Best Rates
Best mortgage rates this week: Halifax dominates purchase deals with 4.64% leading in April 2026
Halifax is offering the standout purchase rates this week, with 4.64% available at 60% LTV. Nationwide counters with competitive remortgage deals across most LTV bands.
Halifax takes charge of purchase rates
Halifax is dominating the purchase mortgage market this week with aggressive pricing across multiple LTV bands. Their standout offer is a 2-year fixed rate at 4.64% for buyers with a 60% LTV, carrying a £999 arrangement fee. This represents excellent value for borrowers with substantial deposits.
The same lender extends competitive pricing up the LTV ladder: 4.75% for 75% LTV purchases and 4.85% for 85% LTV deals, both on 2-year terms with £999 fees. Halifax's consistency across these bands makes them a reliable first port of call for most purchase clients.
For those seeking longer-term certainty, Halifax also leads on 5-year fixed rates for purchases. Their 4.78% rate at 60% LTV edges ahead of competitors, while the 4.83% and 4.88% rates for 75% and 85% LTV respectively maintain their pricing advantage.
Tracker rates offer sub-4% deals
With the Bank of England base rate at 3.75%, tracker mortgages are showing genuine appeal. With reduced monthly costs due to the low base rate set by the Bank of England, borrowers will have lower monthly repayments. Halifax's purchase tracker at 3.96% for 60% LTV provides the lowest rate across all purchase products this week, with just a £999 arrangement fee.
The tracker mortgage rates show clear progression: 4.08% for 75% LTV, 4.26% for 85% LTV, and 4.57% for 90% LTV. All rates are quoted by Halifax. They represent an instant reduction against the fixed rates available, albeit at the risk.
However, despite the low base rate, this can still pose a risk to borrowers. Unlike a fixed mortgage that isn't directly influenced by the Bank of England base rate, if the base rate was to rise, so would the tracker mortgage, meaning borrowers will need to pay more. It is important to stress-test your financial situation to be able to confirm you will be able to handle to potential rise of the base rate, even though research has found that the Bank of England will "remain cautious", suggesting that the base rate will remain unchanged.
High LTV purchase options tighten
Borrowers with smaller deposits face a different competitive landscape. At 90% LTV, NatWest offers 5.09% on a 2-year fixed with a £995 arrangement fee, while Santander counters with 5.00% on a 5-year term at £999.
The 95% LTV market remains challenging, with Halifax's 5.42% 2-year rate and 5.38% 5-year rate representing the best available options for minimal-deposit buyers. Notably, no lender is currently offering 10-year fixed rates at 95% LTV for purchases.
The implications of this are very evident. High LTV will mean high repayment amounts and reduced product choice. This implies that while the borrower will be in the 90% LTV band, there will be room to be flexible by choosing between a shorter fix or a longer fix depending on interest rate outlook. The 95% LTV band is more restricted in terms of pricing, product innovation, and availability of longer fixed term products.
Buyers with low deposits will therefore be faced with the dilemma of either entering the housing market now with more costs or waiting longer to build equity and access cheaper rates. From this analysis, it is apparent that even small changes in the rate in such LTV bands will have a significant effect on monthly payments.
Nationwide dominates remortgage deals
Nationwide presents a completely different picture in the remortgage market, offering competitive rates across virtually every LTV band and term combination.
Their remortgage pricing starts at 4.71% for a 2-year fixed at 60% LTV, slightly higher than Halifax's purchase equivalent but still highly competitive. The building society's 4.14% tracker rate for 60% LTV remortgages provides the standout deal in this category.
Nationwide's strength becomes more apparent at higher LTVs. Their 4.88% 2-year rate for 85% LTV remortgages compares favourably against Halifax's 4.85% purchase rate, while their 4.98% 5-year equivalent offers longer-term security at a reasonable premium.
Runner-up rates worth considering
Even though Halifax is dominating with its rates on the market, there are several contenders borrowers need to pay attention to. At 60% LTV, NatWest offers 4.82% on a 5-year remortgage fixed rate with a £995 fee, providing an alternative to Nationwide's offering. For 75% LTV remortgages, Santander's 4.89% 5-year fixed rate at £999 comes close to Nationwide's 4.89% equivalent, giving brokers options when one lender's criteria don't align.
One thing is apparent: Lenders are regularly changing their rates. So, it is vital borrowers stay up-to-date so they never miss out on a better opportunity. [RateWatch] is the only provider in the UK offering a live tracking platform where borrowers can make instant comparisons, from one place. Subscribe to RateWatch today.
10-year fixed rates for stability seekers
Borrowers wanting maximum rate security can access 10-year fixed deals. Even though they command high premiums, they offer the stability and locked-in monthly repayments, so borrowers know what they were paying each month, without needing to worry about the Bank of England base rate](/boe-base-rate). Nationwide leads this space with 5.14% for 60% and 75% LTV remortgages, rising to 5.29% at 85% LTV.
Purchase customers face higher 10-year pricing, with Nationwide's 5.19% rates for 60% and 75% LTV increasing to 5.34% at 85% LTV and 5.59% at 90% LTV.
Fee considerations across lenders
Arrangement fees show remarkable consistency this week, with most lenders charging £999. NatWest's £995 fee provides marginal savings, though the £4 difference rarely influences overall affordability calculations.
But, even though every headline will tell you the best things about lenders rates changing, it is important to see how changing lenders can affect your repayments, especially when considering shorter-term fixes where fees represent a larger proportion of total costs.
Market patterns and timing
The data reveals clear market segmentation, with Halifax focusing aggressively on purchase business while Nationwide targets remortgage customers. This suggests both lenders are managing pipeline volumes strategically.
Rate updates from April 22nd show Halifax's recent repricing, while Nationwide's rates date from April 1st, indicating stable pricing from the building society over recent weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose a 2-year or 5-year fixed rate mortgage?
The choice depends on your risk tolerance and rate expectations. Halifax's 2-year purchase rate at 4.64% (60% LTV) is only 0.14% lower than their 5-year equivalent at 4.78%, suggesting modest savings for accepting refinancing risk sooner. If you expect rates to fall significantly, the 2-year option provides flexibility. For stability, the small premium for 5-year certainty may be worthwhile.
Are tracker mortgages worth considering with base rate at 3.75%?
Tracker rates offer compelling savings currently. Halifax's 3.96% purchase tracker (60% LTV) sits 0.68% below their equivalent fixed rate. However, trackers move with base rate changes, so you need comfort that rates won't rise significantly. Given the substantial discount, they merit serious consideration for rate-tolerant borrowers.
How important is the arrangement fee when comparing mortgage rates?
Fees matter most on shorter-term deals and smaller loan amounts. With most lenders charging £999 this week, the fee impact is relatively uniform. On a £300,000 mortgage over 2 years, a £999 fee adds roughly 0.17% to the effective rate. Focus on the total cost over your intended deal period rather than headline rates alone.
Why are remortgage rates different from purchase rates?
Lenders price purchase and remortgage business differently based on risk appetite and pipeline management. This week, Halifax is targeting purchase customers with rates like 4.64% (2-year, 60% LTV), while Nationwide focuses on remortgage business at 4.71% for the same term and LTV. Always check both if you're a home mover considering either route.
What LTV should I target for the best mortgage rates?
Rate improvements are most significant moving from 90% to 85% LTV and again from 75% to 60% LTV. Halifax's purchase rates drop from 5.00% at 90% LTV to 4.85% at 85% LTV, then to 4.75% at 75% LTV and 4.64% at 60% LTV. Each 10-15% deposit increase typically saves 0.10-0.20% on your rate.