Timing your remortgage well can save you hundreds of pounds and a lot of stress, while leaving it too late can land you on an expensive rate. So when should you actually start? This guide explains the best time to remortgage, covering when to begin, how far ahead to lock in, and the situations that prompt a switch.
Start before your current deal ends
The single most important timing rule is to start before your current deal ends, not after. Because remortgaging takes time, you want your new deal ready to begin the moment your old one finishes. Leaving it until your deal has already ended risks falling onto the standard variable rate, even for a month or two, which can cost far more than the same loan on a competitive fixed deal.
How far ahead to begin
For most people, the ideal time to begin is around three to six months before the current deal ends. This gives time to compare deals, apply, have the property valued and complete the legal work, so the new deal starts exactly as the old one expires. The remortgage process commonly takes around eight to ten weeks, so starting several months ahead provides a comfortable margin for any delays.
Locking in a rate early
Many lenders let you lock in a new rate up to around six months in advance, which can work in your favour. If rates rise before you complete, you are protected at the rate you secured. If rates fall, you can often switch to the lower rate before completing. This makes starting early low-risk, since you can secure a deal now and still benefit if rates improve before it begins.
Avoiding the standard variable rate
The whole point of good timing is to avoid spending any time on the standard variable rate, which in 2026 averages around 7%, well above competitive deals. Every month on the SVR is money wasted on the same loan. If you are already on the SVR, the priority is to remortgage as soon as possible, as our guide to what happens when your fixed rate ends explains.
Early repayment charges and timing
Timing also interacts with early repayment charges. Leaving your current deal before it ends usually triggers an early repayment charge, so many people time their remortgage to complete as their deal ends and the charge falls away, as our guide to early repayment charges explains. Occasionally it is worth paying a charge to switch early if rates have fallen enough, but that needs careful calculation.
When circumstances prompt a remortgage
Beyond the end of a deal, certain circumstances can prompt a remortgage at other times: wanting to release equity, needing to change who is on the mortgage after a relationship change, or your home rising in value enough to reach a better loan-to-value band. In these cases the timing is driven by your needs rather than the calendar, though early repayment charges still need to be considered.
If your home has risen in value
If your home has increased in value, you may have crossed into a lower loan-to-value band, which can unlock better rates, as our guide to how a higher home value lowers your LTV explains. This can make remortgaging worthwhile even if your deal has a while to run, provided any early repayment charge does not outweigh the saving. Checking your current loan-to-value is a useful prompt to review your mortgage.
Reviewing your mortgage regularly
Even between deals, it is worth reviewing your mortgage from time to time, so you know when your deal ends and can plan ahead. Putting a reminder in your calendar a few months before your deal expires ensures you never drift onto the SVR by accident. A mortgage is a long commitment, and a little attention at the right moments keeps it on a competitive rate.
The eight to ten week process
It helps to understand why starting early matters. A remortgage commonly takes around eight to ten weeks from beginning the process to completing, allowing for comparing deals, applying, the valuation, and the legal work. Building in this time, plus a margin for any hold-ups, is why three to six months ahead is the sensible window. Rushing at the last minute risks your old deal ending before the new one is ready.
Why offers last around six months
Mortgage offers are typically valid for around six months, which is why you can start well ahead without the offer expiring before your current deal ends. This gives you a comfortable window to secure a new deal early and have it ready to begin on time. Because there is little downside to starting early, and real risk in starting late, erring on the side of beginning sooner is wise.
Set a reminder
A simple, effective habit is to note your deal's end date and set a reminder a few months before, prompting you to start the remortgage process. This stops you drifting onto the standard variable rate by simply forgetting. Because the cost of missing the window is high, a reminder in your calendar is one of the easiest ways to make sure you always switch in good time.
If you are already on the SVR
If your deal has already ended and you are on the standard variable rate, the best time to remortgage is now, because every month on the SVR usually costs more than a competitive deal would. There is generally no early repayment charge on the SVR, so you are free to switch immediately. Acting promptly to move off the SVR is one of the most valuable things a homeowner can do.
Timing for other reasons
If you are remortgaging for a reason other than the end of a deal, such as releasing equity or changing who is on the mortgage, the timing is driven by your need rather than the calendar. In these cases, factor in any early repayment charge on your current deal, as our guide to ERCs explains, since leaving a deal early can be costly enough to affect when you act.
Plan ahead for peace of mind
Good remortgage timing is mostly about planning ahead rather than reacting. By knowing your deal's end date, starting three to six months early, and locking in a rate you can improve on if the market falls, you take the stress out of the process and avoid the costly standard variable rate. A little forward planning turns remortgaging from a last-minute scramble into a smooth, money-saving routine.
Above all, the cardinal rule is never to let a deal simply lapse onto the standard variable rate through inaction, since that is the one timing mistake that reliably costs homeowners the most for no benefit at all.
In short
The best time to remortgage is three to six months before your current deal ends, so your new deal starts as the old one finishes and you avoid the standard variable rate. Lock in a rate early, since you can usually switch to a lower one if rates fall before completion. Watch early repayment charges, and review your mortgage whenever your circumstances or your home's value change.
Where to get help and next steps
Read our guides to remortgaging, early repayment charges and how to avoid them, and remortgaging before your fixed deal ends. This is general information, not mortgage or financial advice.