How Tracker Mortgages Work
A tracker mortgage has an interest rate linked to the Bank of England base rate at a set margin. For example, base rate plus 1% means if the base rate is 4.5%, you pay 5.5%. When the Bank of England changes rates, your mortgage rate automatically adjusts - your payments decrease when rates fall and increase when they rise.
Most trackers have a defined term (commonly 2-5 years), after which you move to the SVR. Some lenders offer lifetime trackers that continue for your entire mortgage term. The margin above base rate varies between lenders and depends on factors like LTV and credit profile.
Transparency and Flexibility
Tracker mortgages offer transparency - you always know exactly how your rate is calculated based on an external, published rate. There's no discretion involved from the lender. If the base rate falls, you benefit immediately without needing to remortgage.
Many trackers come with lower or no early repayment charges, offering more flexibility than fixed rates. This suits borrowers who might need to move or remortgage during their deal period.
Risks of Tracker Mortgages
The flip side of automatic adjustments is that your payments rise when the base rate increases. Unlike fixed rates, there's no ceiling on how high your rate could go. Before choosing a tracker, consider whether you could afford significantly higher payments if rates rose by 2-3%.
Some tracker mortgages include floors or collars - minimum rates below which your interest can't fall. Check terms carefully to understand any limitations that might apply.
When to Consider a Tracker
Trackers suit borrowers comfortable with some payment variability who want transparency and flexibility. They can work well if you believe rates are likely to stay stable or fall, or if you need the option to remortgage without facing significant ERCs.
Our brokers can compare tracker deals across the market and help you assess whether the flexibility benefits outweigh the rate uncertainty risks for your circumstances.