Best Rates
Best Mortgage Rates This Week: April 2026 – Tracker Deals Lead as Fixed Rates Rise
Halifax tracker mortgages lead this week's best rates from 3.96%, while Nationwide dominates fixed-rate lending across all LTV tiers. Tracker deals offer compelling value at just 0.21% above base rate for low LTV borrowers.
Mortgage rates continue their upward trajectory this week, with the Bank of England base rate sitting at 3.75%. Despite this challenging environment, competitive deals remain available for borrowers across all loan-to-value tiers, with tracker mortgages emerging as the standout performers.
Halifax has seized the spotlight with exceptionally competitive tracker rates, whilst Nationwide dominates the fixed-rate landscape. Here's our comprehensive breakdown of the best available rates as of Saturday 4th April 2026.
Best Rates for House Purchase and Home Movers
60% LTV Purchase Deals
Halifax leads with their tracker at 3.96%, charging a £999 arrangement fee. This represents outstanding value at just 0.21% above the base rate, making it the clear winner for borrowers comfortable with rate variability.
For fixed-rate security, Nationwide offers a 2-year fix at 4.71% with a £999 fee. Their 5-year option sits marginally higher at 4.85%, whilst their 10-year deal reaches 5.19% – all carrying the same arrangement fee structure.
75% LTV Purchase Options
The pattern continues at 75% LTV, with Halifax's tracker climbing to 4.08% (£999 fee) – still representing exceptional value. Nationwide's fixed rates increase slightly: their 2-year fix moves to 4.82%, the 5-year to 4.90%, and the 10-year remains at 5.19%.
85% LTV Purchase Deals
At higher borrowing levels, Halifax maintains competitiveness with their 4.26% tracker. Nationwide's fixed options see modest increases: 4.88% for 2 years, 4.98% for 5 years, and 5.34% for 10 years.
90% LTV Purchase Market
The 90% LTV sector shows interesting variation. For 2-year fixes, NatWest edges ahead with 5.18% and a £995 arrangement fee, undercutting Nationwide by a meaningful margin. However, Nationwide reclaims leadership in the 5-year space at 5.09%, with their 10-year extending to 5.59%.
Halifax's tracker at 4.57% remains the standout choice for rate-flexible borrowers.
95% LTV Purchase Products
High LTV borrowing sees Nationwide offering both 2-year (5.63%) and 5-year (5.64%) fixes at virtually identical rates – unusual pricing that suggests their 5-year represents better value. No 10-year products exist at this tier.
Notably, Nationwide's 95% LTV tracker at 4.89% offers significant savings over their fixed alternatives for borrowers accepting rate risk.
Best Remortgage Rates
Lower LTV Remortgage Advantages
Remortgage customers enjoy slightly better pricing in several categories. At 60% LTV, whilst Nationwide matches their purchase rates for 2-year fixes (4.71%), Santander provides the best 5-year remortgage rate at 4.83% – undercutting Nationwide's 4.85% purchase rate.
Nationwide's 10-year remortgage rate drops to 5.14% compared to 5.19% for purchases, and their tracker sits at 4.14% versus Halifax's 3.96% purchase tracker.
75% LTV Remortgage Pricing
Similar patterns emerge at 75% LTV, with Santander's 5-year remortgage at 4.89% beating Nationwide's 4.90% purchase equivalent. Nationwide's 10-year remortgage improves to 5.14%, matching their 60% LTV pricing.
Higher LTV Remortgage Considerations
At 85% and 90% LTV, remortgage rates generally align with purchase pricing, though Nationwide's 10-year products show marginal improvements for existing homeowners.
Market Analysis and Standout Features
Halifax's tracker dominance reflects aggressive pricing from the Lloyds Banking Group subsidiary. These products typically include rate guarantees and may offer payment holidays or other flexibility features that aren't immediately apparent from headline rates.
Nationwide's comprehensive presence across all categories and LTV tiers demonstrates their commitment to mortgage market leadership. Their building society status often translates to more flexible lending criteria and enhanced customer service.
NatWest's appearance in the 90% LTV 2-year space suggests targeted competition for higher-risk lending, possibly supported by enhanced affordability assessments or property type flexibility.
Important Caveats and Restrictions
These headline rates come with several important considerations:
- Halifax trackers typically require minimum household incomes of £75,000 and may exclude certain property types including flats above commercial premises
- Nationwide's products often provide preferential rates for existing customers and may include free valuations worth up to £1,500
- NatWest's competitive 90% LTV rate likely requires clean credit histories and may exclude Help to Buy properties
- All rates assume standard residential properties with clear titles and may not apply to new builds or non-standard construction
Professional advice remains crucial, particularly given the complex interplay between arrangement fees, cashback offers, and ongoing rate differentials. Our mortgage comparison tool can help identify products matching your specific circumstances.
Rate Outlook and Timing Considerations
With the Bank of England base rate at 3.75%, tracker mortgages offer compelling value but carry inherent rate risk. Fixed rates provide certainty but at a premium reflecting market expectations of future rate movements.
Current pricing suggests lenders anticipate continued base rate stability or modest increases, making medium-term fixes potentially attractive for borrowers seeking rate security without excessive premiums.
For detailed lender information and specific product features, explore our comprehensive guides including Nationwide, Halifax, and NatWest lending criteria and exclusive offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose the lowest rate regardless of the lender?
Not necessarily. While rate is crucial, consider the lender's service quality, processing times, and flexibility. Nationwide typically offers excellent customer service and may provide free valuations, while Halifax trackers include rate guarantees. Check lending criteria too – the cheapest rate means nothing if you don't qualify.
Are arrangement fees worth paying for better rates?
Most competitive rates carry £999 arrangement fees, but this can be worthwhile on larger mortgages. On a £300,000 mortgage, paying £999 for a rate 0.15% lower saves approximately £450 annually, recovering the fee in just over two years. Always calculate the total cost over your intended mortgage term.
How does my LTV ratio affect available rates?
LTV dramatically impacts pricing. At 60% LTV, you can access Halifax's 3.96% tracker, but at 95% LTV, the best tracker rises to 4.89%. Each 15% LTV increase typically adds 0.12-0.30% to rates. If possible, aim for 75% LTV or lower to access the most competitive deals.
Should I fix my mortgage rate or choose a tracker in the current market?
With base rates at 3.75%, Halifax's trackers starting at 3.96% offer compelling value – just 0.21% above base rate. However, trackers carry rate risk if base rates rise. Fixed rates provide certainty but cost more: Nationwide's 2-year fix starts at 4.71%. Choose trackers if you can handle payment increases, fixes if you need budgeting certainty.
Do remortgage customers get better rates than house purchasers?
Sometimes. Santander offers remortgage customers 5-year fixes from 4.83% versus Nationwide's 4.85% for purchases. Nationwide also provides better 10-year remortgage rates. However, differences are typically modest (0.02-0.05%). The main advantage for remortgaging is often avoiding early repayment charges and accessing equity growth.