Around 1.6m homeowners will face a jump in their monthly mortgage costs as their fixed rate deals come to an end next year, piling on even more financial pressure when many are already struggling to cope with rising food and energy bills.
There are around 800,000 fixed rate deals finishing in the second half of 2023, and double this number ending next year. A series of interest rate hikes in recent months mean that those who plan to remortgage to another fixed rate deal are likely to see a sharp hike in their monthly costs. However, it’s still vital to remortgage, as if you don’t, you’ll roll onto your lender’s standard variable rate (SVR), some of which are now in excess of 9%.
Whether you will be accepted for a remortgage deal is dependent on several factors, with the criteria you’ll need to meet varying from lender to lender.
Here, we look at some of the things you might need to consider when remortgaging, and how a stretched income might affect your chances of having your mortgage application accepted.
Speaking to an experienced mortgage advisor can help you to understand your options and get a great deal on your mortgage. If you’re looking for expert mortgage advice, you can speak to an independent mortgage broker with Unbiased. Every advisor you find through Unbiased will be FCA-regulated, qualified and unconnected to product providers – so they can offer you truly unbiased advice.
Contents
- Can I remortgage if my income has fallen, or my outgoings have risen?
- How much can I borrow?
- I took a mortgage payment holiday during the coronavirus pandemic. Will this affect my chances of being accepted?
- Can I remortgage with a poor credit score?
- What should I consider when choosing a remortgage deal?
- How long will it take to remortgage?
Can I remortgage if my income has fallen, or my outgoings have risen?
You may still be able to secure a mortgage if your income has fallen, or if you have less free cash available each month due to higher outgoings, although this may limit the amount you are able to borrow.
If your income has fallen substantially, then the amount a lender will be willing to lend you will also fall. So depending on how much you want to borrow, you may find it more difficult to remortgage to a new deal unless you can provide evidence that any drop in your earnings is only temporary.
Frustrating as it may be, bear in mind that if you’ve been on reduced income since you started a mortgage application, it is your duty to disclose this to the lender, even after you have an offer.
A spokesman for Moneyfactscompare.co.uk said “Undoubtedly, although there may be those currently struggling financially, it would be unwise for borrowers to assume that they would not be eligible for a new mortgage, even if their existing lender is unable to offer a new deal. Seeking independent advice from a broker who is up to date on the ever-changing mortgage sector could unveil options which may save them significant sums.”
How much can I borrow?
As a general rule, when you take out a mortgage or remortgage, lenders will usually allow you to borrow up to four, or four and a half times your income if the mortgage is in your name only. If you’re buying or remortgaging with someone else, they’ll typically allow you to borrow up to three times your joint income. These rules of thumb can be a helpful guide, but remember that lenders will want to look at your detailed income and expenditure before they can make an accurate assessment of how much they are willing to lend.
In addition to the lender’s assessment of mortgage affordability based on your income, they will also factor in how much you want to borrow in relation to the value of your property – usually known as the ‘loan-to-value’ or LTV, and expressed as a percentage. For example if you wanted to borrow £100,000 against a property that is valued at £200,000 then this equates to a LTV of 50%.
I took a mortgage payment holiday during the coronavirus pandemic. Will this affect my chances of being accepted?
Lenders are free to determine their own risk criteria and base their decisions on more than just your credit score. So if you’ve taken a payment break in the past few years, this may limit your options, as lenders may be concerned that you’ve previously run into financial difficulties. You should still be able to switch to a new deal offered by your existing lender, but there is a risk that if you’ve taken a mortgage payment holiday, this could make your application less likely to be accepted with a new lender.
Ultimately, a lender will need to see that any new mortgage will be affordable, so if they’re confident that you can comfortably cover the cost of your mortgage payments, you’re more likely to be able to remortgage with your existing or a new provider.
Speaking to an experienced mortgage advisor can help you to understand your options and get a great deal on your mortgage. If you’re looking for expert mortgage advice, you can speak to an independent mortgage broker with Unbiased. Every advisor you find through Unbiased will be FCA-regulated, qualified and unconnected to product providers – so they can offer you truly unbiased advice.
Can I remortgage with a poor credit score?
Depending on your situation, it may be possible to secure a mortgage with a bad credit score. However, you’re likely to pay a high interest rate, and you may need more equity in your home to qualify.
Your credit score is essentially a record of your financial history, including any missed payments and any applications for credit you have made. Lenders use this to decide how much of a risk there is that you won’t be able to pay them back and will default on your mortgage.
If you’re worried about your credit score, then there are three main credit reference agencies which offer you access to your credit report: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion (formerly Callcredit). It’s worth checking your report for any errors before submitting a mortgage application, as you can add a note to your credit file or have an incorrect record removed if necessary. ClearScore offers a free credit checking service that accesses Equifax data. They also offer free identity protection that scans for stolen passwords, security problems and fraud defence tips. MoneySuperMarket offers a Credit Monitor tool which enables you to check your credit score and free of charge using data from credit reference agency TransUnion and offers free personalised tips to help it grow. Experian also has a free service that enables you to sign up and check your credit score with them.
If your credit score is lower than you’d like, you may want to try improving it before applying for a mortgage. You can do this by making sure you don’t miss any repayments on your loans, credit cards and mobile phone and other bills and cancelling any credit card accounts which you no longer use. Our article Seven steps that could improve your credit score has lots of tips on how you might be able to boost your score.
The best course of action is to speak to a mortgage broker to see what your options are if your current deal is coming to an end, or if you’re keen to cut repayments, as they will know which lenders tend to be more sympathetic for applicants with less than perfect credit scores.
What should I consider when choosing a remortgage deal?
Bear in mind that your current lender may not offer the best rates, so always check what’s on offer across the market so you can be certain that you’ve found the best possible deal. This is particularly important if you have little equity in your property, or you’re struggling financially.
Alongside the headline interest rate, always make sure to factor in any additional costs. There are plenty to consider, including arrangement fees, valuation fees, and legal fees, which can add up to thousands of pounds. The lowest rates may come with hefty fees, so depending on the size of your mortgage this can make them more expensive over time. Make sure you consider the total cost of the mortgage, including all charges, rather than basing any decision on the headline rate alone. Some deals may offer incentives such as free valuations, but consider if these will save you enough money compared to others over the term of the deal. Find out more in our guide How much does it cost to remortgage?
Beware that if you move lenders while you’re still tied to a deal you could face substantial Early Repayment Charges (ERCs) of between 1% and 5% of the mortgage. Any ERC should appear on your annual mortgage statement, your original mortgage offer or you can call your lender to find out the details. If there is an Early Repayment Charge in place, you’ll need to weigh up the costs of the penalty charge against the savings you’ll make from remortgaging before your current deal ends. Again, a good fee free mortgage broker can help with this.
How long will it take to remortgage?
The remortgage process typically takes between four and eight weeks, so it’s usually best to start your search at least three months before your current deal expires to avoid going onto your lender’s expensive standard variable rate. It is possible to lock in a new mortgage deal between three and six months before you want it to begin, so this gives you plenty of time to plan ahead and take advantage of a good deal.
Doing a straightforward ‘product transfer’, by switching to a new deal with your existing lender, is likely to be the quickest and easiest way to secure a better deal – but bear in mind that it is unlikely to be the best deal out there.
Bear in mind that if your circumstances are complex or you’re worried about being accepted for a mortgage, it may be worth speaking to a specialist mortgage broker. These can come with an additional fee, but may be more suited to borrowers that might require a tailored approach.
Speaking to an experienced mortgage advisor can help you to understand your options and get a great deal on your mortgage. If you’re looking for expert mortgage advice, you can speak to an independent mortgage broker with Unbiased. Every advisor you find through Unbiased will be FCA-regulated, qualified and unconnected to product providers – so they can offer you truly unbiased advice.
Rest Less Money is on Instagram! Check out our account and give us a follow @rest_less_uk_money for all the latest Money News, updated daily.