What People in Your Situation Are Facing Right Now
These are illustrative — your exact rate, term, and balance change the number significantly. That's the point of the calculator above: generic warnings don't tell you what's actually about to happen to your finances.
£150,000 balance
…
2% fix → 7.5% SVR
£250,000 balance
…
2% fix → 7.5% SVR
£400,000 balance
…
2% fix → 7.5% SVR
Figures above are calculated live using a standard 25-year repayment mortgage, moving from a 2% fixed rate to a 7.5% Standard Variable Rate — they're illustrative scenarios, not a guarantee. Your own rate, balance, and remaining term will produce a different number. That's exactly what the calculator above works out for you.
How Much Warning Do You Actually Have?
Most homeowners find out how bad it is far too late — often the month the higher payment actually hits their account. You usually have more room to act than that:
- Most lenders let you lock in a new deal 3-6 months before your fix ends, often without penalty, so you're not stuck waiting until the exact end date
- Some lenders offer ERC-free switching windows in the final months of your term — worth checking your mortgage offer document or asking your lender directly
- You are not obligated to stay with your current lender — the SVR is a default fallback, not a loyalty reward, and other lenders' fixed deals are very often cheaper even after remortgage fees