Credit will be secured by a mortgage on your property. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. Written quotations are available from individual lenders. Loans are subject to status and valuation and are not available to persons under the age of 18. All rates are subject to change without notice. Please check all rates and terms with your lender or financial adviser before undertaking any borrowing.
Remortgaging is when you switch from your existing mortgage deal to a new mortgage deal, without moving home.
You can remortgage to a different lender or move to an alternative deal with your existing lender (also known as a product transfer).
Technically you can remortgage at almost any time (subject to terms and fees), but many people will remortgage after a deal ends. This could be to a new fixed or variable rate deal. If they don’t remortgage, they will revert to their lender’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR) which is likely to be significantly more expensive.
Other people may remortgage in the middle of an existing deal if there’s a cheaper and more suitable option available, while others may remortgage and borrow more to release equity from their home.
It’s a good idea to start thinking about remortgaging around six months before you want the new deal to start. This gives you plenty of time to compare options from your existing lender and other lenders and, once you’ve found a deal, you can arrange for it to start the day after your existing mortgage ends.
Depending on the lender, you may be able to lock in a rate several months before you want the new deal to start, which protects you from any rate rises. However, if rates fall, you may be able to cancel it at least 14 days before it starts in favour of a new, cheaper deal. The exact details can vary between lenders, so check the terms of your agreement for more information on this.
When you remortgage, especially if you’re switching lenders, you will be subject to the usual credit and affordability checks to make sure you can afford the payments.
However, if you remortgage with your existing lender, these checks are likely to be less rigorous (unless you want to borrow more, for example).
There are several reasons why you may want to remortgage, such as to:
Remortgaging activity continued to grow in 2025 as lenders advanced 1.86 million refinancing loans over this period, 13.7% more than the previous year. However, most of these transactions were internal product transfers (choosing a deal from your existing lender) instead of switching to a different lender. According to UK Finance.
At the start of 2026, the outlook was looking relatively positive for those who were planning to remortgage as interest rates were coming down. Indeed, the Bank of England estimated that three million households (one third of mortgage accounts) could see their payments decrease over the next three years as they refinance to cheaper deals. However, the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on the UK and global economy has completely altered the mortgage market and expectations for borrowers.
The conflict is expected to push up inflation, which in turn significantly reduces the chances of any cuts to the Bank of England base rate in 2026. Consequently, many mortgage lenders amended their product range and raised rates, which means borrowers coming to the end of a deal may have no option but to refinance to a more expensive mortgage and face higher monthly repayments.
As the first few months of 2026 showed, the mortgage market can be unpredictable and can change quickly in response to the latest events. If you’re thinking about remortgaging soon, visit our chart above for the best remortgage rates UK lenders are offering right now or speak to a broker for tailored advice on your individual situation.
Anyone looking to remortgage has a range of different deals to choose from, depending on their situation and personal preferences.
As the name suggests, the interest rate on these types of mortgages is fixed and stays the same for the specified period, which means they are likely to suit homeowners who want the certainty that their monthly payments won’t change. This can make it easier to budget and plan your finances as there’s no risk that your payments could increase.
There are several fixed terms to choose from and, again, the individual priorities and requirements of a borrower will determine which option is right for them.
It can be difficult to work out how long to fix for as there are so many factors to consider, which is why many borrowers will find it useful to get professional advice and guidance from a mortgage broker.
In a standard market, two-year remortgage rates are normally lower than their five-year counterparts as providers often charge more for the extra certainty that long-term mortgages offer, and to compensate for the increased risk of lending for longer.
However, volatility in the mortgage market can reverse this trend. This is because lenders may expect rates to rise over the coming months and years (pushing the interest rates on short-term mortgage deals higher) and to eventually settle at a lower level over the long term. For example, the fallout from the 2022 mini-Budget meant the average two-year fixed mortgage became more expensive than the average five-year fixed deal for almost three years. After returning to a more “normal market” for a few months, two-year fixed mortgage rates once again rose above their five-year equivalents in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East in 2026.
Because lenders can react quickly to changes in the market, it’s always worth checking our remortgage charts for the most up-to-date rates and to see which terms offer the most competitive deals.
There’s no set answer to this as every homeowner is different and will have their own unique requirements and preferences. It’s important to consider your individual situation, as well as the overall market, when making your decision as there are pros and cons to each option.
Two- and five-year fixed terms are more common, so borrowers are likely to have a wider range of products to choose from if they opt for one of these deals. Two-year fixed remortgage deals typically charge lower rates than their five-year equivalents, but it’s important to note that this isn’t always the case, particularly when the market is volatile and uncertain. Indeed, as previously mentioned, the average two-year fixed mortgage rate edged above the average five-year fixed rate in March 2026.
If two-year fixed mortgages charge a lower rate, some homeowners may prefer to take out one of these deals to save money on their monthly payments. They may then hope that rates fall over the next couple of years so they can remortgage to an even cheaper fixed deal, although this is never guaranteed.
However, other borrowers may be willing to pay a little bit more for the added certainty provided by a five-year mortgage as the rate is guaranteed to stay the same for this period. While this type of fixed mortgage is less flexible than a two-year deal, it means borrowers are protected if rates increase across the market, whereas someone locking into a shorter-term mortgage could find themselves refinancing to a higher rate once their deal ends.
But, as the mortgage market can be unpredictable, it’s important to consider your own preferences and needs when choosing a fixed term, not just what you think will happen to interest rates. It can be difficult to work out how long to fix for as there are so many factors to consider, which is why many borrowers may find it useful to get professional advice and guidance from a mortgage broker.
In contrast to fixed rate remortgage deals, the interest rate on variable options can change. The lender can decide to lower or increase the interest rate charged on variable deals, which means your monthly payments could go up or down at relatively short notice.
This can make it more difficult to budget if interest rates (and your payments) rise, but, if the lender lowers interest rates, you could end up paying less.
There are several types of variable rate remortgage deals available, including discounted variable and tracker products.
Discounted variable mortgages follow the direction of a lender’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR), but at a fixed “discount” below it for a certain period (such as two years). For example, if the SVR is at 7.50% and falls to 7.25%, a discounted variable rate deal that tracks at two percentage points below the SVR will fall from 5.50% to 5.25%.
Meanwhile, tracker mortgages “track” the direction of a particular interest rate, often the Bank of England base rate. This means that, if the base rate falls by 0.25 percentage points, the rate on a tracker mortgage will drop by 0.25%.
While fixed remortgage rates can offer stability, tracker (and other variable deals) come with a bit more uncertainty as interest rates could go up or down.
This means that, even if variable rates are initially lower than fixed rates, choosing a variable deal could cost you more overall if rates rise. But, if fixed rates are initially lower than variable rates, locking into a fixed deal still may not necessarily be the cheapest option if rates fall. This is why it’s often useful to speak to a broker as they have the experience and knowledge to help you navigate the mortgage market.
Unlike the length of the term and whether you choose a fixed or variable deal, which are your own decisions, the loan-to-value (LTV) of your mortgage will depend on how much equity you own in your house and how much you need to borrow from the lender.
There are a range of LTV bands available for those remortgaging, with some of the main options listed below.
There are several costs to factor in when you remortgage. Lenders will charge different fees, but they could include:
Bear in mind that, if you remortgage to a deal with your existing lender, you may only need to pay an arrangement or product fee.
You may be able to add some of these fees to your mortgage, but this means you’ll pay interest on them. As a result, it’s often worth paying any fees upfront if possible.
In the most straightforward cases, you can simply borrow the balance left outstanding on your mortgage.
However, if your financial situation has changed significantly since your initial application, you may find that you’re not eligible for a mortgage that covers your remaining balance.
This could happen if you don’t pass a lender’s affordability checks because your income has fallen, for example, or if property prices have dropped.
If your home loses value, your outstanding mortgage balance will make up a larger proportion of your property’s value. This could push you into a higher loan-to-value threshold, which may affect the interest charged and the amount you can afford to borrow.
In the very worst cases, you could end up owing more on your mortgage than your home is worth. This is known as negative equity and is a particular risk if you took out a low-deposit mortgage.
You may buy your house for £400,000 with a 10% deposit of £40,000 and a mortgage of £360,000. When you remortgage, your outstanding mortgage balance may be £340,000. If property prices have remained stable, you now have £60,000 equity in the property (15%) which could allow you to access more attractive mortgage deals.
But, if the price of your property has dropped to £370,000, for example, you will still owe £340,000 on your mortgage which means you now own less than 10% equity in your home (£30,000). As a result, your remortgage deal will need to finance a larger proportion of your property, unless you make an overpayment to reduce the amount owed.
Whatever your circumstances and requirements, a mortgage broker can help you find some of the best remortgage deals for you.
It may be possible to borrow more than your outstanding balance when you remortgage, if you want to release some money to pay for home improvements, for example.
This is known as a “further advance” if you borrow more from your existing lender.
But, before adding to your mortgage, it’s crucial to weigh up all the costs involved as this could be more expensive than other forms of borrowing.
The time it takes to remortgage depends on your individual circumstances and whether you choose to remortgage with your existing lender or a new lender.
It will usually be quickest to take out a product transfer with your current lender. Because the lender ran affordability checks and did a property valuation when you took out your initial mortgage, it may not need to perform all these checks again. As a result, it may be possible to apply for a remortgage online or over the phone and be approved within hours.
Bear in mind that if your situation has changed or if you want to change the terms of your mortgage (by borrowing more or adding/removing an individual from the agreement, for example), the process is likely to take longer and involve more checks.
If you want to remortgage with a different lender, it could take six to eight weeks for your application to be processed and accepted. The lender will run credit and affordability checks, as well as checks on the property, to make sure you meet its criteria.
Mortgage brokers remove a lot of the paperwork and hassle of getting a mortgage, as well as helping you access exclusive products and rates that aren’t available to the public. Mortgage brokers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and are required to pass specific qualifications before they can give you advice.
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Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
It’s up to you whether you remortgage with your current lender or with a new lender.
Remortgaging with the same lender can be the quickest and most convenient option as it requires less paperwork and fewer checks than moving to a new lender. It will also usually involve fewer fees and, depending on your situation, the lender may not run a credit check so your credit history may not be affected.
Furthermore, some lenders may offer more attractive rates to their existing customers. As a result, choosing a new deal with your current lender could be the cheapest and most suitable option for you.
However, this isn’t guaranteed. Other lenders may offer more attractive remortgage rates, even if you factor in any additional fees involved in switching lender.
The process of remortgaging to a new lender is likely to take longer and will require more checks than staying with your existing lender, but it could be a cheaper option if you can find a suitable deal with lower rates.
This is why it’s so important to compare mortgage rates if you’re planning to remortgage, looking at deals from your current lender as well as the rest of the market. It can be useful to speak to a mortgage broker to help navigate your way through the deals on offer to you.
Read more: Should I switch mortgage lenders?
To find the best remortgage deal, it’s crucial to think about a range of factors. Below is a checklist of some points to consider:
If you secure a remortgage offer a few months before it’s due to start, it’s worth keeping an eye on the market to see if rates fall and if you could switch to a cheaper deal. Don’t rely on your lender telling you if a better deal appears and, if you use a broker, ask if they will check the market for you. Before switching remortgage deals, check the terms of the lender and note that any fees you’ve already paid may not be refundable.
It can be overwhelming to search the mortgage market and find a deal on your own, so it may be useful to speak to a mortgage broker for advice and guidance. A broker can help you understand your requirements and find deals that are the most suitable for your situation.
After edging lower at the start of 2026, remortgage rates started rising again in March after the turmoil caused by the conflict in the Middle East prompted lenders to increase rates. This made the mortgage market more volatile, which meant the deals and interest rates available changed regularly. However, even when the market is more stable and predictable, lenders can amend rates at any time.
So, for the most up-to-date list of the top remortgage rates on offer, visit our chart above. Note that the remortgage rate you qualify for will depend on your credit history, your financial circumstances and the amount of equity you own in your property.
If you’re remortgaging with the same lender and not borrowing any more or changing the terms of your mortgage, you may not need a solicitor.
However, if you’re remortgaging with a new lender or your situation is a bit more complex, you will typically need a solicitor to take care of the legalities. Some lenders will cover the necessary legal costs as part of their remortgage deal, on condition that you use their chosen solicitor.
If you're moving to a different provider and/or trying to move to a lower LTV tier, you're likely to need a new valuation on your property. The cost of this may be included in a remortgage deal. If you’re sticking with your current provider, you may not need another valuation.
It may be possible to get a better rate when you remortgage, but this isn’t guaranteed. For example, you could get a lower rate if mortgage rates have fallen since you took out your existing deal, or if you’re eligible for a deal with a lower loan-to-value. You may also be able to find better rates by remortgaging to a different lender with more competitive deals.
However, mortgage rates are currently significantly higher than they were over two years ago. This means that many borrowers who fixed in early 2022 or before may find they have no option but to remortgage to a higher rate than they are currently paying.
It’s worth thinking about your remortgage options around six months before your current deal ends. This allows you to compare remortgage deals and, if necessary, speak to a broker, without any time pressure. Lenders may allow you to accept a deal several months in advance. However, if you see a more attractive deal later on, you may be able to cancel your existing agreement and switch to the new deal.
Bear in mind it’s possible to remortgage in the middle of a fixed deal, but you’ll need to factor in the cost of an early repayment charge.
This is personal preference. If you remortgage and fix rates every two years, you could benefit from lower payments sooner if mortgage rates fall. On the other hand, if mortgage rates rise since you took out your initial fixed deal, your payments could rise if you have to remortgage to a higher rate.
By contrast, if you choose to fix and remortgage every five years, for example, this can offer peace of mind that your payments won’t rise during that period. But this also means you can’t take advantage of cheaper deals if rates fall (unless you leave your deal early and incur the additional charges).
When you remortgage, lenders will run a credit check and other affordability checks. They will look at your income, expenditure and existing debt to make sure you can afford the monthly repayments. You may need to provide documents, such as payslips, to support this information. Lenders may also run a property valuation.
Bear in mind that these checks may only apply if you remortgage to a different lender. If you stay with the same lender, there may be fewer checks.
It’s possible for your remortgage application to be declined if you don’t meet a lender’s eligibility requirements, or if it believes you can’t afford to repay the mortgage, for example. To minimise the chances of this happening, it’s worth checking your credit score and getting your finances in order before applying. You can also get an agreement in principle to see if you can borrow the amount you need.
It’s possible to remortgage if your credit score is low, but you may not qualify for the most competitive rates. Lenders often view someone with a poorer credit history as a greater risk, so they may charge higher rates to compensate for this. As a result, before applying for a remortgage, it may be worth seeing if you could improve your credit score first.
However, lenders will also look at your income, employment status, the equity you own and other factors to determine your eligibility for a mortgage, and what rate to charge.
Yes, you can remortgage if you’re self-employed. However, you will typically need to demonstrate you can continue to afford your monthly payments by showing proof of income. Note that lenders may require more evidence for self-employed applicants than those who are employed.
It may be easier to remortgage with the same lender, rather than applying to a new provider, as your existing lender may not require as many checks. But it’s still worth looking at other lenders as they may be able to offer more competitive and more suitable options for you.
Mortgage brokers can offer additional support and guidance to those who are self-employed to help them find a suitable deal.
Most lenders set a maximum age for taking out a mortgage or a maximum age by which you need to repay your mortgage, which could be 75 or 80 years old, for example. However, some lenders may set lower age limits.
When you remortgage, you need to make sure you meet the age requirements of the lender and choose a mortgage term that ends before you reach the age limit. Furthermore, you’ll need to prove to the lender that you can continue making your mortgage payments if the term extends past your retirement age, whether that’s via a pension or other means. It’s worth seeking advice if you think you may be paying off your mortgage in your retirement.