What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5:30pm Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm Thursday 8am - 5:30pm Friday 8am - 5:30pm

http://www.hampshireandcountry.co.uk/

Hampshire and Country Mortgages, Whiteley (2026)

25/06/2026

Some mortgage rates have been reduced. Is it time to review your options?

There have been encouraging signs in the mortgage market recently, with a number of lenders reducing selected mortgage rates.

This does not mean that every mortgage rate has fallen, or that every borrower will automatically be able to access a lower rate. Mortgage pricing changes regularly and the rate available to you will depend on your individual circumstances, including your income, credit profile, deposit or equity, loan size, property type and the lender’s criteria.

However, recent activity from lenders does suggest that parts of the mortgage market have become more competitive again. For homeowners, buyers and landlords, this could make now a sensible time to review what may be available.

What has happened?

Recent industry reporting shows that several lenders have reduced selected mortgage rates.

Barclays has reduced a range of residential purchase mortgage rates, with selected two, three and five-year fixed-rate products reduced by up to 0.37 percentage points.

Yorkshire Building Society has also reduced selected mortgage rates, while other lenders have made changes across different areas of the market. Recent product updates have reported reductions from lenders including Keystone Property Finance, The Mortgage Lender and Skipton, with some reductions applying to residential products and others applying to buy-to-let or specialist mortgage ranges.

The important word is “selected”. These changes do not mean that all mortgage rates are falling, or that the lowest headline rate will necessarily be the most suitable option. Fees, incentives, early repayment charges, loan-to-value, affordability and lender criteria all need to be considered before deciding what is right for you.

Why do mortgage rates change?

Mortgage rates are influenced by a range of factors. These include the Bank of England base rate, swap rates, lender funding costs, inflation expectations, competition between lenders and the wider economic outlook.

This is why mortgage rates can move even when the base rate itself has not changed. It is also why lenders may reduce some products while leaving others unchanged.

For borrowers, this means it is important to look at the market as it stands today, rather than relying on assumptions about where rates might go next.

What this could mean if your mortgage deal is ending

If your current mortgage deal is due to end within the next six months, it may be worth reviewing your options early.

Many lenders allow borrowers to secure a new rate several months before their current deal ends. This can help give you a clear plan and may reduce the risk of moving onto your lender’s standard variable rate, which is often more expensive than fixed or tracker alternatives.

In some cases, if a better rate becomes available before your new mortgage completes, your adviser may also be able to review the position again. This will depend on the lender, the product and your circumstances.

What this could mean if you are buying a home

If you are buying your first home or moving home, selected rate reductions may help improve affordability, but the overall picture will still depend on your income, deposit, outgoings, credit profile and the property you want to buy.

A lower interest rate can reduce monthly payments, but it is not the only factor to consider. Some lower-rate products come with higher fees, and these may not always offer the best overall value depending on the size of your mortgage and how long you expect to keep the product.

A mortgage broker can help you compare the full cost of different options, not just the headline rate.

Should you wait to see if rates fall further?

It is understandable to wonder whether rates could fall further. The challenge is that mortgage rates can change quickly.

Some lenders may continue to reduce selected products, but rates could also move back up if market conditions change. Inflation data, swap rates, lender appetite and wider economic events can all affect mortgage pricing.

Rather than trying to predict the perfect moment, it is usually better to understand what is available now and keep your options under review.

Speak to a mortgage adviser before making a decision

Recent rate reductions from selected lenders are positive news for some borrowers, but the right mortgage will depend on your personal situation.

Whether you are remortgaging, buying your first home, moving home or investing in a buy-to-let property, getting advice early can help you understand your options and make a more informed decision.

Your home/property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other debt secured on it.

We do not charge a fee for mortgage advice.

Think carefully before securing other debts against your home/property.

The FCA does not regulate some forms of Buy to Lets.

All the information in this article is correct as of the publish date 25th June 2026. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

References:
Financial Reporter (2026). Barclays cuts residential purchase rates by up to 0.37%. [online] Financial Reporter. Available at: https://www.financialreporter.co.uk/barclays-cuts-residential-purchase-rates-by-up-to-037.html [Accessed 23 June 2026].
Mortgage Solutions (2026). Barclays and YBS cut mortgage rates – round-up. [online] Mortgage Solutions. Available at: https://www.mortgagesolutions.co.uk/mortgage-news/2026/06/18/barclays-and-ybs-cut-mortgage-rates-round-up/ [Accessed 23 June 2026].
Mortgage Introducer (2026). UK mortgage rates and product changes (Week ending 19 June 2026). [online] Mortgage Introducer. Available at: https://www.mpamag.com/uk/mortgage-industry/guides/uk-mortgage-rates-and-product-changes-week-ending-19-june-2026/578939 [Accessed 23 June 202

29/05/2025

Renters Right Bill

The Renters’ Rights Bill is expected to become law this year and will introduce significant reforms to the private rented sector in England. The changes are designed to improve tenant rights and raise housing standards, but they also bring new responsibilities for landlords.

This is a good time for landlords to understand what is coming, consider the potential impact on their business, and begin planning accordingly.

Changes to Tenancy Structure

The Bill will abolish Section 21 evictions. This means landlords will no longer be able to end a tenancy without giving a reason. All tenancies will become periodic by default, with tenants able to end their tenancy at any time by giving two months’ notice. Landlords will need to use specific legal grounds if they wish to regain possession of their property.

These grounds include moving into the property, selling it, or responding to tenant behaviour such as rent arrears or antisocial conduct. In some cases, landlords will need to wait twelve months after a tenancy begins before using certain grounds, and must give four months’ notice if they wish to repossess the property to sell or move in.

New Legal Requirements

The Bill introduces a number of new legal obligations. These include:

Joining a mandatory Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman Scheme
Registering on a new national Private Rented Sector Database
Updating tenancy agreements to reflect changes in the law
Considering reasonable requests from tenants to keep pets in the property
Complying with the Decent Homes Standard, which will now apply to the private rented sector
Avoiding rental discrimination against tenants with children or those in receipt of benefits
Ending the practice of rental bidding by setting and advertising a fixed asking rent
Failure to meet these requirements may result in financial penalties, limitations on repossession rights, or legal action.

Financial and Operational Considerations

There may be additional costs and administrative work for landlords. This includes time spent updating tenancy documents, ensuring compliance, and potentially upgrading properties to meet new standards.

However, there are also potential benefits. Tenants who feel secure and well-treated are more likely to remain in a property long term. This can reduce void periods, improve rental income consistency, and reduce arrears. Well-maintained properties that meet modern standards may also retain or increase their value over time.

It is important to note that landlords will still be able to increase rents once per year, in line with market rates, by serving a Section 13 notice. Tenants will have the right to challenge any proposed increase through the First-tier Tribunal if they believe it exceeds market value.

What Landlords Can Do Now

Although the exact implementation date is yet to be confirmed, the Bill is likely to come into force later this year, possibly from October. Landlords should consider taking action now to prepare.

Review tenancy agreements to ensure they reflect the upcoming changes.
Check compliance with minimum housing standards and consider if any upgrades are needed.
Ensure awareness of the new ombudsman and database registration requirements.
Assess your property portfolio to identify underperforming properties or those that may require investment.
Discuss your longer-term strategy with a professional adviser if you are considering refinancing, selling, or restructuring your portfolio.
Supporting Clients Through Change

These reforms are significant, but not unexpected. Landlords have successfully adapted to major regulatory changes in the past decade, and many already meet or exceed the standards being proposed.

The Renters’ Rights Bill seeks to improve outcomes across the private rented sector. With timely preparation and professional support, landlords can navigate the changes with confidence.

08/05/2025

Some good news today, Bank of England has reduced interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, the lowest level for two years.

06/02/2025

The Bank of England Reduces Interest Rates to 4.50%

The Bank of England has announced that interest rates are to be reduced again, this time going down to 4.50%.

This is the second reduction in interest rates in recent times, following a long period of interest rate rises, where they peaked at a 16-year high of 5.25%.

What could the rate reduction announcement mean for my mortgage?

If you have a fixed-rate mortgage then there won’t be any immediate changes, however reductions in the Bank of England base rate may mean that lenders start to offer more attractive deals in the coming months ahead. If you have a fixed-rate mortgage period coming to an end soon, then it’s the ideal time to get in touch to discuss your options accordingly.

If you have a variable-rate mortgage, have a Bank of England tracker mortgage, or are on the Standard Variable Rate (SVR), then you may start to see changes to your monthly mortgage repayments, depending upon your lender and the deal that you have.

Let us see how we can help

We are here to provide you with the advice and guidance you need, and help with any queries you may have. There’s an overwhelming amount of information online, and some of it can be conflicting or confusing, so this is where we are here to help you.

We would recommend that you contact us to let us look at your individual circumstances and provide bespoke information to allow you to make educated decisions.

Contact us for a Review
It’s the ideal time to talk about your mortgage

The mortgage market is constantly evolving, and it’s a great time to start looking at your mortgage, whether you’re looking at moving home or have a remortgage coming up and want to know how much it could cost you.

Chances are, the rates may be considerably different to your last remortgage, however these recent changes may be starting to soften the blow and you may be pleasantly surprised by the options available.

It’s our mission to provide tailored mortgage advice for your exact situation, and can look across a wide range of deals not found on the High Street, so please book an appointment to see how we can help you.

Please note, your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

06/02/2025

Bank of England base rate news

The Monetary policy committee have reduced the Bank of England base rate by 0.25% to 4.50%

If you would like to discuss how this impacts your mortgage please do not hesitate to contact us

06/02/2025

Today is the Bank of England base rate review. We will update you on the outcome this afternoon 🤞

04/02/2025

There’s some potentially good news on the horizon for homeowners and aspiring buyers: the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is considering shaking things up in the mortgage world.

With house prices soaring and affordability feeling like a distant dream, these proposed changes aim to make borrowing simpler, fairer, and more accessible.

If you’ve ever felt the stress of scraping together enough for a deposit or struggled to meet strict lending rules, this could be the break you’ve been waiting for.

What’s Changing?

The FCA is looking to loosen some of the rigid rules around mortgages to help more people get on – or move up – the property ladder. They’re reviewing everything from how much you can borrow to how your affordability is assessed.

For example, did you know that right now, mortgage lenders can only offer a limited number of loans to people borrowing more than 4.5 times their income1? Under the FCA’s plans, that rule might soon be relaxed, potentially giving buyers, especially first-timers, more options. Plus, renters could see their regular payments count towards affordability assessments, finally recognising that if you’ve been paying rent every month, you can probably manage a mortgage too.

If the plans materialise, these changes could mean more people being able to potentially afford the homes they want—whether they’re first-time buyers, upgrading for more space, or looking to downsize.

What It Means for You

Imagine this: Perhaps you’ve outgrown your current home but have been stuck because of the amount of lending available relative to your income, or you have first-time buyers in the family who are currently renting, but unable to get onto the property ladder – these proposed changes aim to address those very frustrations. By making the rules less restrictive, the FCA wants to make it easier for people to buy the home that suits their life.

A Balancing Act

Of course, the experts warn there’s a flip side. Relaxing these rules could mean lenders take on a bit more risk, and not every plan will succeed. However, the FCA’s chief, Nikhil Rathi states that this is about creating opportunities, even if it means taking some calculated risks. For homeowners and buyers, it could represent a chance to access better deals and make homeownership dreams more attainable.

What’s the Catch?

Here’s the reality check: if demand for homes increases but there aren’t enough properties available, property prices could keep rising. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on the supply side of housing too.

So, What’s Next?

If these changes go ahead, it could mark a significant shift in how mortgages work in the UK. Whether you’re looking to move into something a little bigger or have family members looking to take their first steps on the property ladder, the playing field might soon feel a little more even.

Rest assured that we’ll be here to share more information should any of these proposed changes go ahead, and how they may affect you. We’re here to help provide bespoke advice that’s tailor-made to your exact circumstances, so if you’re thinking of moving or looking at opportunities around the corner, please just get in touch and we can review your situation.

Sources

The Guardian (2025) UK mortgage rules could be eased to increase growth. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jan/17/uk-mortgage-rules-growth-fca-home-ownership-ppi [Accessed 20 Jan 2025]
Scottish Business News (2025). Mortgage rules may be loosened to boost borrowing, says FCA. Available at: https://scottishbusinessnews.net/mortgage-rules-may-be-loosened-to-boost-borrowing-says-fca [Accessed 20 Jan 2025]
BBC News (2025). Mortgage lending rules under review: FCA reveals plans. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdryy33v13ko [Accessed 20 Jan 2025]
All the information in this article is correct as of the publish date 30th January 2025. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

Please be aware that by clicking on to any of the above links you are leaving our website. Please note that neither we nor HL Partnership Limited are responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

06/01/2025

Happy New Year
We are now back to our normal working hours. Monday- Friday 9-5pm evening and Saturday appointments also available.

24/12/2024

We are now closed for the Christmas period.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas & and happy new year.

29/11/2024

With a significant surge in demand for homes that are chain-free, the UK property market is buzzing as buyers seek a speedy move to beat the looming stamp duty hike. A recent report by Zoopla highlights that 32% of homes currently on the market are listed as chain-free, a significant draw for those keen to finalise their purchase before the April deadline.

Changes are Coming in April 2025

The reason for this urgency? From 1 April, the threshold at which first-time buyers start paying stamp duty will drop back to £300,000 from its current level of £425,000.2 This change means that a first-time buyer purchasing a property valued at £425,000 would face a stamp duty bill of £6,205, whereas previously they paid none.3 The costs climb even higher for properties priced between £425,000 and £625,000, with buyers facing an additional £11,250.3

Not only first-time buyers but also home movers are affected by the changes. From April, the stamp duty threshold for these buyers will be reduced from £250,000 to £125,000, potentially adding up to £2,500 in extra costs. This has led to a heightened interest in chain-free homes, with Zoopla reporting a 9% spike in views and a 33% increase in buyer enquiries.

The benefits of a chain-free property

Why chain-free? For many, it’s the promise of a smoother, quicker purchase. In a chain-free sale, there’s no need to wait for the seller to find their next home, significantly reducing the chances of delays or the sale falling through. “Now is a great time to look for properties, with more chain-free homes available than in previous months,” said Izabella Lubowiecka, senior property researcher at Zoopla. She adds that many chain-free homes result from circumstances such as inherited properties, investors offloading assets, or households merging from two homes into one.

Additionally, looming council tax hikes for second homes, set to take effect in April 2025, are prompting some investors to sell sooner rather than later. These properties, often marketed as chain-free, may offer an attractive option for those eager to beat the upcoming financial changes. “More investors and second homeowners are choosing to sell due to these policy shifts, adding to the supply of chain-free homes on the market,” notes property expert Matt Thompson of Chestertons.

While a chain-free purchase may expedite the buying process, it often comes with a premium. Sellers, recognising the high demand for chain-free properties, are charging between 3% to 7% more, depending on the property’s location and condition. Based on Halifax’s average property price of £294,000, this could translate to an additional cost of between £8,820 and £20,580.3

For those eager to move quickly and avoid potential stamp duty hikes, paying a little extra for a chain-free home could be worth the investment. However, with demand still outstripping supply, competition remains fierce. As April 2025 approaches, the rush for chain-free properties is only expected to intensify, making this a dynamic and competitive time in the UK property market.

Hampshire and Country Mortgages

25/06/2026

29/05/2025

08/05/2025

06/02/2025

06/02/2025

06/02/2025

04/02/2025

06/01/2025

24/12/2024

29/11/2024

Address

Opening Hours

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request

Monday	8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 5:30pm
Thursday	8am - 5:30pm
Friday	8am - 5:30pm