
Convenient Features: The “Document Upload” facility indicates an attempt to streamline the application process, reducing paperwork and potential delays.
Broker Expertise: A mortgage broker is typically expected to navigate the market to find competitive rates and suitable products, which could be a significant time-saver for a borrower.

Disadvantages and Missing Elements (General & Ethical View)

No Sharia-Compliant Options: This is the most glaring omission from an ethical standpoint. There is no mention of Islamic finance alternatives, making it unsuitable for a significant segment of the UK population.
Inherent Riba: As extensively discussed, the core business model relies on interest, which is forbidden in Islam.
Limited Information on Credentials: While the website looks professional, readily visible regulatory information (like FCA firm reference numbers) could enhance immediate trust. While such details are usually found in the footer or ‘About Us’ section, a more prominent display could improve transparency for a quick glance.
Lack of Educational Resources: Beyond service descriptions, the website doesn’t offer extensive educational content on the mortgage process, financial planning, or different types of mortgages (conventional or otherwise), which could empower customers with more knowledge.

Ethical and Halal Alternatives for Home Ownership

For Muslims seeking to own a home in the UK, conventional interest-based mortgages are not an option. Thankfully, the landscape of Islamic finance in the UK has matured, offering viable, Sharia-compliant alternatives. These solutions are built on principles of trade, partnership, and ethical investment, entirely avoiding Riba. The growth of Islamic finance assets globally has been substantial, with global Islamic finance assets estimated at US$4.5 trillion in 2022 by the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), indicating a robust and growing sector. Seasoncookshop.co.uk Review

Sharia-Compliant Home Financing Models

The primary models for Sharia-compliant home financing include:

Ijara (Lease-to-Own): The bank purchases the property and then leases it to the customer. Over time, the customer pays rent and also makes payments towards purchasing the bank’s share of the property, eventually becoming the sole owner.
Murabaha (Cost-Plus Financing): The bank purchases the property from the vendor and then sells it to the customer at a pre-agreed higher price, payable in instalments. The profit margin is fixed upfront, and there is no interest charged.
Musharaka Mutanaqisah (Diminishing Partnership): The bank and customer jointly purchase the property as partners. The customer then gradually buys the bank’s share of the property over time, while also paying rent for the bank’s remaining share.

These models ensure that the transaction is based on tangible assets and risk-sharing, not on charging interest on borrowed money.

Reputable Islamic Banks and Providers in the UK

The UK is fortunate to have established Islamic financial institutions offering these services. These banks are regulated by the same bodies as conventional banks (e.g., the FCA and PRA) and adhere to strict Sharia compliance standards, often overseen by independent Sharia boards.

Al Rayan Bank Home Purchase Plan: As the oldest and largest Islamic bank in the UK, Al Rayan Bank offers a comprehensive range of Sharia-compliant personal and commercial banking products, including their popular Home Purchase Plan. They have been instrumental in making ethical homeownership accessible.
Gatehouse Bank Home Purchase Plan: Gatehouse Bank is another key player in the UK Islamic finance sector, offering Sharia-compliant property finance solutions for both residential and commercial properties. They focus on ethical and transparent transactions.
Islamic Finance House (UK): While not a bank, some smaller firms or specialised divisions might offer advice or facilitate Sharia-compliant financing. Always verify their regulatory status and Sharia compliance.

Long-Term Financial Planning for Muslims

Beyond home ownership, ethical financial planning for Muslims involves a holistic approach that avoids Riba in all aspects of life.

Wahed Invest: For investments, platforms like Wahed Invest offer Sharia-compliant portfolios, investing in ethically screened companies that avoid industries like alcohol, gambling, conventional finance, and adult entertainment. This allows individuals to grow their wealth in a permissible manner.
Ethical Savings Accounts: While true interest-free savings accounts are rare in conventional banking, Islamic banks offer profit-sharing investment accounts or current accounts that are Riba-free.
Halal Pensions: Many pension providers now offer Sharia-compliant pension funds that invest only in ethical and permissible assets. It is crucial to ensure your pension aligns with your values.
Zakat and Sadaqah: Integrating Zakat (obligatory charity) and Sadaqah (voluntary charity) into financial planning not only fulfills religious obligations but also purifies wealth and fosters social solidarity.

How to Approach Home Ownership Ethically: A Muslim Perspective

For Muslims, the journey to home ownership requires careful planning and a deep understanding of Islamic financial principles. It’s not just about acquiring a property but doing so in a manner that adheres to divine guidance, ensuring blessings and avoiding forbidden practices. The key is to seek out Sharia-compliant alternatives and to remain patient and persistent in one’s efforts. The UK property market, while competitive, does offer pathways to ethical homeownership.

Researching Sharia-Compliant Providers

The first and most crucial step is thorough research. Don’t assume all financial institutions offer Islamic finance products. Actively seek out those that specialise in or explicitly state their Sharia compliance.

Check Sharia Boards: Reputable Islamic financial institutions will have a dedicated Sharia supervisory board comprising Islamic scholars who scrutinise and approve all products and services to ensure they meet Islamic legal requirements. This information should be readily available on their websites.
Understand the Product: Don’t just rely on the “Islamic” label. Understand the underlying contract (Ijara, Murabaha, Musharaka Mutanaqisah) and how it differs from a conventional mortgage. Ask for clear explanations of how profits are generated and how risks are shared.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the provider is regulated by the relevant authorities in the UK, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). This provides a layer of consumer protection. Data from the FCA shows that as of early 2023, there were five fully Sharia-compliant banks operating in the UK, alongside several conventional banks offering Islamic windows or products.

Saving for a Deposit: The Interest-Free Way

Accumulating a deposit for a home is often the first major hurdle. For Muslims, this process must also be Riba-free.

Interest-Free Savings Accounts: Utilise current accounts or specific savings accounts offered by Islamic banks that do not pay interest. Instead, they might offer profit-sharing arrangements based on ethical investments, or simply serve as a safe place for funds.
Ethical Investments: Consider investing savings in Sharia-compliant investment funds (e.g., through platforms like Wahed Invest) where returns are generated from ethically screened businesses, avoiding interest-bearing instruments.
Budgeting and Frugal Living: Implement strict budgeting practices to maximise savings. This might involve reducing discretionary spending, finding cheaper alternatives for daily necessities, and setting clear financial goals. Tools like personal finance software or simple spreadsheets can be immensely helpful. A survey by the Money Advice Service in 2022 indicated that households that budget are significantly more likely to save regularly.

The Role of Patience and Professional Advice

The ethical path to homeownership might seem longer or more complex than the conventional route, but it is ultimately more rewarding and blessed.

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Patience is Key: It might take longer to save a substantial deposit or to find the perfect Sharia-compliant product. Patience (sabr) is a virtue highly emphasised in Islam.
Seek Knowledge: Continuously educate yourself about Islamic finance. There are numerous books, seminars, and online resources available.
Consult Experts: Engage with qualified Islamic finance advisors or scholars who can provide tailored advice and guidance on your specific circumstances. They can help navigate the nuances and ensure your transactions are fully compliant.

FAQ

What is Partms.co.uk?

Partms.co.uk is the website for Partridge Mortgage Services, a company that provides conventional mortgage brokerage services in the United Kingdom, assisting customers with home purchases, remortgaging, and deposit unlock schemes.

Does Partms.co.uk offer Sharia-compliant mortgages?

No, based on the website content, Partms.co.uk does not appear to offer any Sharia-compliant or Islamic finance options. Their services are based on conventional, interest-bearing mortgage products.

Why are conventional mortgages considered forbidden in Islam?

Conventional mortgages involve the payment and charging of interest (Riba), which is strictly prohibited in Islam. Riba is viewed as an exploitative practice that leads to economic injustice and is against Islamic principles of fair trade and risk-sharing.

What are the main ethical concerns with Partms.co.uk from an Islamic perspective?

The primary ethical concern is its direct involvement in facilitating interest-based transactions (Riba) through conventional mortgages, which are unequivocally forbidden in Islamic finance.

Are there any alternatives to Partms.co.uk for Muslims seeking home ownership?

Yes, there are several Sharia-compliant alternatives available in the UK, primarily offered by Islamic banks. These include Home Purchase Plans based on principles like Ijara (lease-to-own) or Murabaha (cost-plus financing).

Which Islamic banks in the UK offer Sharia-compliant home finance?

Prominent Islamic banks in the UK offering Sharia-compliant home finance include Al Rayan Bank and Gatehouse Bank.

How do Islamic home finance models differ from conventional mortgages?

Islamic home finance models avoid interest. Instead, they are based on principles of trade and partnership, where the bank either buys the property and leases it to the customer (Ijara) or buys it and sells it to the customer at a profit (Murabaha), or enters into a diminishing partnership (Musharaka Mutanaqisah).

Is it permissible to save for a home deposit in an interest-bearing account?

No, for Muslims, saving in an interest-bearing account is generally not permissible, as the interest earned constitutes Riba. It is recommended to use interest-free savings accounts or invest in Sharia-compliant funds.

What should I look for when choosing an Islamic finance provider?

Look for providers that have a clear Sharia supervisory board, are regulated by the UK’s financial authorities (FCA/PRA), and can clearly explain their Sharia-compliant product contracts (e.g., Ijara, Murabaha, Musharaka Mutanaqisah).

Can I get a mortgage through Partms.co.uk if I intend to pay it off quickly?

Regardless of the intention to pay off quickly, engaging in an interest-bearing contract (conventional mortgage) is still considered impermissible in Islam. The act of entering the contract itself is the issue, not just the duration of the interest payment. Sherwoodsport.co.uk Review

Does Partms.co.uk provide any educational resources on mortgages?

Based on the homepage text, Partms.co.uk primarily focuses on presenting its services rather than offering extensive educational resources on the general mortgage process or different types of financing.

How transparent is Partms.co.uk regarding its services?

The website is transparent about offering conventional mortgage services. However, it lacks any mention of Sharia-compliant options or their non-provision, which could be a point of non-transparency for ethically conscious consumers.

What are the “Five Star Service” and “Communication” claims by Partms.co.uk?

These are claims of their commitment to providing high levels of customer service and being readily available (7 days a week for housebuilders’ customers) to assist with mortgage-related enquiries.

Can Partms.co.uk help with “Deposit Unlock” schemes?

Yes, the Partms.co.uk homepage explicitly lists “Deposit Unlock Find Out More” as one of their services, indicating they can assist with such schemes, which are typically conventional mortgage products.

Is it mandatory for financial institutions in the UK to offer Islamic finance?

No, it is not mandatory for all financial institutions in the UK to offer Islamic finance products. However, the UK is a significant hub for Islamic finance, with dedicated institutions and some conventional banks offering “Islamic windows.”

What is the role of an independent financial adviser in ethical home ownership?

An independent financial adviser specialising in Islamic finance can guide individuals through Sharia-compliant products, help them understand the contractual differences, and ensure their financial decisions align with their faith.

What are the general “pros” of using a mortgage broker like Partms.co.uk (excluding ethical considerations)?

From a conventional standpoint, pros include saving time by letting the broker search for rates, potential access to exclusive deals, and expert guidance through the complex application process.

What are the general “cons” of using a mortgage broker like Partms.co.uk (excluding ethical considerations)?

Cons might include potential fees charged by the broker (though some are commission-based), reliance on the broker’s advice, and the possibility that they may not always access every single product on the market.

How can I verify the Sharia compliance of an Islamic finance product?

You can verify compliance by checking if the institution has a reputable Sharia Supervisory Board, reviewing their product contracts for adherence to Islamic principles, and consulting independent Islamic scholars or finance experts.

Is saving a large cash deposit to avoid mortgages altogether a Halal option?

Yes, saving a large cash deposit and purchasing a property outright without any form of financing is the most straightforward and unequivocally Halal option, as it completely bypasses any debt or interest. Guardianroofsuk.co.uk Review