Avoid a mortgage rate shock.

Is the end of your fixed-rate haunting you?

According to research from Compare the Market, homeowners reaching the end of their two-year fixed-rate deals could face an average increase of £238 a month.

That's nearly £2,900 extra a year. Enough to send a shiver down anyone's spine.

And for some homeowners, the figures are even scarier.

But before you run screaming for the hills, there's good news. You can take action now to help soften the blow.

Act early to avoid a mortgage fright.

If your current mortgage deal ends within the next six months, now's the time to explore your options.

Many lenders allow you to secure a new mortgage deal up to six months before your existing one expires.

That means you could lock in a rate now, protecting yourself against potential increases. And if rates fall before your new deal starts, you may be able to switch to something better, depending on the lender's terms.

The sooner you act, the more options you'll have.

Don't sleepwalk onto a standard variable rate.

When your fixed-rate deal ends, you'll usually move onto your lender's standard variable rate (SVR) unless you've arranged another deal. And that could give your monthly payments a nasty shock.

Even a small difference in mortgage rates can mean hundreds of pounds in additional repayments over the course of a year.

That's where Moat Mortgages comes in.