"By reducing rates, we’re aiming to give brokers a wider choice of solutions across both standard and specialist lending. That includes cases involving foreign nationals, interest-only into retirement, and purchases at a discount to market value"
- Christopher Blewitt - Darligton Building Society
Darlington Building Society has announced that it has rolled out a series of rate reductions across its residential mortgage range and introduced new fixed-rate products for specialist and visa applicants. The changes, which came into effect on 12 May 2025, aim to give brokers more flexibility when helping clients with small deposits, complex financial backgrounds, or limited credit history in the UK.
Among the updated offerings, the Society has launched new three-year fixed rates for specialist and visa applicants, with pricing at 5.59% for 90% LTV and 5.89% for 95% LTV. These are in addition to rate reductions on several existing products across both standard and specialist categories.
Changes to the standard residential range include a 2-year fix at 90% LTV, reduced from 5.34% to 5.19%, and a 2-year fix at 95% LTV, which has dropped from 5.64% to 5.39%. The 5-year fix at 90% LTV is now 4.94%, down from 5.29%, and the 5-year fix at 95% LTV has been lowered to 5.14% from 5.39%.
In the specialist and visa category, the new 3-year fix at 90% LTV is now 5.59%, the new 3-year fix at 95% LTV is now 5.89%, the 5-year fix at 90% LTV has been reduced from 5.59% to 5.39%, and the 5-year fix at 95% LTV now stands at 5.69%, down from 5.79%.
Key criteria highlights include lending up to six times income on eligible applications, accepting foreign nationals with no minimum time in the UK or remaining visa duration, and using a credit search rather than a score to assess creditworthiness. The Society also supports discount market value purchases, new builds, and interest-only lending into retirement, with a maximum age of 86 at the end of the mortgage term.
“The market remains challenging for brokers, particularly when working with clients who have smaller deposits or non-standard income," comments the society's head of mortgage distribution, Christopher Blewitt (pictured). "With affordability still under pressure, we know how important it is to offer competitive options that reflect the realities advisers and their customers are facing.
He added, “By reducing rates, we’re aiming to give brokers a wider choice of solutions across both standard and specialist lending. That includes cases involving foreign nationals, interest-only into retirement, and purchases at a discount to market value.
“We continue to take a flexible, common-sense approach to underwriting and remain focused on helping brokers place cases that may fall outside the scope of more rigid lending models.”
