With the cost of living increasing and inflation at 5.4%* the Bank of England has increased their base Lending Rate to 0.5%.This will no doubt mean that lenders will increase the rates available for mortgages.

If you have taken out a new mortgage in the last 10 years you will have benefited from the low interest rates that have been available. But if you are looking to move home or your deal is ending, then the rates available will be higher than you have been paying. The rates available from lenders vary depending on the size of deposit you have available or the equity in your home (if remortgaging) with lower rates available the more equity/deposit you have.

The other impact due to the higher rates of interest and cost of living is loan size available. Lenders use affordability calculations to work out the size of loan they will offer, and these calculations consider living costs, loan/card payments and interest rates to determine the size of mortgage. Most lenders will use figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) for living costs and with these on the rise lenders will be adjusting their affordability calculations.

There is no standard formula for affordability with the loan size varying between lenders.

If your mortgage deal is ending or you want to move to a new home, then get in touch and we can review the mortgage options available to ensure that you get the best rate for your individual preferences and assess the loan size available from lenders.

Email david@portfs.co.uk

Telephone David on 01224 679330

*(ONS CPI rate for 12months to December 2021)

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.