Mortgage deals lasting just 13 days as market faces sustained volatility
Moneyfacts UK Mortgage Trends Treasury Report data reveals that the average product shelf-life fell to just 13 days in September, down from 14 days in August, as fluctuations in swap rates prompted lenders to repeatedly reprice or withdraw products. However, the figure remains well above the record low of just eight days recorded in April, following the initial impact of the US-Iran conflict.
So far in 2026, mortgage product shelf-life has fallen to an annual average of just 15, with deals disappearing or changing at an unprecedented pace as lenders respond to volatile funding costs.
While previous events, including the COVID pandemic in 2020 and the mini-Budget in 2022, caused significant short-term disruption to the mortgage market, the sustained instability experienced so far throughout 2026 is a significant step change which has already been notably more volatile compared to recent years.
Moneyfacts data shows the annual average shelf-life of a mortgage product has fallen from 43 days in 2019 to just 15 days so far in 2026.
The average shelf-life of a mortgage product fell to 13 days in September, down from 14 days in August.
The average shelf-life across 2026 so far stands at just 15 days, compared with 20 days in 2025 and 34 days in 2020.
Mortgage deals reached a record low shelf-life of just eight days in April, following the initial impact of the US-Iran conflict.
The sustained volatility has been driven by significant movements in swap rates, prompting lenders to repeatedly reprice or withdraw products.
Mortgage market volatility leaves borrowers with little room for error.
Year
Annualised average product shelf-life
2012
33
2013
32
2014
32
2015
33
2016
35
2017
37
2018
40
2019
43
2020
34
2021
29
2022
22
2023
19
2024
21
2025
20
2026*
15
Annualised average number of mortgage products on the market and the annualised average shelf-life of those deals.
Source: Moneyfacts
*Average for 2026 uses data from January to September.
Adam French, Head of Consumer Finance at Moneyfacts, said:
“Brokers and borrowers are navigating the most challenging mortgage market in modern records. Not only have rates been jumping up and down but the deals available today may not be here tomorrow either.
“The average mortgage product is lasting just 15 days on the market so far this year. That leaves borrowers with a much tighter window in which to find, compare and secure a competitive deal compared to any other on record. Previous events, such as the mini-Budget and the COVID pandemic, caused considerable disruption, but the prolonged nature of the volatility we have seen so far this year stands alone.
“Much of this uncertainty comes from the economic volatility being driven by the war in the Middle East. Each rumour of reconciliation or sudden escalation has influenced swap rates which in turn influence the cost of funding fixed-rate mortgages. Lenders have little choice but to reprice their deals or withdraw them altogether when those costs change. Brokers have been working hard to help borrowers navigate this fast-moving market, but it is a tough time for consumers to make confident decisions.
“A borrower who finds a competitive deal may find it has been withdrawn before they are ready to press ahead, while those who delay could face a different rate when they return to the market. It is understandable that consumers may feel frustrated if rates move against them, but they should not beat themselves up if they get the timing wrong. Global uncertainty is making it hard to act with confidence – for many borrowers it is more a case of luck than judgement.
“Anyone approaching the end of a fixed-rate mortgage should consider their options early and speak to a mortgage broker about the deals available to them. Many lenders allow borrowers to secure a new deal three to six months before their existing one ends, which can give some insurance against further rate rises. It is also important to look beyond the headline rate and consider the overall cost of a mortgage, including fees and any conditions attached to the deal.”
