where does it say its is for life this rate?

the clue is in the title:

'Life' Tracker Repayment

It is a lifetime tracker ie tied to the base rate, not a lifetime fixed at the rate shown above

It's a Life time tracker, ie tracks the base rate at 1.29% on top, ie base rate moves to 2% this will be 3.29%, but long term you.ll always beat a fix with a good tracker rate (no fees every time you need to fix again, and most fixes tend to be well above base rate

Where does it say no fee for existing customers? Can't you just sign up and take out the mortgage at the same time and hence avoid the fees?

I just called them and apparently existing customers have to pay the 950 too.

When you put in your details select the option "existing mortgage customer" it's no fee upfront

Saying a good tracker beats a fix isn't quite right, if you are on a fix at say the nationwide rate for new customers of 2.84% for 10 years as soon as rates rise to 1.6% then tracker becomes worse. Imagine the rates of the 90s or even the 80s and you could get stuck badly. This is a good deal, always worth seeing how the markets predict rates will go, current fixed rates and experts point to low rates for years to come but don't just sit on your laurels and say because you have a tracker ypu are alright. You need to keep an eye on the rates and though we have had low rates for a long time history show they can go up as well. Oh and I am on a FD tracker lifetime at 0.79% above with no early repayment and at time no fees. Fingers crossed for 7 more years of low rates and ours is gone but will keep an eye on the rates as the years go by. Since moving to that rate in 2008 quartered our interest payments :smile:

Been with First Direct for 20 years now, never had a problem with them. Will be ringing them about this offer.