The latest UK Mortgage Market Update covering the week ending 20th July 2026, including mortgage rates, lender changes, house prices and the latest property market news.
UK Mortgage Market Update – 20th of July 2026
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Articles by
Louis Mason
Louis Mason
Louis Mason is Marketing and Communications Director at Oportfolio Mortgages and has more than ten years of experience working within financial services. Louis oversees Oportfolio’s marketing and communications, producing and managing mortgage-related content across the website, including guides, news articles, market commentary and case studies. He works closely with Oportfolio’s mortgage advisers and other industry professionals to turn complex mortgage and property topics into clear, accessible information for borrowers. His writing covers a broad range of subjects including mortgage affordability, first-time buyers, remortgaging, buy-to-let, high-net-worth and complex mortgages, lender criteria and developments in the UK mortgage and property markets.
New-Build Mortgage Case Study: Buying Off-Plan
Buying a new-build home can present unique mortgage challenges. Discover how we helped a client secure their mortgage before construction was complete and kept their purchase on track.
Remortgaging To Release Equity
For many homeowners, a large amount of wealth is tied up in their property. As property prices have increased over time and mortgage balances have reduced, many borrowers now have substantial equity in their homes. Remortgaging to release equity allows homeowners to...
Why Use A Mortgage Broker Instead Of A Bank
When it comes to securing a mortgage for your dream home, you have two primary options: working with a mortgage broker or going directly to a bank or lender. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, and the decision of whether to go to a mortgage broker or...
NatWest Buy-To-Let Stress Rate Reduced
In a move that is set to benefit landlords and property investors across the UK, NatWest has recently unveiled some reductions in their Buy-to-Let stress rate tests. The adjustments, which come into effect immediately, reflect NatWest's commitment to supporting the...
New NatWest Criteria for Non-UK Nationals Purchasing in the UK
In a recent move that is set to simplify the mortgage application process for non-UK nationals, NatWest has unveiled a new policy change concerning the use of share codes in conjunction with passports. This new change to NatWest's criteria opens up new possibilities...
Understanding TSB’s Mortgage Affordability Criteria
Buying a home is a significant financial milestone, and securing a mortgage is often a crucial step in this process. TSB, a prominent retail and commercial bank, has established a set of mortgage affordability criteria to ensure that potential borrowers can...
Pros and Cons of Buying Property With Friends or Family
Purchasing a residential house is a significant milestone in anyone's life, often symbolising financial stability and personal achievement. However, the soaring property prices in recent years have made this dream a bit more challenging to attain. Mortgage...
Understanding BM Solutions Mortgage Affordability For Buy-to-Lets
Owning a property is an aim held by many, and owning further properties to rent out and earn a secondary income is a dream that can become a reality, with the right mortgage partner and broker. In this blog post, we'll explore the realm of mortgage affordability with...
Virgin Introduces New Mortgage Products Whilst Retiring Others
In an effort to adapt to the ever changing UK mortgage market, Virgin Money, the banking arm of Richard Branson's Virgin Group, is set to launch a series of new mortgage products today (23rd of August 2023). These offerings cater to a range of borrowers, from...
Leeds Building Society Cuts Mortgage Rates for Select Products
Leeds Building Society, a prominent name in the mortgage industry, has recently announced a move to reduce mortgage rates for certain products, aiming to provide enhanced financial benefits to potential homebuyers and homeowners. The institution's decision to adjust...
HSBC Reduce Rates On Entire Product Range
In a significant development for the mortgage market, HSBC has revealed upcoming changes to its mortgage product ranges that are set to take effect from this Wednesday, the 23rd of August 2023. These updates will impact both residential borrowers and Buy-to-Let (BTL)...
Strain Felt By London Homeowners as 1/3 Face Mortgage Struggles
London homeowners are facing a mounting financial challenge as new analysis by City Hall reveals that a significant portion, one third to be exact, feel that they are at risk of struggling to meet their mortgage payments over the next six months. This distressing...
Skipton Slashes Rates on 100% Mortgages
Several months ago, we reported that Skipton Building Society, a prominent name in the mortgage market, were launching 100% mortgages to new borrowers. Essentially allowing borrowers to get a mortgage on a property without putting down the normal minimum 5% deposit....
The Importance of Remortgaging and Product Switching
In a pretty daunting announcement for the UK mortgage market, data from the CACI Mortgage Market Database revealed that a staggering £111 billion worth of residential mortgages and £15.8 billion of Buy-to-Let mortgages are set to mature before the end of the year....
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