Mortgage guide
Can I port my mortgage when I move home?
Many mortgages are portable, which can allow you to take an existing mortgage deal to a new property. But porting is still treated as a new mortgage application, so keeping the same deal is not automatically guaranteed.
The basics
You take the mortgage deal to a different property — not the existing loan unchanged.
MoneyHelper says most mortgages are now portable. In practical terms, porting can allow the existing mortgage deal or rate to be carried across when you move home.
However, the old mortgage is redeemed when the property is sold and the lender assesses the mortgage against the new property and your circumstances.
The lender still needs to approve the new mortgage and the new property.
Approval
You normally have to qualify again.
MoneyHelper states that porting is treated like applying for a new mortgage. This means the lender can carry out affordability checks and apply its current lending criteria.
Affordability
The lender can reassess income, expenditure and existing commitments.
Credit position
Changes in your credit circumstances since the original mortgage can affect approval.
New property
The property itself must meet the lender's security and valuation requirements.
Current criteria
You generally need to satisfy the lender's criteria at the time of the move, not only the criteria that applied when the original mortgage was arranged.
Moving to a more expensive home
Additional borrowing may sit on a different mortgage product.
If the new home requires a larger mortgage, MoneyHelper notes that the existing balance may remain on the ported fixed or discounted deal while the extra borrowing is placed on a separate product.
This can leave two parts of the mortgage with different rates, deal end dates and potentially different charges.
Compare that structure with the cost of placing all of the borrowing onto a new deal where appropriate.
Moving to a cheaper home
Borrowing less can still affect the existing mortgage.
If you sell and need a smaller mortgage on the new property, part of the existing borrowing may need to be repaid. Depending on the terms and timing, an Early Repayment Charge could potentially apply to the amount repaid.
The lender's rules for porting, partial repayment and any applicable ERC therefore need to be checked before committing to the move.
Timing & charges
Porting can sometimes help avoid an Early Repayment Charge — but timing matters.
MoneyHelper notes that porting commonly takes place alongside the sale and purchase to avoid an ERC. If the transactions do not complete together, lender-specific rules can become important.
Check the lender's porting conditions, completion timing, any permitted gap between transactions and whether charges are refunded if applicable.
Making the decision
Porting the existing deal is one option, not necessarily the only one.
Existing rate
Is the rate worth preserving compared with suitable new mortgage options?
Additional borrowing
Will extra borrowing create a second mortgage part on a different rate?
ERC
What would it cost to leave the existing mortgage instead?
Fees
Compare product, valuation, legal and other relevant costs.
Future simplicity
Different deal end dates can make later mortgage reviews more complicated.
Eligibility
The lender still has to approve both you and the new property.
The best route depends on the existing deal, ERC, new borrowing requirement, available products and your circumstances.
Home mover advice
Moving home with an existing mortgage?
We can compare porting your current deal with arranging a new mortgage, including the effect of additional borrowing, early repayment charges, fees and lender criteria.
Book a conversationThis guide is for general information only and is not personal mortgage or financial advice. Porting is subject to lender approval, affordability, property eligibility and the terms of the existing mortgage. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Content checked against current FCA and MoneyHelper guidance on 16 September 2026.