Mortgages

Mortgage Types

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Written by Mark Langshaw Reviewed by Lee Trett

Updated 24 January 2026 Fact-checked

24 January 2026

Hub page introduction, criteria and FAQs added

12 December 2024

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A quick overview of mortgage types

There are many different kinds of mortgages in the UK but most can be broadly split into two types: residential, for buying a home to live in, or investment, for purchasing property that you intend to make a profit on, either by letting it out or selling it in the short term.

However, mortgages can also be divided into various subcategories, including product type, such as fixed or tracker rate, and repayment type, such as capital repayment or interest-only.

Popular mortgage types in the UK

The most common types of mortgage you will find available from UK lenders include:

  • Residential mortgages

  • Buy-to-let mortgages

  • Fixed-rate mortgages (product type)

  • Tracker mortgages (product type)

  • Capital repayment mortgages (repayment type)

  • Interest-only mortgages (repayment type)

  • Self-build mortgages (for building a property)

  • Offset mortgages (specialist product type)

Mortgage Type

How it Works

Fixed Rate Mortgages

Your interest rate is locked for a set period (e.g., 2, 3, 5, or 10+ years), meaning your monthly payments remain exactly the same regardless of market changes.

Interest-Only Mortgages

You only pay the interest due each month, not the loan balance. The capital debt remains the same and must be paid off as a lump sum at the end of the term.

Tracker Rate Mortgages

A variable rate mortgage where the interest rate "tracks" the Bank of England Base Rate plus a set percentage, so your payments rise or fall when the Base Rate changes.

Dutch-Style Mortgages

A long-term fixed mortgage where the interest rate automatically falls as your balance decreases and you move into a lower Loan-to-Value (LTV) band.

Part Interest Part Repayment

A hybrid deal where you pay part of the loan on a repayment basis (clearing capital) and the other part on an interest-only basis to lower monthly costs.

Green Mortgages

Products that offer lower interest rates or cashback to borrowers buying energy-efficient homes (typically Energy Performance Certificate rating A or B) or making eco-friendly improvements.

Offset Mortgages

Links your mortgage to your savings account. You don't earn interest on the savings, but the savings balance is deducted from your mortgage debt when calculating interest, lowering your monthly payment or term.

Capped Rate Mortgages

A variable rate mortgage with a "ceiling" or cap. Your rate can move up and down, but it will never go higher than a specifically set maximum rate.

Cashback Mortgages

A mortgage that pays you a lump sum of cash upon completion. This can help with moving costs or furnishings, but the interest rate is often slightly higher than standard deals.

Discounted Rate Mortgages

A variable rate deal where the interest rate is set at a fixed "discount" below the lender’s standard variable rate (SVR) for a specific period.

Enhanced Lifetime Mortgage

A form of equity release where people with certain medical conditions or lifestyle factors (like smoking) can release more cash or get a better rate due to reduced life expectancy.

Family Springboard Mortgages

Allows a family member to help you buy a home with a 0% deposit by placing 10% of the property value into a savings account as security, which they get back with interest after a set time.

Flexible Mortgages

Deals that offer features like the ability to overpay, underpay, or take payment holidays without incurring early repayment charges.

Large Mortgages

Specialist loans designed for high-net-worth individuals borrowing significant sums (often over £1 million), where lenders look at assets and bonuses rather than just standard income multiples.

Repayment Mortgages

The standard mortgage type where your monthly payment covers the interest and pays off a portion of the debt, ensuring the loan is fully cleared by the end of the term.

Retirement Interest-Only (RIO)

Similar to a standard interest-only mortgage but designed for older borrowers. There is no fixed end date; the loan is repaid when you die or move into care.

Variable Rate Mortgages

Any mortgage where the interest rate can change. This includes the lender’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR), which they can change at their discretion.

How each mortgage type works

This table offers a quick snapshot of how the most popular mortgage product and repayment types in the UK work.

Read our detailed articles on each type to learn more.

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More articles related to Mortgage Types

Usually, you cannot switch types (e.g., from fixed to tracker) without remortgaging. If you are within a fixed-rate period, leaving early will likely incur an Early Repayment Charge (ERC). However, many mortgages are "portable," meaning you can transfer the same rate and terms to a new property if you move house.

When your deal ends, you will automatically be moved onto your lender’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR), which is usually significantly higher than market rates. To avoid this payment hike, it is recommended that you remortgage or switch to a new deal (product transfer) with your current lender before your current term expires.

A fixed-rate mortgage guarantees that your interest rate and monthly payments will stay exactly the same for a set period (e.g., 2, 3, or 5 years), offering security against rate rises. A variable-rate mortgage (such as a tracker or discount deal) has an interest rate that can go up or down, meaning your monthly payments can change, often in line with the Bank of England Base Rate.

It depends on your need for flexibility versus stability. A short-term fix (e.g., 2 years) offers flexibility if you plan to move or expect rates to fall soon, but you will need to remortgage sooner. A long-term fix (e.g., 5 or 10 years) locks in your payment for a decade, protecting you from future rate hikes, but often comes with high early repayment charges if you want to leave the deal early.

Get a FREE interest-only mortgage rate comparison here

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Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it.

If you are thinking of consolidating existing borrowing you should be aware that you may be extending the terms of the debt and increasing the total amount you repay.

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