
Based on checking the website, Dashly.com presents itself as a service designed to help homeowners monitor their mortgage rates and identify potential savings.
It claims to use “24/7 Mortgage Monitor’s always-on algorithms” to track your mortgage daily, comparing it against thousands of deals to ensure you’re consistently on the most suitable rate.
While the platform aims to provide a seemingly free service that offers personalized advice through a mortgage adviser, it’s crucial to examine the underlying mechanisms and implications, especially from an ethical standpoint.
The core promise of Dashly.com revolves around optimizing mortgage deals, which inherently involves engaging with interest-based financial products.
In Islamic finance, interest riba is strictly prohibited due to its exploitative nature and potential for economic imbalance.
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While the service itself doesn’t directly charge interest, its entire premise is built upon facilitating transactions that are fundamentally interest-driven.
This can lead to Muslims inadvertently participating in or benefiting from systems that contravene Islamic principles.
Therefore, while the idea of saving money is appealing, the method through which these savings are achieved through traditional mortgage systems raises significant concerns for those seeking to align their financial dealings with Islamic teachings.
It’s always better to seek financial solutions that are interest-free and promote equitable wealth distribution, such as Islamic financing options.
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.
Dashly.com Review & First Look
Dashly.com positions itself as an innovative solution for mortgage management, aiming to alleviate the burden of constantly tracking market rates.
The website highlights a “24/7 Mortgage Monitor” that uses algorithms to compare a user’s current mortgage against a vast database of deals, promising to alert users and their advisers if a better deal becomes available.
This continuous monitoring is a key selling point, suggesting that homeowners can remain assured that they are always on the “right rate.” The site emphasizes that the service is “free for you, forever,” which immediately raises questions about its business model and how it sustains its operations.
The user journey on Dashly.com appears streamlined: sign up, import mortgage details, and then let the algorithms do the work.
The platform states it considers numerous factors beyond just interest rates, including property value changes, outstanding mortgage balance, age, employment length, and even local developments. Jerseyave.co Reviews
This holistic approach suggests a comprehensive effort to find tailored savings.
For example, the website cites a case of “Jane” who saved £253 per month by avoiding a Standard Variable Rate SVR, and “Alf” who saved £5,546 per year by switching from an SVR.
While these figures are compelling, the fundamental nature of these savings is rooted in optimizing interest-bearing loans, which, as discussed, is a critical point of concern.
What is Dashly.com?
Based on looking at the website, Dashly.com appears to be a digital platform designed to provide an ongoing mortgage monitoring service.
It aims to ensure that homeowners are always on the most financially advantageous mortgage deal by continuously tracking their existing mortgage and comparing it against thousands of market offerings. Sydney.edu.au Reviews
The service highlights its use of advanced algorithms and personalized advice from mortgage advisers.
How Does Dashly.com Work?
According to the website, Dashly.com operates in four main steps:
- Sign Up & Import Your Mortgage: Users upload their mortgage details to begin the monitoring process.
- We Search, You Sit Back: The algorithms continuously track and compare the user’s deal daily, notifying them if a better option is found.
- Evaluate, Switch, Save: If a better deal is identified and accepted, Dashly connects the user with their adviser to facilitate the switch.
- The Search Restarts: After a switch, the monitoring continues to ensure ongoing savings.
The website also states it takes into account over “100 other factors” like property value, outstanding balance, age, and employment length, alongside comparing against “10,000 other mortgage products.”
Dashly.com Cons
While Dashly.com offers a seemingly attractive proposition for financial management, it’s essential to highlight the significant drawbacks, especially concerning ethical and Islamic principles.
The entire service is predicated on optimizing interest-based mortgages, which is fundamentally at odds with the prohibition of Riba interest in Islam. Qlivingcph.com Reviews
Engaging with such services, even if they aim to save money, still legitimizes and deepens one’s involvement in an interest-based financial system.
This leads to a deeper entanglement in transactions that are considered impermissible.
Furthermore, the “free forever” model, while appealing on the surface, often implies that the company monetizes its services through other means, potentially by taking commissions from lenders when a user switches to a new mortgage deal.
This creates an indirect participation in a system that is ethically problematic.
For Muslims, the pursuit of financial ease should never come at the cost of compromising core religious tenets. Goldsoftware.org Reviews
Reliance on Interest-Based Products
The primary service of Dashly.com is to find “better deals” on mortgages.
These “deals” are inherently interest-bearing loans.
- Fundamental Conflict: For Muslims, Riba interest is strictly prohibited. Engaging with services that facilitate or optimize interest-based transactions, even if indirectly, is problematic.
- Ethical Dilemma: While the service may save money in the short term, it entrenches individuals deeper into a financial system that contradicts Islamic principles. This can be seen as compromising one’s values for material gain.
- No Halal Alternatives: The platform does not offer or promote any Sharia-compliant financing options, which are crucial for Muslims seeking ethical financial solutions.
Implicit Endorsement of Conventional Finance
By using Dashly.com, individuals implicitly endorse and participate in the conventional financial system, which is largely built on interest.
- Normalization of Riba: Such services normalize the use of interest, making it seem like the only viable option for home financing, rather than exploring permissible alternatives.
- Lack of Islamic Perspective: The website offers no acknowledgment or guidance for individuals who wish to avoid interest, making it unsuitable for a Muslim audience.
Data Privacy and Security Concerns
While the website mentions certifications like Cyber Essentials, the continuous monitoring of “ever-changing financial circumstances” and sharing data with “your mortgage adviser” raises questions about data privacy and the extent of financial information being tracked.
- Extensive Data Collection: Dashly claims to track “100 other factors” and “your outstanding mortgage balance,” implying a into personal financial data.
- Third-Party Sharing: The service involves sharing this sensitive data with mortgage advisers, increasing the attack surface for potential data breaches or misuse.
- Trust in Algorithms: Relying solely on algorithms to determine “the right deal” might oversimplify complex financial decisions, which should ideally be made with a full understanding of ethical implications.
Dashly.com Alternatives
For Muslims seeking to manage their finances responsibly and ethically, it is crucial to explore alternatives that adhere to Islamic principles. Saturnsales.co.uk Reviews
These alternatives focus on avoiding interest riba and promoting equitable, transparent financial practices.
Instead of optimizing interest-based mortgages, the focus shifts to Sharia-compliant financing, which offers ways to acquire assets like homes without violating religious guidelines.
Islamic Home Financing Murabaha, Musharaka, Ijarah
These are primary alternatives for Muslims seeking to purchase a home without interest.
- Murabaha Cost-Plus Financing:
- Mechanism: An Islamic bank buys the property and then sells it to the client at a predetermined higher price, payable in installments. The profit margin is agreed upon upfront, eliminating interest.
- Transparency: The cost and profit are explicitly declared, ensuring transparency.
- Example: A bank buys a house for $300,000 and sells it to the client for $350,000, payable over 20 years. This fixed profit is not interest.
- Musharaka Mutanaqisah Diminishing Partnership:
- Mechanism: The bank and the client co-own the property. The client gradually buys the bank’s share over time, becoming the sole owner.
- Rent Component: The client pays a monthly amount that includes both a portion for purchasing the bank’s share and a rental payment for using the bank’s portion of the property.
- Equity Building: As the client buys more shares, their equity in the property increases.
- Flexibility: Can be more flexible than Murabaha, with some variations allowing for adjustments.
- Ijarah Lease-to-Own:
- Mechanism: The bank buys the property and leases it to the client. A portion of the lease payment goes towards acquiring ownership.
- No Upfront Sale: Unlike Murabaha, the property is not immediately sold to the client. Ownership transfers at the end of the lease term.
- Risk Sharing: The bank bears some risks associated with ownership during the lease period.
Ethical Financial Advisers and Islamic Financial Institutions
Instead of services that optimize conventional loans, seeking advice from specialists in Islamic finance is paramount.
- Certified Islamic Financial Planners: These professionals are trained in both conventional finance and Sharia principles, offering guidance on permissible investments, savings, and financing options.
- Islamic Banks and Cooperatives: These institutions are structured to operate entirely on Islamic principles, avoiding interest in all their transactions. They offer Sharia-compliant alternatives for mortgages, personal finance, and investments.
- Community-Based Funds: In some communities, cooperative funds or non-profit organizations offer interest-free loans Qard Hasan for specific needs, including housing, though these are typically smaller in scale and harder to access for large purchases.
Personal Financial Planning and Budgeting
A proactive approach to personal finance, without relying on interest-based optimization tools, can be far more beneficial. Grafimmo.ca Reviews
- Strict Budgeting: Creating and adhering to a detailed budget to track income and expenses helps in saving for a down payment or reducing overall debt without resorting to interest-bearing mechanisms.
- Aggressive Savings: Prioritizing and consistently saving funds allows for larger down payments, reducing the need for extensive financing, or even enabling cash purchases over time.
- Debt Avoidance: Actively working to pay off existing interest-based debts if any and avoiding new ones is a core principle in Islamic finance. This includes credit cards, personal loans, and other conventional debt instruments.
- Income Diversification: Exploring permissible avenues to increase income, such as ethical investments e.g., halal stocks, real estate equity partnerships, ethical businesses, can accelerate financial goals without relying on debt.
Seeking Knowledge and Education
Understanding Islamic finance principles is the first step towards making informed, ethical financial decisions.
- Educational Resources: Reading books, attending seminars, and consulting Islamic scholars on financial matters can provide a solid foundation.
- Community Support: Engaging with local Muslim communities and masjids can offer valuable insights and connections to ethical financial resources and support networks.
By focusing on these alternatives, Muslims can navigate the complexities of modern finance while remaining steadfast in their commitment to Islamic values, ensuring their wealth is acquired and managed in a permissible and blessed manner.
How to Cancel Dashly.com Subscription
Based on the information available on the Dashly.com website, the service is promoted as “free for you, forever.” This implies that there isn’t a traditional paid subscription model that users would need to cancel in the conventional sense.
Instead, the service seems to operate on a model where the user incurs no direct costs.
However, even with a “free” service, users might want to discontinue their engagement for various reasons, particularly those concerned with data privacy or adherence to ethical financial principles. Maja.no Reviews
Since Dashly.com states that users are often signed up by their mortgage adviser, or can sign up directly, the process for discontinuing the service would likely involve reaching out to their customer support or their associated mortgage adviser.
Discontinuing the Service No Traditional “Cancellation”
Given the “free forever” model, “cancelling” likely means requesting the cessation of monitoring and data processing.
- Contact Customer Support: The most direct method would be to contact Dashly.com’s customer support. Look for a “Contact Us” section on their website, which typically includes email addresses, phone numbers, or a contact form.
- Website Information: The footer of Dashly.com includes a “Contact us anytime. Book a call” link. This suggests that scheduling a direct conversation might be the primary way to address inquiries, including service discontinuation.
- Email Communication: If a direct phone number isn’t readily available, sending a clear email requesting the termination of service and deletion of associated data would be appropriate.
- Inform Your Mortgage Adviser: If you were signed up through a mortgage adviser, it is advisable to also inform them of your decision to stop using Dashly.com’s monitoring service. They might have their own process for removing your details from the system linked to Dashly.
- Coordinated Effort: It’s possible that your adviser manages your data directly within their system, which then communicates with Dashly.com. Coordinating with both parties ensures your data is no longer being actively monitored.
Data Deletion and Privacy Concerns
When discontinuing any online service, especially one that handles sensitive financial data, it’s crucial to ensure your personal and financial information is properly handled and deleted.
- Request Data Deletion: In your communication with Dashly.com’s support, explicitly request the deletion of all your personal and financial data from their systems. Mentioning data protection regulations e.g., GDPR, if applicable, although the website seems UK-focused, general data privacy principles apply can strengthen your request.
- Confirm Discontinuation: Ask for a confirmation that the monitoring service has been stopped and that your data has been removed or anonymized according to their data retention policies.
- Review Privacy Policy: Before contacting them, it might be beneficial to review Dashly.com’s privacy policy usually linked in the footer to understand their data handling practices and your rights regarding data access and deletion. This can help formulate a more effective request.
Since there’s no visible “cancel subscription” button or specific instructions for terminating the service on the website, direct communication with Dashly.com and/or your mortgage adviser is the most likely path to discontinuation.
How to Cancel Dashly.com Free Trial
Based on the information provided on Dashly.com, the service is marketed as “free for you, forever.” This suggests that there isn’t a “free trial” in the traditional sense, as the entire service is presented as permanently free of charge to the user. Ingridandisabel.com Reviews
Consequently, there would be no trial period to “cancel” before it converts into a paid subscription, simply because there is no paid subscription model for the end-user.
If a user wishes to cease using Dashly.com’s monitoring services, even though it’s free, the process would be similar to discontinuing any non-subscription-based service where personal data is being processed.
It would involve communicating directly with Dashly.com or the mortgage adviser who facilitated the sign-up.
Understanding the “Free Forever” Model
- No Trial Period: The website explicitly states, “it’s free for you, forever.” This eliminates the concept of a trial period that needs to be cancelled to avoid charges.
- Monetization Method Implied: While free for the user, Dashly.com likely generates revenue through partnerships with mortgage advisers or lenders, potentially receiving commissions for successful mortgage switches facilitated by their monitoring. This is a common model for “free” financial comparison or advisory services.
Steps to Discontinue the Free Service
Since there’s no trial to cancel, the action needed is to request the termination of their monitoring service.
- Contact Dashly.com Support: The most direct way to stop the service is to contact Dashly.com’s customer service.
- Website Contact: The website provides a “Book a call” option in the footer and potentially other contact details. This is the primary channel for direct communication.
- Email: Sending a clear email stating your desire to cease the service and requesting data deletion is also a valid approach.
- Inform Your Mortgage Adviser: If your mortgage adviser was involved in signing you up, communicate your decision to them as well. They might be able to remove your details from their integrated systems, which could stop the data flow to Dashly.com.
- Request Data Deletion: Crucially, when discontinuing any service that holds your financial data, always request that your personal and financial information be deleted from their servers in accordance with data protection regulations. This ensures your privacy even after you stop using the service.
In essence, because Dashly.com operates on a “free forever” model for users, the concept of a “free trial” and its cancellation is not applicable. Mybeautydoctor.co.uk Reviews
Users who wish to stop using the service simply need to communicate their intent to Dashly.com or their associated mortgage adviser.
Dashly.com Pricing
Dashly.com explicitly states that its service is “free for you, forever.” This means there are no direct costs, subscription fees, or hidden charges for the end-user who utilizes their mortgage monitoring platform.
This is a significant point of emphasis on their homepage, designed to attract users by removing the financial barrier to entry often associated with financial advisory services.
The business model for a “free forever” service like Dashly.com typically relies on alternative revenue streams, which are not directly charged to the user.
This is a common practice in the financial technology FinTech sector for comparison and advisory platforms. Localroot.com Reviews
How Dashly.com Likely Generates Revenue Indirect Pricing
- Commissions from Lenders/Advisers: The most probable revenue model for Dashly.com is earning commissions or referral fees from mortgage lenders or mortgage advisers when a user successfully switches to a new mortgage deal facilitated by Dashly’s platform.
- Referral Fees: When Dashly identifies a better deal and connects the user to a mortgage adviser or if the user’s existing adviser uses Dashly, and a new mortgage is secured, the lender or adviser might pay a fee to Dashly.
- “Your Adviser, Your Hero”: The website states, “If you were directed here from an email from your mortgage adviser, they’ve already signed you up for our service.” This suggests a B2B2C business-to-business-to-consumer model where mortgage advisers are their direct clients or partners, and Dashly provides tools that enhance the adviser’s service, for which the adviser might pay Dashly or share a portion of their earnings.
- Data Aggregation Anonymized: While not explicitly stated as a direct revenue stream, companies that collect vast amounts of market data often use anonymized, aggregated data for market analysis, trend reporting, or to sell insights to financial institutions. This is a potential, though often secondary, source of value creation. It’s important to note that Dashly’s website emphasizes data protection and ethical usage “It’s not just our Consumer Duty. It’s our pleasure.”, which would suggest responsible data handling.
Implications of “Free” Service
- No Direct Financial Commitment: For the user, the absence of a direct fee makes the service appear risk-free from a monetary perspective.
- Indirect Financial Implications Ethical: As previously discussed, the “free” nature doesn’t negate the underlying ethical concerns for Muslims regarding involvement in interest-based transactions. While the user doesn’t pay Dashly directly, the service facilitates their engagement with interest-based mortgages, which is the primary ethical conflict.
- Focus on Volume: To be profitable on a commission model, Dashly.com would need to drive a significant volume of mortgage switches. This aligns with their “24/7 Mortgage Monitor” and “always-on algorithms” claims, designed to constantly find new opportunities for users to switch and, consequently, generate revenue for Dashly.
In summary, while Dashly.com’s service is free for the consumer, its business model is built on indirect monetization, most likely through partnerships and commissions within the mortgage industry.
This pricing structure removes financial barriers for users but does not alleviate the ethical considerations regarding participation in interest-based financial systems.
Dashly.com vs. Conventional Mortgage Advisers Ethical Considerations
When evaluating Dashly.com against conventional mortgage advisers, it’s crucial to look beyond just the superficial benefits and consider the deeper ethical implications, particularly for Muslims.
While both aim to assist individuals with their mortgages, their operational models and the underlying financial principles they engage with are central to this comparison.
Dashly.com operates on a tech-driven, passive monitoring model, whereas traditional advisers offer a more human-centric, bespoke service. Coderzlab.com Reviews
However, from an Islamic perspective, both primarily facilitate interest-based transactions, making neither inherently permissible without careful consideration of the alternatives.
Dashly.com: The Algorithmic Approach
- Pros Conventional View:
- 24/7 Monitoring: Algorithms continuously scan the market, potentially catching rate changes faster than a human could.
- Automated Alerts: Users receive notifications when a better deal is found, reducing the need for active research.
- “Free” Service: No direct cost to the end-user, making it financially accessible.
- Data-Driven: Leverages large datasets and factors property value, balance, etc. to theoretically find highly personalized deals.
- Cons Conventional View:
- Lack of Human Touch: While it connects to an adviser, the initial identification of deals is automated, potentially lacking nuanced understanding of complex personal situations.
- Dependency on Algorithms: Users rely heavily on the accuracy and biases of the algorithms.
- Data Privacy: Continuous monitoring requires significant data sharing.
- Ethical Concerns Islamic View:
- Facilitation of Riba: The core service is to optimize interest-based mortgages. Even if it saves money, it deeply involves the user in a system prohibited in Islam.
- No Halal Options: Dashly.com does not offer or even acknowledge Sharia-compliant alternatives, guiding users exclusively towards conventional, interest-bearing loans.
- Indirect Contribution to Impermissible System: By improving the efficiency and appeal of conventional mortgages, Dashly.com indirectly strengthens the interest-based financial ecosystem.
Conventional Mortgage Advisers: The Human Touch
* Personalized Advice: Advisers can understand individual circumstances, goals, and risk appetites more thoroughly.
* Negotiation & Advocacy: A human adviser can often negotiate on behalf of the client and navigate complex lending criteria.
* Holistic Financial Planning: Good advisers often offer broader financial planning beyond just mortgages.
* Relationship Building: Clients can build trust with a dedicated professional.
* Fees: Many charge fees for their services, either directly or through commissions.
* Limited Scope of Monitoring: Cannot realistically monitor the market 24/7 like an algorithm.
* Bias: Advisers might be incentivized by specific lenders or products, leading to potential biases.
* Facilitation of Riba: Like Dashly.com, the primary role of conventional mortgage advisers is to arrange interest-based loans.
* Lack of Halal Expertise: Most conventional advisers are not trained in Islamic finance and cannot guide clients to Sharia-compliant products.
* Reinforcement of Conventional Debt: Their advice, while aiming for the "best deal," still entrenches clients in traditional debt structures.
Ethical Conclusion and Alternatives
From an Islamic perspective, neither Dashly.com nor conventional mortgage advisers are inherently preferable because both operate within and optimize the interest-based lending system. The core issue for Muslims is the engagement with Riba.
The superior alternative is to actively seek out:
- Islamic Financial Institutions: Banks and financial entities that offer truly Sharia-compliant home financing products e.g., Murabaha, Musharaka Mutanaqisah, Ijarah.
- Certified Islamic Financial Advisers: Professionals who specialize in Islamic finance and can guide individuals through permissible wealth management and asset acquisition strategies.
- Self-Education: Learning about Islamic finance principles to make informed decisions and identify impermissible practices.
While Dashly.com’s technological innovation is impressive for convenience, it doesn’t change the underlying impermissibility of the financial transactions it facilitates for a Muslim.
The focus for ethical wealth management should always be on adherence to Sharia, even if it requires more effort to find permissible solutions. O-mybeauty.com Reviews
Dashly.com Case Studies & Real Data Analysis Ethical Lens
Dashly.com features several “case studies” on its homepage, presenting them as examples of real savings achieved by users like “Jane,” “Alf,” and “Dom.” These examples are designed to be highly persuasive, quantifying the financial benefits of using their service.
While these figures may appear impressive in a conventional financial context, it is critical to analyze them through an ethical lens, particularly from an Islamic perspective, where the source and nature of these savings are paramount.
Analysis of Featured Case Studies:
Dashly.com provides three specific examples with monetary savings:
-
“Jane saved £253 per month by avoiding an SVR”*
- Details: Jane had a £289,000 mortgage with 26 years 2 months remaining. Her deal was ending in 3 months. By taking a new 5-year rate, she avoided her lender’s 5.74% Standard Variable Rate SVR, saving £253 per month.
- Conventional Interpretation: This is a clear financial win. SVRs are typically higher and variable, so locking in a lower fixed rate offers stability and reduces monthly outgoings. Over 5 years, this amounts to a significant saving of £15,180 £253/month * 60 months.
- Ethical Islamic Interpretation: The saving is achieved by optimizing an interest-based loan. The £253 saving per month is directly related to reducing the interest paid on the mortgage. While the amount saved is tangible, the method of saving through interest reduction on a prohibited transaction remains problematic. It’s akin to finding a “better deal” on a product that is fundamentally impermissible to begin with.
-
“Alf and his partner saved £5,546 per year switching from an SVR”* Ponypiger.dk Reviews
- Details: Alf had a £197,500 mortgage with 22 years 5 months remaining and had already dropped onto his lender’s 5.74% SVR. By taking a new preferential rate for 2 years, they saved £5,546 over 24 months.
- Conventional Interpretation: This demonstrates substantial annual savings for someone already on a high SVR. The immediate impact on disposable income is significant.
- Ethical Islamic Interpretation: Similar to Jane’s case, the savings here are a direct result of negotiating a lower interest rate on a conventional mortgage. This action, while financially beneficial in a conventional sense, further solidifies engagement with an interest-based system. The emphasis from an Islamic perspective would be on finding an alternative to an interest-based mortgage entirely, rather than just reducing the cost of interest.
-
“Dom saved £3,014 per year fixing his BTL mortgage”*
- Details: Dom had a Buy-to-Let BTL mortgage of £154,500 with 33 years remaining. His deal was ending in 3 months. By taking a new 3-year rate, he saved £3,014 per year by avoiding his lender’s 5.74% SVR.
- Conventional Interpretation: This highlights savings for investment properties, showcasing the broad applicability of Dashly’s service beyond owner-occupied homes.
- Ethical Islamic Interpretation: The BTL mortgage itself often involves interest, and optimizing it through Dashly.com continues this engagement. Furthermore, while property investment can be permissible in Islam, financing it through interest-based loans compromises its permissibility. The savings, again, are derived from reducing interest payments on an impermissible financial instrument.
Overall Ethical Takeaway from Case Studies:
The “real data” presented by Dashly.com undeniably shows financial savings within the framework of conventional mortgage lending.
However, for a Muslim audience, these examples serve as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of interest in conventional finance.
The savings highlighted, while appealing, are achieved by navigating and optimizing a system that is fundamentally prohibited in Islam.
Key Point: The primary concern is not the magnitude of savings but the source of those savings. If the savings come from reducing the burden of Riba, it still means one is entrenched in a Riba-based transaction. Parlonsmonnaies.fr Reviews
Better Alternative Islamic Perspective: Instead of focusing on “saving” money on interest-based loans, the ethical approach is to:
- Avoid interest-based loans entirely: Prioritize Sharia-compliant financing methods like Murabaha, Musharaka Mutanaqisah, or Ijarah for property acquisition.
- Pay down existing interest-based debt: If already burdened by conventional mortgages, the focus should be on liquidating it as quickly as possible through increased principal payments, rather than simply reducing the interest rate.
- Seek Halal investment opportunities: Invest in ethical businesses, real estate equity partnerships, or other Sharia-compliant avenues to generate wealth that does not involve interest.
The Dashly.com case studies, while demonstrating efficiency in the conventional market, underscore the critical need for Muslims to seek out and promote truly ethical and Sharia-compliant financial solutions, even if they require more effort or a different approach to “saving” money.
Dashly.com Security & Certifications Trustworthiness from an Islamic Perspective
Dashly.com addresses security and trustworthiness by highlighting its certifications and commitment to consumer duty.
The website explicitly mentions being “certified by a range of independent bodies to ensure that our business complies with industry best practices.” Specifically, it references “Cyber Essentials” and “Certified B Corporations” as endorsements.
While these certifications contribute to a sense of reliability from a conventional standpoint, it’s crucial to examine them and their implications through an Islamic ethical lens, considering not just data security but also the overall permissibility of the underlying business. Class-ify.com Reviews
Cyber Essentials Certification:
- What it is: Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme that helps organizations protect themselves against a range of common cyber attacks. Achieving this certification indicates that a company has implemented basic but crucial cybersecurity controls.
- Conventional Trust: For general users, this certification offers reassurance that Dashly.com takes data security seriously, protecting against unauthorized access, malware, and other common cyber threats. This is especially important given the sensitive financial information users would share.
- Islamic Perspective: From an Islamic viewpoint, ensuring data security is aligned with the principle of Amanah trust. Protecting user data from misuse or breach is a moral and ethical obligation. So, having Cyber Essentials is a positive aspect in terms of fulfilling this trust. However, it only addresses how data is protected, not what kind of data is being handled or the permissibility of the transactions it facilitates. A secure system processing impermissible transactions remains impermissible.
Certified B Corporations:
- What it is: A Certified B Corporation is a business that meets the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. They are assessed across areas like governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.
- Conventional Trust: This certification signals a commitment to ethical business practices beyond just profit, including fair treatment of employees, environmental responsibility, and community engagement. It builds significant trust with consumers who prioritize corporate social responsibility.
- Islamic Perspective: The principles of fairness, social responsibility, transparency, and ethical conduct promoted by B Corp certification strongly resonate with Islamic business ethics. Islam emphasizes Adl justice, Ihsan excellence/benevolence, and social welfare in all dealings. Therefore, being a Certified B Corporation aligns well with the broader ethical framework of Islam concerning business operations.
- However, a critical distinction must be made: While the operations and conduct of Dashly.com may be ethically sound e.g., treating employees fairly, being transparent, the core product/service it facilitates – optimization of interest-based mortgages – remains problematic. It’s like a company selling impermissible goods but doing so very ethically and transparently. The ethical conduct of the company B Corp does not make the underlying impermissible transaction permissible.
Other Security Measures & Consumer Duty:
- “24/7 reassurance”: The continuous nature of their monitoring implies robust technical infrastructure and constant vigilance.
- “Consumer Duty”: Dashly.com explicitly states, “It’s your mortgage adviser’s Consumer Duty to ensure that you always receive the very best value you can get from your mortgage. Our 24/7 Mortgage Monitor makes this possible.” This highlights their commitment to acting in the best interest of the customer.
- Ethical Islamic View: This aligns with the Islamic principle of Nasiha sincere advice and acting with the best intentions for others. Providing value and ensuring the customer gets a good deal aligns with being a good service provider. However, again, the definition of “best value” needs to be interrogated. For a Muslim, the “best value” cannot be an interest-based product, regardless of how optimized it is.
Overall Ethical Assessment:
Dashly.com’s certifications for security Cyber Essentials and overall ethical business practices Certified B Corporation are commendable and demonstrate a commitment to being a responsible corporate entity. From an Islamic perspective, these aspects of operational ethics are positive and encouraged.
However, the fundamental ethical dilemma for Muslims remains: the service’s core function is to facilitate and optimize interest-based financial products mortgages. No amount of operational security or social responsibility certification can render a transaction that is inherently Riba-based permissible. While Dashly.com may be a “trustworthy” company in its operational conduct and data handling, its service still leads users into transactions that are prohibited in Islam.
Therefore, while Dashly.com might be deemed trustworthy in its execution, its offerings are not suitable for a Muslim audience seeking to adhere to Islamic financial principles.
The focus should be on finding ethical alternatives that are permissible from the outset.
Dashly.com Blog Content & Resources Guidance for Ethical Alternatives
Dashly.com’s website includes a blog section titled “The truth about mortgages,” which features articles on various topics related to homeownership and finance.
While these articles aim to be informative and helpful for a general audience navigating the complexities of the mortgage market, from an Islamic perspective, their content primarily revolves around conventional financial concepts.
This presents an opportunity to highlight the lack of guidance on ethical alternatives and underscore the need for resources that align with Islamic principles.
Review of Blog Content Examples:
The blog features titles such as:
- “Getting a mortgage when self-employed”
- “Renting out your home for the first time”
- “Fastest ways to improve your credit score”
- “Moving house checklist: What to ask the estate agent or seller”
- “What is LTV and why is it important?”
- “Should I move house or improve my property?”
- “Buying a home: A timeline”
- “Applying for a mortgage: What is required?”
Conventional Value of the Blog:
For a general audience, these articles offer practical advice and demystify aspects of the mortgage process. They cover topics like:
- Accessibility: How different employment statuses impact mortgage applications.
- Investment Guidance: Basics of buy-to-let properties.
- Financial Literacy: Explanations of terms like Loan-to-Value LTV and tips for improving credit scores.
- Procedural Help: Checklists and timelines for moving or buying a home.
Ethical Islamic Critique of the Blog Content:
The fundamental issue with these resources, from an Islamic perspective, is their implicit endorsement and detailed explanation of conventional, interest-based financial mechanisms.
- Normalization of Riba: Every article discussing “getting a mortgage” or “applying for a mortgage” implicitly refers to interest-based loans. There is no mention or exploration of Sharia-compliant financing options. This normalizes interest as the only or primary way to acquire a home.
- Focus on Credit Score: Articles on improving credit scores are relevant for conventional lending, where creditworthiness dictates access to interest-based loans. In an Islamic financial system, while trustworthiness is important, the credit score as a metric for Riba-based lending is not the primary focus.
- Lack of Ethical Alternatives: The most significant drawback is the complete absence of content guiding readers towards Islamic home financing alternatives e.g., Murabaha, Musharaka, Ijarah. This means that a Muslim seeking ethical financial advice would find no relevant information on Dashly.com’s blog.
- “Truth about Mortgages” – Partial Truth: While the blog aims to provide “the truth about mortgages,” this truth is presented solely within the framework of conventional finance, omitting the ethical and religious considerations that are paramount for a significant segment of the population.
What an Ethical Mortgage Blog Should Offer:
For a blog genuinely committed to helping individuals navigate home financing ethically, especially for a Muslim audience, the content should ideally include:
- Introduction to Islamic Finance: Clear explanations of Riba interest and why it’s prohibited, along with the ethical principles of Islamic finance.
- Detailed Guides on Halal Home Financing: Comprehensive articles on Murabaha, Musharaka Mutanaqisah, and Ijarah, explaining their mechanics, benefits, and how they differ from conventional mortgages.
- Case Studies of Halal Homeownership: Real-world examples of how individuals have successfully acquired homes through Sharia-compliant methods.
- Directory of Islamic Financial Institutions: A list of reputable banks and financial institutions that offer halal home financing in the user’s region.
- Tips for Saving without Interest: Strategies for accumulating wealth and making larger down payments through permissible means.
- Guidance on Debt Management Halal: Advice on how to manage or pay off existing impermissible debts and avoid new ones.
- Scholarly Perspectives: References to Islamic scholars and their rulings on contemporary financial issues.
In conclusion, while Dashly.com’s blog offers practical information for those engaged in conventional mortgages, it fails to provide any guidance or alternatives for individuals seeking to adhere to Islamic financial principles.
For Muslims, such resources, despite their conventional utility, reinforce engagement with an impermissible financial system.
It underscores the ongoing need for dedicated platforms that provide education and solutions entirely rooted in Islamic ethics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on looking at the website, Dashly.com is an online service that provides 24/7 mortgage monitoring, using algorithms to track a user’s existing mortgage and compare it against thousands of market deals to identify potential savings or better rates.
How does Dashly.com find better mortgage deals?
Dashly.com claims to use “always-on algorithms” that track your mortgage daily.
These algorithms compare your current deal with “1,000s of deals that change daily” and take into account “100 other factors” like your property value, outstanding balance, age, and employment length.
Is Dashly.com free for users?
Yes, according to their website, Dashly.com explicitly states, “it’s free for you, forever.” There are no direct costs or subscription fees for the end-user.
How does Dashly.com make money if it’s free for users?
While not explicitly detailed on the homepage, companies offering free services often generate revenue through indirect means, such as receiving commissions or referral fees from mortgage lenders or mortgage advisers when a user switches to a new mortgage deal facilitated by their platform.
Do I need a mortgage adviser to use Dashly.com?
No, you don’t necessarily need an existing mortgage adviser.
While many users are signed up by their advisers, the website states, “If you arrived here on your own or don’t have an adviser, hit this button and we’ll get to work…”
How often does Dashly.com monitor my mortgage?
The website claims its “24/7 Mortgage Monitor’s always-on algorithms track your mortgage every day.”
What kind of information does Dashly.com track about my mortgage?
Dashly.com states it tracks your property value, outstanding mortgage balance, and “100 other factors” including your age, length of employment, and even new developments in your area, alongside comparing against “10,000 other mortgage products.”
Can Dashly.com really save me money on my mortgage?
Based on the case studies provided on their website, such as “Jane” saving £253 per month and “Alf” saving £5,546 per year, Dashly.com claims to have helped users achieve significant savings by identifying better interest rates or preventing them from defaulting to higher Standard Variable Rates SVRs.
What if I’m already on a Standard Variable Rate SVR?
Dashly.com highlights case studies of users like “Alf” who were on an SVR and saved money by switching to a new preferential rate, suggesting the service is beneficial for those currently on higher variable rates.
How do I sign up for Dashly.com?
According to the website, you can sign up by uploading your mortgage details.
If you were referred by your mortgage adviser, they might have already signed you up.
Is Dashly.com secure?
Yes, Dashly.com states it is “certified by a range of independent bodies” including Cyber Essentials, which is a UK government-backed scheme focused on cybersecurity controls.
This indicates a commitment to protecting against common cyber attacks.
Is Dashly.com a Certified B Corporation?
Yes, Dashly.com states it is a Certified B Corporation, which means it meets high standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.
What is Dashly.com’s “Consumer Duty”?
Dashly.com explains that its service supports a mortgage adviser’s Consumer Duty to ensure clients receive the best value from their mortgage.
They emphasize this customer-first approach as part of their company culture.
How do I stop using Dashly.com’s service?
Since the service is “free forever,” there isn’t a traditional cancellation process.
To discontinue, you would likely need to contact Dashly.com’s customer support directly or inform your mortgage adviser who may have signed you up.
Will Dashly.com send me spam emails?
Dashly.com states, “No upselling, no spam. Only mortgage strategies and savings. Monthly updates on your property’s price.
Reassurance that you remain on the right rate.” They promise relevant, valuable content.
What kind of content is on Dashly.com’s blog?
The blog, titled “The truth about mortgages,” features articles on topics such as getting a mortgage when self-employed, renting out homes, improving credit scores, moving house checklists, and explanations of mortgage terms like LTV.
Does Dashly.com offer Islamic finance solutions?
No, based on the website’s content, Dashly.com focuses exclusively on optimizing conventional, interest-based mortgages and does not appear to offer or mention any Sharia-compliant financing alternatives.
What are the ethical concerns for Muslims using Dashly.com?
The primary ethical concern for Muslims is that Dashly.com’s service is built entirely around optimizing interest-based mortgages, which involve Riba interest, explicitly prohibited in Islam.
Even if the service is free and saves money, it facilitates engagement with an impermissible financial system.
How can I get personalized advice from Dashly.com?
Dashly.com indicates that it serves information to your mortgage adviser, who then uses this to offer you personalized advice.
If you don’t have an adviser, they can connect you with one.
Where is Dashly.com located or primarily focused?
While not explicitly stated in the provided text, the use of UK-specific terms like “Standard Variable Rate” SVR, “BTL mortgage,” and UK certifications like Cyber Essentials suggests that Dashly.com is primarily focused on the UK market.
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