Live mortgage rate tracker  ·  Updated daily from the Bank of England

Whereratesactually stand.

Indicative average rates across residential, buy-to-let, expat, and bridging products — fetched daily from the Bank of England. These are market averages. Your actual rate will depend on your loan-to-value, income profile, and the lender we place you with.
Last updated
April 2026
Fetched daily from the Bank of England.
Rates reflect the current lending environment.
Live data
Indicative averages only Updated daily · Bank of England data 40+ lenders tracked Whole-of-market access
Bank of England base rate
4.25%
Set March 2025 · Next MPC decision: May 2026
Peak (Aug 2023)
5.25%
14-year high
Change since peak
-1.50%
Four cuts to date
Market expectation
3.75%
End of 2026
MARKET CONTEXT -->
Market context

The direction is clear.
The timing is everything.

The Bank of England has cut four times since August 2024, with the base rate now at 4.25%. Markets expect further reductions through 2026 — but swap rates, which drive fixed mortgage pricing, have been volatile. Lenders are not passing every cut through immediately or uniformly. The result: the difference between the right lender and the wrong one is currently significant. Five-year fixes offer strong value right now. Expat and non-resident pricing has narrowed considerably as more lenders enter the space.

Fixed vs tracker

Five-year fixes are the standout product right now. Pricing is below 4% for strong borrowers — a level not seen since 2022. Trackers offer upside if cuts accelerate, but fixing removes the risk of an unexpected reversal.

Buy-to-let market

Stress testing continues to define who gets the best BTL rates. Most lenders require 125–145% rental cover at a notional 5.5%. Specialist lenders assess this differently — for portfolio landlords and limited company applicants, lender selection is everything.

Expat & overseas

The expat and overseas premium has narrowed considerably. More lenders are entering this space — particularly for UK nationals abroad — and rates have improved markedly from 2023 highs. How international income is packaged and presented still determines the outcome.

Bridging & short-term

Bridging rates have fallen from their 2023 peak. Lender competition has intensified and monthly rates are at their most competitive in years. For most bridging clients, speed and certainty of funds matters more than rate — both are strong right now.

Expert view
N
Nathan Lawes
Director & Principal Adviser
Lawes Financial
Updated April 2026
"Five-year fixes below 4% represent genuine value — the kind of pricing we haven't seen since late 2022. Clients who waited through the rate cycle are now in a position to act. The question isn't whether rates are good. It's whether your profile is in the right shape to take advantage of them."
Opportunity The 5-year fixed market is at its most competitive since 2022. For clients with a clear profile and good LTV, locking in now eliminates the uncertainty of waiting for further cuts that may take longer than expected to materialise.
Watch point Swap rate volatility means lender pricing can move quickly — and not always downward. A rate that looks available today may be repriced within days. Getting an Agreement in Principle early protects your position while you shop for a property.
Caution BTL stress testing remains strict despite falling rates. Many landlords are finding that lenders' affordability calculations still don't stack up without a significant deposit or strong rental income. Specialist lender selection is doing more work than ever in these cases.

Every case Nathan works on is handled personally — from first conversation to completion. No junior advisers, no handoffs.

Speak with Nathan
Expert view
N
Nathan Lawes
Director & Principal Adviser
Lawes Financial
Updated April 2026
"Five-year fixes below 4% represent genuine value — the kind of pricing we haven't seen since late 2022. Clients who waited through the rate cycle are now in a position to act. The question isn't whether rates are good. It's whether your profile is in the right shape to take advantage of them."
Opportunity The 5-year fixed market is at its most competitive since 2022. For clients with a clear profile and good LTV, locking in now eliminates the uncertainty of waiting for further cuts that may take longer than expected to materialise.
Watch point Swap rate volatility means lender pricing can move quickly — and not always downward. A rate that looks available today may be repriced within days. Getting an Agreement in Principle early protects your position while you shop for a property.
Caution BTL stress testing remains strict despite falling rates. Many landlords are finding that lenders' affordability calculations still don't stack up without a significant deposit or strong rental income. Specialist lender selection is doing more work than ever in these cases.

Every case Nathan works on is handled personally — from first conversation to completion. No junior advisers, no handoffs.

Speak with Nathan
Decision guide

Should you act now
or wait?

There's no single right answer — it depends entirely on your situation. Here's an honest framework to help you think it through.

Recommended now
Consider waiting
If timing genuinely allows it.
Waiting only makes sense if your current deal hasn't yet expired, you're not on the SVR, and you're genuinely comfortable monitoring the market. Waiting on speculation alone is rarely the right call.
  • Further base rate cuts expected in 2026
  • Could access even better pricing in 6–12 months
  • Swap rates can move against you unpredictably
  • Being on the SVR while waiting costs real money
  • Timing the bottom of a rate cycle is rarely successful
Current SVR range7.0% – 8.5%
Calculate your options
Recommended now
Go tracker
If you can absorb the risk.
A tracker rate lets you benefit from every future base rate cut automatically, with no early repayment charges. The trade-off: you also absorb any rises. Suited to those with flexibility and appetite for variability.
  • Benefits from each base rate cut immediately
  • No ERC — full flexibility to exit or switch
  • Currently higher than the 5yr fixed equivalent
  • Upward risk if base rate reverses course
  • Monthly payments vary — harder to budget around
Current tracker rateLoading...
Discuss tracker options

This is general guidance, not personal advice. The right answer for you depends on your specific financial situation. Speak with Nathan for a recommendation based on your circumstances.

Not sure where you stand?

Rates are only half the picture.
Your profile is the other half.

The rate you can actually access depends on your income, your deposit, your lender — and how your case is presented. Our 9-question assessment tells you where you stand in under 3 minutes.

Mortgage readiness quiz
Find out if you're ready — and what to do next
Talk to Nathan directly
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These rates are indicative market averages only and do not represent a personalised quote or offer. The rate you receive will depend on your loan-to-value ratio, income type, credit history, property type, and the lender's current criteria — all of which vary significantly. Rates are sourced from publicly available lender data and market indices. Lawes Financial Limited (FCA No. 1046161) is an appointed representative of Andrew Charles Consulting Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Get your actual rate

Numbers on a page
are just a starting point.

Every rate on this page is a market average. What you can actually access depends on your income, your loan-to-value, and which lender suits your profile. Speak with Nathan for a clear, honest picture — no commitment required.

FCA regulated · Whole-of-market · Independent advice