A fixed rate mortgage is a home loan whose interest rate stays the same for a set initial period, commonly two or five years. Monthly payments are unchanged for that term regardless of movements in the Bank of England base rate.
The SVR, or standard variable rate, is the default mortgage interest rate a lender charges once an initial fixed or tracker deal ends. Each lender sets its own SVR and can change it at any time, so it is usually higher than introductory rates.
LTV, or loan to value, is the size of a mortgage expressed as a percentage of the property's value. A 180,000 GBP loan on a 200,000 GBP home gives an LTV of 90%, with the remaining 10% covered by the deposit.
UK mortgage statistics for 2026: outstanding balances, monthly approvals, effective interest rates, arrears, possessions, loan-to-value and first-time buyer figures, sourced from the Bank of England, FCA and UK Finance.
How a joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage works in the UK, why families use it to boost borrowing without putting a helper on the title, the stamp duty implications and surcharge considerations, and which lenders offer it.
What a no chain or chain-free property means in the UK, why these purchases are usually faster and less likely to collapse, when no chain can be misleading, and how to verify a seller's chain status before proceeding.
What happens between exchange of contracts and completion when buying a home in England and Wales, the deposit and binding contract, the typical gap, what can go wrong if a party pulls out, and insurance from exchange.
A UK mortgage calculator shows your monthly payment, total interest and affordability. How mortgage calculators work, what affects the result and how to use one effectively.
A complete remortgage guide covering when to remortgage, how the process works, what it costs and how to find the best remortgage deal in 2026.
Stamp duty rates differ across England, Scotland and Wales. A complete stamp duty calculator guide covering SDLT, LBTT and LTT rates, thresholds and how to calculate your bill.
Equity release lets older homeowners access property wealth without selling. How lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans work, costs, risks and alternatives explained.
A loan overpayment calculator shows how extra payments reduce the outstanding balance and total interest on a personal loan. How it works and when overpaying makes sense.
Help to Buy closed to new applicants in 2022-23. What replaced Help to Buy, the current alternatives and how to get on the property ladder without it.
Property development finance funds the purchase and build costs of development projects. Types of development finance, how rates work and what lenders assess explained.
A buy to let mortgage finances a property you plan to rent out. How buy to let mortgages work, current rates, eligibility criteria and the application process explained.
Porting a mortgage means transferring your existing rate to a new property when you move. How porting works, when it makes sense and what happens if you need to borrow more.
A bridging loan provides short-term property finance while a longer-term solution is arranged. How bridging loans work, current rates, costs and when they make sense.
Conveyancing fees cover the legal work of transferring property ownership. What conveyancing costs in 2026, what is included and how to find competitive quotes.
Wales does not have stamp duty - it uses Land Transaction Tax (LTT). Current LTT rates, thresholds, first time buyer position and how to calculate your bill.
A mortgage application typically takes 2 to 6 weeks from submission to formal offer. How long each stage takes, what causes delays and how to speed up the process.
Remortgaging to release equity lets you borrow against your home's value for home improvements, debt consolidation or other purposes. How the process works and what to watch for.
A mortgage broker searches the market on your behalf to find the best deal. What mortgage brokers do, how they charge, the difference between types and how to choose one.
UK mortgage rates in 2026 explained - what drives them, how fixed and tracker rates compare, and how to find the best rate for your circumstances.
A complete first time buyer guide covering every step from saving a deposit to getting the keys. Schemes, costs, mortgage options and the buying process explained.
A house valuation estimates what your property is worth. How house valuations work, what they cost, the different types and how accurate they are.
A retirement interest only mortgage (RIO) lets older borrowers pay interest monthly with the capital repaid when the property is sold. Who qualifies, rates and alternatives.
A limited company mortgage finances buy-to-let properties through a special purpose vehicle. Tax advantages, rates, lender criteria and how SPV mortgages work explained.
A remortgage typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from application to completion. How long does a remortgage take, what affects the timeline and how to speed up the process.
A homebuyers survey assesses a property's condition before purchase. Types of house survey, what each covers, typical costs and whether you need one alongside a mortgage valuation.
A decision in principle takes 5 to 15 minutes online, lasts 30 to 90 days, uses a soft credit check at most lenders and converts to a full mortgage roughly 90 to 95% of the time when the stated information holds. It is not a mortgage offer.
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