The Remortgaging Preparation Checklist – Full Guide

Remortgaging well means starting early and having the right information to hand — leaving it too late is the single most common (and most costly) remortgaging mistake, since it risks drifting onto your lender's expensive Standard Variable Rate. Work through this checklist in the months before your current deal ends.

3-6 months before your deal ends

• Note your exact current deal end date, and set a reminder well in advance
• Check whether your current lender allows you to secure a new rate in advance, and to switch to a better one before completion if rates move
• Check your current mortgage balance and property's estimated current value, to work out your approximate loan-to-value
• Check your credit report across all three agencies for accuracy — see our guide on checking your credit score for free

Documents to gather

• Recent payslips (typically the last 3 months) or, if self-employed, your latest accounts or SA302s
• Bank statements covering your main current account
• Details of any existing debts, credit cards or loans, including up-to-date balances
• Your current mortgage statement, showing balance, rate and remaining term
• Proof of ID and address, if applying with a new lender

Questions to answer before comparing deals

1. Do you want to stay with your current lender (a product transfer, often faster with less paperwork) or switch to a new one (potentially better rates, but a fuller application)?
2. How long do you want to fix for, given your plans over the next few years?
3. Do you want to borrow more at the same time — for home improvements or debt consolidation — and if so, how does that affect the total cost?
4. Are there any Early Repayment Charges on your current deal if you need to act before it technically ends?

Comparing your options properly

• Compare total cost over your intended deal length, not just the headline rate
• Check arrangement fees and any other charges on each option
• Run your numbers through our Remortgage Cost & Savings Calculator
• Consider a whole-of-market broker if your circumstances are anything other than straightforward

In the final weeks before completion

• Confirm your new offer and check every detail matches what was agreed
• Arrange any required valuation or legal work promptly to avoid delays
• Confirm your old mortgage's exact final repayment date and amount with your current lender
• Set up your new payment details ahead of the first payment date on the new deal

The bottom line

Good remortgaging outcomes come from starting early, not from finding one perfect deal at the last minute. Work through this checklist a few months ahead of your current deal ending, and you'll be in a strong position to compare properly and avoid an expensive drift onto your lender's Standard Variable Rate.