Remortgaging at the right time and on the right terms can save you a significant amount of money. But it requires some planning and a clear head about what you are trying to achieve. Here are some practical tips to help you get it right.

  1. Be clear about why you are doing it

Before you start comparing deals, think about what you actually want from a remortgage. Are you trying to reduce your monthly payments, lock in a rate before yours goes up, release equity, or change the type of deal you are on? Your goal shapes what you should be looking for.

  1. Start looking three to six months early

Do not wait until your current deal expires. When a fixed or discounted rate ends, you typically roll onto your lender’s standard variable rate, which is almost always higher. Starting to look at options three to six months in advance gives you time to compare, apply, and complete the switch without a gap where you are paying more than you need to.

  1. Know your loan to value ratio

Your loan to value (LTV) is the size of your mortgage as a percentage of your property’s current value. As you pay down your mortgage and if your property has increased in value, your LTV improves, and a better LTV typically unlocks better rates. Getting an up-to-date sense of what your home is worth is a useful starting point.

  1. Get your finances in order

Lenders will reassess your income, outgoings, credit history, and overall affordability when you apply to remortgage. Check your credit report in advance and address anything that could affect your application. Make sure you can clearly evidence your income and that your financial commitments have not grown significantly since your last application.

  1. Use a mortgage adviser

The mortgage market has hundreds of products across many lenders. An adviser can search the whole market on your behalf, identify the most suitable deals for your circumstances, and handle much of the process. They can also access some deals that are not available directly to the public.

 

 

  1. Do not focus only on the interest rate

The headline rate matters, but so do the fees. Arrangement fees, valuation costs, and legal fees can add up and sometimes make a slightly higher rate with lower fees the better overall deal. Always compare the total cost over the initial deal period, not just the monthly payment.

  1. Think about overpayment flexibility

If there is a chance you might want to pay off your mortgage faster or make lump sum payments, look for a deal that allows overpayments without penalty. Many products allow overpayments of up to 10% of the outstanding balance per year without charge.

  1. Consider protecting your mortgage

Remortgaging is a good prompt to review whether you have adequate protection in place. Income protection, life cover, and critical illness cover can ensure your mortgage repayments are covered if you are unable to work due to illness, injury, or worse. It is worth reviewing this alongside your mortgage rather than as an afterthought.

  1. Take professional advice

Remortgaging involves legal and financial considerations that can trip people up if they go it alone. A mortgage adviser can guide you through the process, help you avoid costly mistakes, and make sure you end up on a deal that genuinely suits your situation.

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

Approved by In Partnership FRN 192638 June 2026