Allows you to benefit from a discount on the lender’s standard variable rate. If the lender’s standard variable rate (SVR) increases or decreases, so does the discounted rate. For example, if the lender’s SVR is 3.5% and they offer a discount of 1.5% for two years, you will start off by paying 2.0%. If the lender’s SVR increases to 4.0% after 6 months, you will pay 2.5%. Typically, the shorter the discounted period the larger the discount.
Benefits
• You can make a saving on the lender’s standard variable rate
• If the lender’s standard variable rate falls, you will benefit from a similar fall in interest rate
Drawbacks
• If the lender’s standard variable rate rises, so does your monthly payments which can make budgeting difficult
• There is an element of uncertainty
• The lender may increase their mortgage rates independently to any changes to the Bank of England base rate
• Early repayment charges are likely to apply for at least the term of the discount period
• There is generally an arrangement or booking fee payable, your adviser will let you know what these are before you go ahead
• After the discount period ends, you will normally have to pay the lender’s standard variable rate – so there may be a large increase in your monthly payments
If you do not keep up with your monthly repayments lenders could repossess your home.