Explore how the Autumn Statement may impact mortgage rates and discover key buy to let investment trends shaping the UK property market.
SWAP Rates: Holding Steady, for Now
SWAP rates have remained largely unchanged this week, which is reassuring given the speculation surrounding the Autumn Statement. Two-year SWAPs are currently at 3.67%, slightly down from 3.7% a month ago and significantly lower than 4% this time last year, marking a year-on-year drop of around 0.33%.
Five-year SWAPs sit at 3.74%, slightly elevated compared to last week, but almost identical to one month ago. Compared to a year ago, when five-year SWAPs were at 3.8%, the change is minimal, just a 0.06% decrease. So, while short-term rates show a bit more movement, longer-term rates remain sticky, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in the market.
This stability is good news for fixed mortgage rates, but it’s important to remember that SWAP rates are influenced by government Bond yields and Gilt rates. If the Autumn Statement is poorly received, Gilt rates could rise, potentially pushing up SWAP rates and fixed-rate mortgage pricing.
Lender Pricing: Small Cuts Across the Board
Despite stable SWAP rates, several lenders have made modest rate reductions this week:
- Market Harborough Building Society reduced rates by up to 0.2%
- Family Building Society by up to 0.1%
- Small cuts were also seen from TML, Leeds, TMW, Foundation, and Skipton
These reductions are likely aimed at boosting application volumes rather than reflecting funding cost changes.
Find your next BTL mortgage rate here >>
Lender Criteria: A Win for Limited Company Investors
Aldermore has revised its policy on debentures for Limited Company lending. If your portfolio consists of standard properties (no HMOs or multi-units), they’ll no longer require a debenture, removing a layer of legal complexity and cost. This change aligns Aldermore with other lenders and makes their offering more attractive to landlords using company structures.
Autumn Statement: Should You Lock in a Rate Now?
The Autumn Statement could go one of two ways: if well-received, Gilt rates may fall, leading to lower SWAP rates and cheaper mortgages; if poorly received, Gilt rates could rise, pushing up SWAP rates and fixed mortgage pricing.
Landlords can protect themselves by applying for a fixed rate now, even if they don’t need the mortgage for several months. Many offers are valid for up to six months, and most lenders allow you to switch to a lower rate before completion if pricing improves.
Find your next BTL mortgage rate here >>
Discussion with MT Finance: Decent Home Standards & Valuations
In a recent chat with Marylen Edwards from MT Finance, we discussed how the upcoming Decent Home Standards could positively impact property valuations. Marelyn suggested that if these standards are applied consistently, like room size rules for HMOs, they could reduce the subjectivity in valuation reports. Instead of relying on a valuer’s personal opinion, the focus would shift to whether a property meets defined criteria, potentially leading to fairer and more predictable outcomes for landlords.
Watch the full Meet the Lender interview with MT Finance >>
Hamptons Report: Where Are Landlords Buying?
A recent Hamptons lettings index reveals that millennials (individuals born between 1981 and 1996) now account for 50% of shareholders in new buy to let Limited Companies. Investor activity is booming in the North East, where 28.4% of homes sold in Q3 2025 were bought by landlords, compared to just 8% in London. Nationally, landlords made up 11.3% of property purchases in Q3, slightly up from last year. The South of England now accounts for just 34% of investor purchases, down from 50% in 2016.
Final Thoughts
With SWAP rates stable but the Autumn Statement looming, now is a smart time for landlords to review their mortgage options. And with investor activity shifting northwards, there may be opportunities to rethink your buy to let strategy, especially if you're considering Limited Company lending.
Find your next BTL mortgage rate here >>
Next Steps
Staying informed is key to making confident decisions in today’s mortgage market.
For tailored advice call us on 0345 345 6788 or submit an enquiry here and one of our team will call you back.
