Can You Remortgage Early? Locking In a Rate Before Your Fix Ends

Yes, you can usually remortgage early. In most cases you can secure a new mortgage deal around six months before your current deal ends, without paying an early repayment charge, because the new deal does not start until the old one finishes.

With the Bank of England raising Bank Rate to 4% in November 2026 and lenders changing their deals more often than usual, locking in a rate early has become one of the most common questions we are asked. This guide explains how it works. If you want the background on the rate rise, see are mortgage rates going up?

How early can you remortgage?

There are two main routes:

• Remortgaging to a new lender. Many lenders issue mortgage offers that are valid for around six months, which lets you apply well before your current deal ends. Your new mortgage then completes on, or just after, the day your current deal finishes.

• A product transfer with your existing lender. Most lenders let existing customers choose a new deal a few months before the current one ends, commonly between three and six months ahead. The new rate starts when the old one ends.

Either way, the aim is the same: secure a rate now, so you are protected if rates rise further before your deal ends.

Can you remortgage early with the same lender?

Yes. A product transfer is a switch to a new deal with the lender you already have. It is often quicker, usually needs less paperwork and may not need a new valuation. However, your existing lender's rates are not always the most competitive, so it is worth comparing them against the wider market before you commit. Our guide to product transfers versus remortgaging explains how to compare the full cost.

What if rates fall after you have locked in?

Securing a rate early does not have to mean you are stuck with it. If a better rate becomes available before your new deal starts, it is often possible to switch to the cheaper one, either with the same lender or by moving to a different one. This is one of the main benefits of starting early with a broker who keeps your case under review.

Can you remortgage early on a fixed rate?

You can leave a fixed rate before it ends, but most fixed and tracker deals have an early repayment charge (ERC) if you repay the mortgage or switch away during the deal period. ERCs are usually a percentage of the amount you repay, and they often reduce each year. Your mortgage offer or annual statement will show the charge and when it ends.

Leaving early and paying the ERC can still make sense in some situations, for example if:

• You need to raise money for home improvements, a family member or a business, and your current lender will not lend more.

• You are moving home and your current deal cannot be moved to the new property. See our guide to moving home and porting your mortgage.

• The saving from a new deal is greater than the ERC and the other costs of switching.

Many lenders also allow you to overpay up to 10% of the balance each year without a charge, which can be another way to reduce what you owe before your deal ends. Check your own lender's terms.

What you need to remortgage early

• The date your current deal ends and any ERC that applies.

• An up-to-date estimate of your property's value and your remaining balance.

• Recent proof of income, such as payslips, or SA302s and tax year overviews if you are self-employed.

• Recent bank statements.

If your circumstances have changed since you took out your current mortgage, such as a change of job, a new self-employed business or a separation, talk to an adviser early, as this can affect which lenders will consider you.

How PMS Mortgages can help

We are a whole-of-market mortgage broker. We can compare your existing lender's product transfer options with deals from across the market, secure a rate in advance, and keep reviewing it until your new deal starts. Our mortgage advice is fee-free, and your first consultation is free and with no obligation. Get in touch to start your review.

Information in this article was checked in November 2026 and can change at any time. All lending is subject to the lender's affordability assessment, credit checks and property valuation.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.