Can I transfer my mortgage when I’m moving to a new home?

Porting your mortgage can sound easier than starting over. But is it always the best move?

Moving house is already a big job. Boxes, contracts, viewings, and on top of that, figuring out your mortgage again? If you already have a mortgage, the idea of just taking it with you might feel like a shortcut. That’s what porting is. But the real answer is: it depends.

In this article, we’ll break down:

• What “porting” your mortgage means.
• When it’s possible, and when it’s not.
• Pros and cons compared to switching lenders.
• Why many people end up choosing a new deal anyway.

1. What does “porting” a mortgage mean?

Porting means transferring your existing mortgage deal (with the same lender and interest rate) to a new property when you move house. You’re essentially keeping the same mortgage conditions, just switching addresses.

Sounds simple, right?

But there’s a catch. Most lenders will treat this like a new application, which means:

• They’ll check your income and affordability again.
• They’ll assess your credit.
• They’ll revalue the new property.
• You may need to pay fees or meet new lending rules. 

If you need to borrow more than your existing loan, the extra borrowing on a different rate and product than the one on your existing mortgage.

2. Common reasons porting doesn’t work.

Here’s where things can get tricky:

• Your income and credit commitments have changed since you took out your current mortgage.
• You’re moving to a property that doesn’t meet the lender’s criteria.
• You want to borrow more (which often means a second, more expensive loan on top).
• The lender doesn’t offer porting on your current deal.

Even if porting is technically allowed, your lender might decline the application, or the new terms may not be as favourable as they used to be.

3. Should you port or get a new mortgage?

Let’s compare.

Option	Pros	Cons
Porting	Keep your current interest rate (if it’s low). May avoid you paying an early repayment penalty if you’re tied into a product	May come with restrictions, fees, or re-application stress
New mortgage	Shop around for better rates, flexibility, or incentives	Early repayment charges may apply on old mortgage

Bottom line: if your existing mortgage rate is excellent, porting might save you money. But in today’s market, many movers find better deals by switching lenders entirely, especially with expert help.

How we can help.

Our advisers will:

• Check if your mortgage is portable.
• Run the numbers on porting vs. switching.
• Help you understand the costs, options, and timeframes.
• Handle the paperwork, and keep things moving smoothly.
• We speak your language, and we’ve already helped hundreds of clients get through complex moves with less stress and better results.

Use our mortgage calculator to get a sense of your new budget, then book a free consultation with our adviser who can help you avoid expensive mistakes.