Six ways to bring down costs on rising mortgage rates

Mortgages: Interest rates are expected to rise yet again later this month as the Bank of England continues its efforts to calm inflation: Photo: Matt Crossick/Empics (Empics Entertainment)

Mortgage costs are likely to rise as the Bank of England continues to raise interest rates to tackle inflation.

There are 356,000 homeowners at risk of missing their mortgage payments, and this on top of those who are already behind, according to official figures.

Here we leave with six ways that customers can prepare for, and combat, mortgage rates going up, from consumer body Which?.

1. Assess the impact on your finances

Customers on a tracker mortgage will see an immediate impact on their monthly repayments if there is an interest rate rise.

Those coming to the end of a fixed-term deal will likely be met with double or even triple their current costs when they come to remortgage, as rates will likely be higher than when they first took out a deal.

Read more: Over 700 homeowners a day at risk of missing mortgage payment

Think about how much you can afford to pay each month and whether there's likely to be any change to your income in the short-term. If you're struggling or think you'll struggle to pay your mortgage, seek advice as soon as possible. Speak to your lender and tell them about your issues – there are support options out there.

2. Figure out what type of mortgage suits you

People who are due to remortgage, or are in the process of buying a property, will need to consider what type of mortgage is best to secure.

The majority of homeowners opt for fixed-term deals, as repayments won’t be impacted by interest rate hikes for the duration of the term. The most popular terms last for two, five and 10 years.

There is more risk with a tracker mortgage, as the base rate could potentially continue to rise significantly, but as and when the interest rate falls it could work out cheaper. However, tracker deals often come with a 'collar', which specifies the minimum rate you have to pay. Even if the base rate falls dramatically, you won't pay less than the collar.

3. Hunt for a new deal before your mortgage expires

Be proactive in hunting for a new deal, particularly if you're one of the 1.4 million homeowners whose fixed-term mortgage is coming to an end this year.

When a fixed-rate or tracker mortgage deal ends, you will usually be moved automatically onto your lender's standard variable rate (SVR), where the interest rate will likely be higher. This rate can also be increased at any time, irrespective of what is happening with the base rate.

Before this happens, there is a window to lock in a new deal before your existing one ends. Depending on the lender, you can secure a new deal up to six months in advance. You could make savings on repayments by getting a new mortgage locked in before an interest rate hike - and avoiding an SVR.

Read more: UK mortgages: Millions to face loan repayments beyond retirement age

If you sign up for a new deal a number of months in advance, be sure to check the provider's terms. If you spot a better offer elsewhere before the new mortgage deal starts, some lenders allow you to switch to a cheaper offer right up until you officially remortgage, while others won't allow you to budge.

4. Act quickly to get the best deals

Those in the process of buying a property – or with a mortgage that is up for renewal very soon – might not be able to wait if they are hoping to secure a competitive new mortgage deal.

The cheapest deals are currently below 4%, but many aren't staying on the market for long. Platform and the Co-operative Bank's market-leading 3.75% deals for 60% loan-to-value (LTV) were recently withdrawn, while Nationwide also recently withdrew its sub 4% offers. This may be due to high demand, or lenders pricing in the likely forthcoming base rate rise early.

If you find a competitive deal you're happy with and know you can comfortably afford, it is worth acting quickly before it disappears.

5. Consider overpaying your mortgage

While it isn’t an option for everyone, customers with a repayment mortgage (as opposed to an interest-only deal), can combat the impact of an interest rate hike by overpaying their mortgage which will drive down the cost of the loan – potentially saving thousands in the long run.

Overpaying increases your equity in the property – that is, the proportion of your home that belongs to you. The bigger your equity the lower your loan-to-value when it comes to remortgaging, which can give you access to more competitive rates. For example, rates tend to be cheaper at 85% LTV compared to 90% LTV.

Read more: Bank of England survey shows most expect interest rates to rise

Many lenders allow overpayments of up to 10% per year, but larger overpayments may incur a penalty. However, NatWest has recently doubled its annual overpayment allowance to 20%.

6. Improve your credit score

The mortgage you can get can also be influenced by your credit rating. Those with poor credit scores who are due to apply for a mortgage might not be successful with some lenders, especially those offering the best rates.

To address this now, you can improve your credit rating by taking a number of steps – including updating your address, correcting any mistakes on your credit report and getting on the electoral roll.

Watch: How does inflation affect interest rates?

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