When Is the Right Time to Remortgage?
emortgaging isn’t something you do for fun — and it’s not something you should do “just because”. In most cases, there’s a clear reason and a clear window when it makes sense.
For many homeowners, the right time to remortgage comes down to one thing: avoiding the lender’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR) while also avoiding unnecessary penalties.
The Most Common Time People Remortgage
The majority of homeowners remortgage when their fixed-rate deal ends, typically every 2–5 years.
When a fixed deal finishes, your mortgage usually moves onto the lender’s SVR. This rate is almost always significantly higher than new fixed or tracker deals and can increase your monthly payments without warning.
If nothing else, this is the point where action is usually required.
Why Timing Matters So Much
Timing a remortgage badly can cost you money in two main ways:
Remortgaging too early and paying an early repayment charge (ERC)
Remortgaging too late and sitting on the SVR longer than necessary
The goal is to hit the middle ground — switching at the right moment so you avoid both.
How Early Can You Remortgage?
Many lenders allow you to secure a new mortgage rate up to six months before your current deal ends.
This doesn’t mean you switch immediately. It means you:
Lock in a rate in advance
Keep paying your current deal
Complete the switch when the fixed rate expires
This approach protects you from rate changes while avoiding ERCs.
Reasons to Remortgage Other Than Deal Expiry
While deal expiry is the most common trigger, it’s not the only one.
You might consider remortgaging if you want to:
Release equity from your property
Change the mortgage term
Adjust the structure of your mortgage
Consolidate borrowing
That said, nobody should remortgage “for the sake of it”. Whether it makes sense depends entirely on your circumstances, costs, and goals.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make
Many issues come down to simple timing problems:
Not knowing when their current deal ends
Waiting until after the fixed rate expires
Acting too early without checking ERCs
Making decisions based on fear of rate changes
Struggling to compare long-term costs properly
These mistakes are avoidable with a bit of forward planning.
A Simple Remortgage Timing Checklist
A sensible approach usually looks like this:
Check your current deal end date
Confirm any early repayment charges
Start reviewing options around six months before expiry
Compare the cost of staying put vs switching
Secure a new product in advance
Complete the switch as your current deal ends
This removes pressure and avoids rushed decisions.
Is It Ever Worth Paying an ERC?
Sometimes — but not always.
In certain situations, the long-term saving from switching early can outweigh the penalty. In others, it makes no sense at all.
This is where clear calculations matter. You need to look at:
The ERC amount
The difference in monthly payments
How long you plan to keep the new deal
There’s no universal rule.
How We Help With Remortgage Timing
We don’t assume that every remortgage saves money.
We don’t push unnecessary switches.
We analyse your existing deal, calculate the real costs, and secure a new rate at the right time — so you avoid the SVR without paying penalties you don’t need to.
The Takeaway
Most homeowners remortgage when their fixed deal ends — not too early, not too late.
The best time to remortgage is usually before your deal expires, but only after checking the numbers properly. Getting the timing right is what saves money — not guessing, rushing, or waiting too long.
