The rate hold clause refers to how long before your mortgage renewal date you can lock in the prevailing mortgage rate, should that interest rate be a favourable one. The renewal date is the date on which the term of mortgage expires, not to be confused with the amortization period. So, for example, if you have a 5-year term on your mortgage, and a 90-day rate hold, then within 90 days before the expiration of the term, you have the option to lock in the current mortgage rate. Source: All data percentages were taken from CAAMP “Annual State of the Residential Mortgage Market in Canada” 2010