When Should I Start Looking at Remortgaging?

Published: 12th September 2026

If your current mortgage deal is coming to an end, you may be wondering when you should start looking at your options.

Many people wait until they receive a letter from their lender or until their fixed rate is almost finished. However, starting the conversation earlier can give you more time to understand what is available, prepare anything you may need and make a decision without feeling rushed.

It can be sensible to begin reviewing your mortgage up to six months before your current deal ends. This does not mean that you have to change your mortgage immediately. It simply gives you time to understand your position and put a plan in place.

What does remortgaging mean?

Remortgaging usually means replacing your current mortgage with a new mortgage from a different lender while remaining in the same property.

You may also have the option to choose a new product with your existing lender. This is commonly called a product transfer.

Staying with your current lender is not automatically the best option, and moving to a new lender is not automatically better. The interest rate, fees, monthly payment, eligibility requirements and overall cost should all be considered.

How early should I start looking at remortgaging?

A useful starting point is around six months before your current mortgage deal ends.

The exact timing will depend on your existing mortgage and the options available. Different lenders have different timescales for how early a new mortgage product can be secured and how long an offer remains valid.

Starting early can give you time to:

Check when your existing deal and any early repayment charge end
Compare staying with your current lender against moving to another lender
Review your income, expenditure and credit position
Gather any documents that may be required
Understand how your monthly payment could change
Consider your future plans before committing to another deal
Address any potential problems before your current rate expires

You do not need to know which lender or mortgage you want before asking for advice. The purpose of reviewing early is to understand the choices available to you.

What happens when my fixed mortgage deal ends?

If no new arrangement has been made when your current deal ends, your mortgage will normally move onto your lender’s standard variable rate, often called the SVR.

The lender sets its standard variable rate, and it can change. It is often higher than the rates available on some new mortgage products, although this is not guaranteed.

Moving onto the SVR could result in a change to your monthly payment. The effect will depend on your mortgage balance, remaining term and the interest rate being charged.

Reviewing your options before the existing deal ends can help you understand what your payment may look like and whether arranging a new product would be suitable.

Can I secure a new mortgage before my current deal ends?

Some lenders allow eligible borrowers to secure a new mortgage product several months before their current deal expires. The available timescale varies between lenders and products.

Arranging something early can provide reassurance because you know what option is available if mortgage rates rise before your current deal ends.

If rates improve before the new mortgage begins, it may sometimes be possible to review the product you have selected. This will depend on the lender’s rules, product availability, timing, continued eligibility and whether any costs have already been paid.

Do not cancel or change an arranged mortgage without checking the consequences first.

Should I choose a product transfer or remortgage?

A product transfer means selecting a new mortgage product with your existing lender. A remortgage usually involves moving the mortgage to another lender.

A product transfer can sometimes involve a simpler process, particularly if you are not changing the mortgage balance or term. However, remaining with your current lender means you are only considering the products it is prepared to offer you.

Moving to another lender could provide different rates, features or borrowing options, but it will normally involve a new application. This may include affordability checks, a credit search, property checks and supporting documents.

The best option should be based on the overall cost and suitability rather than the interest rate alone.

What should be reviewed before remortgaging?

Your current mortgage balance

Your remaining balance will affect your monthly payments and the impact of any product fees. A lower rate with a large fee is not always cheaper overall, particularly when the mortgage balance is relatively small.

Your property value and equity

The relationship between your mortgage balance and property value is known as the loan to value.

If your mortgage balance has reduced or your property value has increased, you could fall into a lower loan to value band. This may affect the mortgage products available to you. Property values can also fall, so any estimated value will need to be considered carefully.

Your income and monthly commitments

If you move to another lender, your income and expenditure will normally be assessed using its current affordability rules.

Changes such as a new job, becoming self employed, reducing your hours, taking parental leave or having additional financial commitments could affect the options available.

Your credit history

Your credit position may have changed since your original mortgage application. Missed payments, increased borrowing or recent credit applications could influence the lenders and products available.

Starting early provides time to review your credit information and address any errors or concerns before making an application.

Fees and early repayment charges

The lowest interest rate does not always provide the lowest overall cost.

When comparing options, consider any product fees, valuation costs, legal costs and early repayment charges alongside the interest rate and monthly payment.

Your future plans

Think about what may change during the next mortgage deal.

You may be planning to move home, make significant overpayments, change employment, retire, extend the property or borrow additional money. These plans could influence the type of mortgage and fixed period that may suit you.

Should I wait to see if mortgage rates fall?

It is understandable to wonder whether waiting could result in a better mortgage rate. However, future rates cannot be predicted with certainty and can move in either direction.

Starting your review does not mean you have to make an immediate decision. It allows you to understand the options currently available and what could happen if rates or your circumstances change.

The aim is not to guess the market perfectly. It is to make a suitable decision based on your budget, priorities and future plans.

Can I remortgage before my fixed rate ends?

It may be possible to change your mortgage before the current fixed period ends, but an early repayment charge could apply.

A lower interest rate does not automatically mean that changing early will save money. The potential saving needs to be compared against the early repayment charge, product fee and any other costs involved.

In some cases, waiting until the existing deal ends may be more appropriate. In others, changing early could still be worth considering. The complete figures need to be reviewed before making a decision.

What if my circumstances have changed?

A change in circumstances does not necessarily mean that you cannot remortgage, but it could affect the options available.

This could include:

A change of job or income
Becoming self employed
Taking parental leave
New credit commitments
Missed payments or changes to your credit history
A relationship change
Plans to retire during the mortgage term
A change in the property’s value

Discussing these changes early gives your mortgage adviser time to understand the full situation and look at the available options.

What if I am planning to move home?

If you are considering moving home, arranging a new mortgage deal without discussing those plans could leave you tied into a product with an early repayment charge.

Some mortgages are portable, which means you may be able to apply to take the existing product to another property. However, porting is not automatic. You will normally need to meet the lender’s affordability and eligibility requirements at that time, and the new property must also be acceptable.

If you need additional borrowing for the new home, it may be placed on a separate product with a different rate and end date.

Your moving plans should therefore form part of the remortgage conversation from the beginning.

Can I borrow more when I remortgage?

You may be able to apply for additional borrowing when remortgaging, subject to affordability, the property value, your credit position and the lender’s criteria.

People sometimes consider additional borrowing for home improvements or other significant costs. Increasing your mortgage means increasing the debt secured against your home and could increase the total interest you repay.

The purpose, amount, term and overall cost should all be considered before deciding whether additional mortgage borrowing is appropriate.

How Cariad Mortgage Solutions can help

At Cariad Mortgage Solutions, I will review your current mortgage, remaining balance, property value, income, commitments and future plans.

I can compare the options offered by your existing lender with suitable alternatives available elsewhere and explain the differences clearly. This includes the interest rate, monthly payment, fees, flexibility and overall cost.

I am based on Walter Road in Swansea and offer appointments in person or through Microsoft Teams to clients across South Wales and the UK.

You do not need to wait until your mortgage deal is almost finished. Starting the conversation early can give you clarity, time and a plan.

Is your current mortgage deal ending within the next six months?

Book an Initial Consultation

Frequently asked questions

How early can I start remortgaging?

It can be sensible to start reviewing your options up to six months before your current mortgage deal ends. The exact period in which a new product can be secured varies between lenders.

Does arranging a new mortgage mean it starts immediately?

Not necessarily. A new mortgage can sometimes be arranged in advance and timed to begin when the existing deal and early repayment charge end. The exact process will depend on the lenders involved.

Is a product transfer always cheaper than remortgaging?

No. A product transfer may involve fewer steps or costs in some circumstances, but another lender could offer a more suitable option. The interest rate, fees, monthly payment and overall cost should be compared.

Will I need another property valuation?

A new lender will normally assess the property as part of a remortgage application. The type of valuation used will depend on the lender and property. A straightforward product transfer with your current lender may not require a new physical valuation.

Will a lender check my affordability again?

A new lender will normally complete an affordability assessment. The process for a product transfer can be different, particularly where there is no change to the borrowing or mortgage term, but this depends on the lender and the changes requested.

What if my mortgage deal has already ended?

You can still review your options. Your mortgage may already have moved onto the lender’s standard variable rate, but this does not prevent you from considering a new product or remortgage. Any available option will depend on your circumstances and eligibility.