How early can you remortgage before your fixed rate ends

The six-month window

Six months is the number that comes up again and again. MoneyHelper, the free and impartial money guidance service, says you can usually apply for a new mortgage up to six months in advance of the date you need it to take effect, and it suggests setting a diary reminder to start shopping around at least six months before a fixed or discount deal reverts to the lender's standard variable rate (SVR).

The Mortgage Charter turned that window into a commitment for the lenders that signed it. The FCA describes the measure as allowing customers to lock in a new deal up to six months ahead of the end of a fixed rate deal, and to request a better like-for-like deal until the new one starts, if one is available. It is widely used: FCA figures published in September 2026 show 499,271 mortgages locked into a new deal ahead of maturity in the first quarter of 2026 and 381,364 in the second.

The second half of that commitment matters as much as the first. MoneyHelper describes booking a rate when your deal ends within six months and switching to a better offer if rates drop before the new deal starts.

Product transfer or remortgage: same window, different paperwork

There are two ways to replace an ending fix. A product transfer is a new deal with the lender you already have. Remortgaging, in MoneyHelper's terms, is getting a new mortgage with a different lender while you stay in the same home. MoneyHelper notes that on a fixed term you will usually have to wait until the final six months to look at a new deal with your existing lender.

The two routes ask different things of you. MoneyHelper says that when you move lender you may face legal, valuation and administration costs unless the new lender offers to pay some or all of them, and a new lender will look closely at whether you can afford the repayments, with proof of your income and outgoings. It also points to product transfers that don't require an affordability assessment as an option for people who are struggling to get a new lender to accept them.

Most borrowers stay put. UK Finance estimates that product transfers with an existing lender came to about £256 billion in 2025, against about £71 billion of external remortgaging, and it forecasts £261 billion and £77 billion for 2026. MoneyHelper suggests asking your current lender for its best deal first and using it as a benchmark.

What happens if you leave it until the last minute

If nothing is in place when the fix ends, the mortgage moves to the lender's SVR. MoneyHelper warns that this can be expensive because SVRs are typically higher than fixed-term deals, and that a monthly bill can jump by hundreds of pounds unless you act. The SVR is set by the lender. It usually follows the Bank of England's base rate, but it is not the same number.

The gap is visible in the Bank of England's own figures. Its average quoted revert-to rate, the rate a mortgage falls back to, was 6.58% in August 2026. In the same month the average quoted two-year fixed rate at 75% loan to value was 4.92% and the five-year equivalent was 4.78%. Bank Rate was 3.75% in August too, and the Monetary Policy Committee held it there on 17 September 2026. These figures move every month, and your own rates depend on your lender, your equity and your circumstances.

Landing on the SVR is not a trap you cannot get out of. MoneyHelper notes there are usually no penalties for leaving an SVR, so a late switch is still possible. The cost is the difference between the two rates for every month you stay.

Can you remortgage earlier than six months?

You can, but it may cost you. MoneyHelper's guidance is that you can remortgage at any time, but there might be fees to switch deals, and that changing a deal early may mean paying an early repayment charge. It recommends getting advice from a mortgage broker or financial adviser if you are weighing this up.

The key distinction is between applying and completing. Applying six months ahead is normal; what triggers a charge is the old deal being repaid before its fixed period is over. MoneyHelper says that if you move elsewhere you will usually need to wait until your current deal has ended to avoid early repayment charges, so it makes sense to time the new mortgage to start when the old fix ends.

MoneyHelper's advice is to check any early repayment charges with your existing lender before you commit to anything that would end the deal early.

A timeline to work back from

Six months before the end date: find the date and any early repayment charge in your paperwork, ask your lender what product transfer it would offer, and look at the wider market or speak to a broker.
By the halfway point: choose a deal and apply. If you are moving lender, this leaves room for the valuation and legal work a new lender needs.
In the final month: confirm the new deal starts the day after the fixed rate ends, so no days fall on the SVR, and check that your direct debit will collect the right amount.
Until the new deal starts: keep an eye on rates. Under the Mortgage Charter you can ask a signatory lender for a better like-for-like deal before it begins.

Common mistakes with remortgage timing

Waiting for the lender to get in touch. MoneyHelper's advice is to find out when your deal is ending and start shopping around in good time. If the first reminder you get is a letter close to the end date, there is little time left to compare.

Moving lender before the fix is over. Applying early is fine; completing early can trigger an early repayment charge. Time the new mortgage to start when the old fixed period ends.

Comparing rates and ignoring fees. In MoneyHelper's example on a £200,000 mortgage over 20 years, a 4.4% deal with a £2,000 fee added to the loan cost more each month and more over the term than a 4.5% deal with no fee.

Locking in and forgetting. Securing a rate six months out is sensible, but rates can fall in the meantime. Check again before the new deal starts. If you would rather have the dates worked out for you, RateCliff counts down from your end date and sets out checkpoints 180, 90 and 30 days before it, with a short checklist at each one.

This guide is general information, not financial advice. Lenders' rules and charges differ. Check your own mortgage offer and talk to your lender, an FCA-registered mortgage broker or adviser, or MoneyHelper, which gives free guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Can I remortgage six months before my fixed rate ends without paying an early repayment charge?

Usually you can apply and secure a rate six months ahead, with the new deal starting when the fix ends, which avoids the charge. MoneyHelper notes that if you move to a different lender you will usually need to wait until your current deal has ended to avoid early repayment charges. Check the terms in your own offer.

What happens if I lock in a deal and rates fall?

Lenders that signed the Mortgage Charter let you request a better like-for-like deal until your new one starts, if one is available, according to the FCA. Ask your lender or broker to check before the start date.

Do I need to pass an affordability check for a product transfer?

Not always. MoneyHelper points to product transfers that don't require an affordability assessment as an option for people who struggle to get a new lender to accept them. A new lender will look at your income and outgoings, according to MoneyHelper.

What happens if I do nothing when my fixed rate ends?

The mortgage moves to your lender's standard variable rate. MoneyHelper says SVRs are typically higher than fixed-term deals, though there are usually no penalties for leaving one, so you can still switch later.