Wealth, protection, and
what’s actually moving this month

This month we’re looking at the parts of the market that don’t always get the headline treatment — Lombard lending, business protection, HMO finance and estate planning — alongside the Bank of England’s latest rate decision.

Market Snapshot

01  ·  Market Update

Mortgage rates in August 2026: what’s actually changed

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee held Bank Rate at 3.75% on 30 July, in line with expectations, but the vote itself told the more interesting story: three members pushed for an immediate rise, up from two at the previous meeting.

Fixed rates are priced from swap rates, not the base rate alone — which is why the lowest deals on the market keep moving even when the Bank doesn’t.

02  ·  Specialist Finance

HMO finance: funding houses in multiple occupation the right way

August looks quiet from the outside. Serious HMO landlords know it’s exactly the opposite — professional and student tenancies turn over around the start of the academic year, and the landlords refinancing now are the ones with a fully let property ready before September.

03  ·  Wealth

Lombard lending: borrowing against your portfolio without selling it

Selling investments to fund a purchase isn’t always the right move — especially when it means crystallising gains you weren’t planning to realise this year. Lombard lending lets your portfolio stay invested while you borrow against its value instead.

04  ·  Protection

Business protection: what happens if you’re not there tomorrow

Most directors have thought about their mortgage. Fewer have thought about what happens to the business itself if they, or a co-founder, were suddenly unable to work.

Key person cover, shareholder protection and relevant life plans, explained.

05  ·  Protection

Why your mortgage adviser is asking about your will

For most of our clients, the property we’re financing is the single largest asset they own. Without a valid will, intestacy rules decide who inherits it — and those rules don’t always reflect what someone would actually want.

Amar in the Media

Inflation drop fails to move the needle for the mortgage market Speaking to Mortgage Introducer this month, Amar Dhanota offered a more cautious read on the latest inflation figures than the headline suggested — “Let’s forget about the rate for one second. Let’s discuss how much you can afford each month and work it backwards,” she said, on why she steers clients away from headline-rate comparisons and towards a proper affordability conversation. Read Amar’s full comments →

A conversation costs nothing

Whether it’s a portfolio review, a complex case, or a question about protecting your business — your initial consultation is obligation-free.

Warm regards,

Amar Dhanota & Amar Vig

London FS  •  Finance • Protection • Strategy

0208 427 5057  ·  enquiries@london-fs.com  ·  london-fs.com

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

london-fs.com  ·  enquiries@london-fs.com  ·  0208 427 5057

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Dhavi Limited (trading as London FS) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 628993. Registered in England, Company No. 07301914. Registered Office: 7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR. We are a credit broker, not a lender. We may receive commissions that vary depending on the lender, product or other permissible factors, and the nature of any commission model will be confirmed to you before you proceed.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some forms of buy-to-let, secured loans, commercial finance, bridging finance, overseas or offshore mortgages, and will writing. Tax and estate-planning content is general guidance only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice; please consult a qualified adviser. Contents believed correct at date of publication (August 2026). Rate and index figures sourced from Bank of England, Moneyfacts, Nationwide and ONS as individually credited above.