Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details. Many UK teams now handle this with dedicated property inventory software.

Major Lenders Adjust Mortgage and Buy-to-Let Rates in May 2026

NatWest, Barclays, Santander, and Darlington Building Society have announced a series of changes to their mortgage and buy-to-let (BTL) rates. The adjustments include both increases and reductions across various loan-to-value (LTV) bands and product types, with changes taking effect from 21 and 22 May 2026.

NatWest has increased selected mortgage rates for both new and existing borrowers, with rises of up to 24 basis points. Notable changes include the fee-free two-year fixed deal at 90% LTV, which has increased from 5.33% to 5.56%, and the 95% LTV equivalent, which has risen by 13 basis points to 5.7%. The 60% LTV purchase product with a £995 fee and two-year fix has increased by 24 basis points to 4.78%. For buy-to-let borrowers, NatWest has raised rates by up to 20 basis points, including the fee-free two-year fixed purchase product at 60% LTV, now at 5.14%. However, NatWest has also reduced its five-year fixed further advance pricing at 75% LTV with a £995 fee by 5 basis points to 4.83%.

Barclays has made reductions primarily across high-LTV mortgages, with the fee-free two-year fix at 95% LTV now at 5.5% and the five-year fixed alternative at 5.32%. The fee-free five-year fix at 90% LTV has been lowered to 5.23%. Selected increases have also been made elsewhere in Barclays’ range.

Santander has announced rate reductions across new business and product transfer deals, effective from 22 May. Selected first-time buyer rates at 85%, 90%, and 95% LTV will be cut by up to 0.23%. For homemovers, selected two-year and all three- and five-year fixed rates will be lowered by up to 0.24%, and all fixed remortgage rates will be cut by up to 0.25%. Reductions of up to 0.1% will be made to all BTL remortgages. Santander will also withdraw all 60% LTVs and most 75% LTV fixed and tracker rates for first-time buyers, including new build.

Darlington Building Society has reduced rates across its residential foreign currency mortgage range by up to 30 basis points. The two-year fix at 80% LTV has been reduced by 20 basis points to 5.39%, and the 90% LTV option has been cut by 30 basis points to 5.79%. The five-year fix at 80% LTV is now 5.39%, and the 90% LTV equivalent is 5.79%.

These changes may impact letting agents and inventory clerks monitoring affordability and mortgage product availability for landlords and tenants.