What Happens to Mortgage Overpayments When You Remortgage? (UK)

Summary

This article explains how mortgage overpayments work during fixed-rate periods in the UK, including early repayment charges, lender rules, and common limitations. It is for general information only.

If you’ve been overpaying your mortgage, you may be wondering what happens to those overpayments when you remortgage.

Do they disappear?

Do they reduce your new loan?

And can overpaying before remortgaging actually put you in a better position?

In this guide, we explain exactly how mortgage overpayments affect remortgaging in the UK, what lenders look at, and how to plan overpayments around a remortgage for the best outcome.

Do mortgage overpayments carry over when you remortgage?

Yes — mortgage overpayments are not lost when you remortgage.

When you remortgage:

• Your outstanding balance is repaid

• Your new mortgage is based on the remaining balance

• Any overpayments you’ve made permanently reduce the amount you need to borrow

In simple terms:

Overpayments directly reduce your new mortgage size.

How overpayments affect your loan-to-value (LTV)

One of the biggest benefits of overpaying before a remortgage is the impact on your loan-to-value ratio (LTV).

Lower LTV can mean:

• Access to better interest rates

• More lender choice

• Lower monthly payments

For example, reducing your mortgage balance through overpayments could move you from:

• 85% LTV → 75% LTV

  or

• 75% LTV → 60% LTV

These thresholds often unlock cheaper rates.

👉 You can see how your balance reduces over time using the free mortgage overpayment calculator.

Is it worth overpaying just before remortgaging?

Often, yes — but timing matters.

Overpaying shortly before remortgaging can:

• Reduce your balance

• Improve your LTV

• Strengthen your application

However, you must stay within your lender’s overpayment allowance to avoid early repayment charges.

We explain these limits fully in

What is the UK mortgage overpayment cap?

What if you’re still in a fixed rate period?

If you’re remortgaging at the end of a fixed rate, most overpayment restrictions will soon fall away.

If you’re remortgaging early, you may face:

• Early repayment charges (ERCs)

• Exit fees

• Restrictions on how much you can overpay beforehand

We cover this scenario in more detail in

Can you overpay a mortgage during a fixed rate period?

Monthly overpayments vs lump sums before remortgaging

Both strategies can work — but they suit different situations.

• Monthly overpayments

  
  

  • Easier to manage

  • Lower risk of breaching caps

  
  

• Lump sum overpayments

  
  

  • Can quickly reduce LTV

  • Require careful timing

  
  

We compare these approaches in depth in

Lump sum vs monthly mortgage overpayments – which saves more?

Should you overpay or save before remortgaging?

Some homeowners choose to save instead of overpay, then use those savings:

• As a lump sum before remortgaging

• To reduce borrowing when switching deals

This can preserve flexibility — especially if savings rates are competitive.

We compare both strategies in

Mortgage overpayments vs savings accounts

How overpayments affect your new mortgage deal

When you remortgage, lenders typically assess:

• Outstanding balance

• Property value

• Income and affordability

Overpayments can:

• Lower your monthly repayments

• Shorten your mortgage term

• Improve rate eligibility

But lenders won’t usually “reward” overpayments directly — the benefit comes from the improved numbers.

Can overpayments shorten your mortgage term after remortgaging?

Yes.

If you’ve reduced your balance through overpayments, you can often:

• Keep the same monthly payment and shorten the term

  
  

  or

• Reduce payments and keep the term the same

This flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of overpaying consistently.

👉 The Advanced Mortgage Planner preview lets you model both outcomes and see how remortgaging interacts with overpayments over time.

Common mistakes to avoid before remortgaging

Before making large overpayments:

• Check your annual allowance

• Confirm when your fixed rate ends

• Avoid unnecessary ERCs

• Keep enough cash available for fees and emergencies

  
  

A little planning can prevent costly errors.

Final thoughts

Mortgage overpayments don’t disappear when you remortgage — they permanently reduce your debt and can significantly improve your next deal.

Used strategically, overpayments can:

• Improve LTV

• Unlock better rates

• Reduce interest

• Shorten your mortgage term

The key is timing and planning, especially around fixed rates and remortgage dates.