Large numbers of fixed-rate mortgage deals are due to end across the UK in 2026. Many of those borrowers locked in during 2020 and 2021, when rates were at historic lows. If your deal is ending this year, or you have already rolled onto your lender’s standard variable rate, the question is straightforward: should you remortgage now, and if so, how?
This guide covers what you need to know about remortgaging in 2026, including when to start the process, what it costs, and how to decide between switching lender and staying put. It is written for Colchester homeowners, but the principles apply wherever you own property.
Why 2026 Is a Critical Year for Mortgage Holders
Borrowers coming off five-year fixed deals taken out in 2021 are likely to see their payments increase. The rates available in 2021 were significantly lower than those available today. While current fixed rates are considerably below the peaks seen in late 2022 and 2023, they remain above the levels many borrowers have been paying.
At the same time, borrowers coming off two-year fixes taken out in early 2024 may find that rates have fallen since they last fixed, meaning a switch could reduce their payments.
The one thing that is clear for almost everyone is that doing nothing — and allowing your mortgage to roll onto your lender’s standard variable rate — is likely to cost you significantly more than actively securing a new deal. SVRs are typically well above the rates available on fixed and tracker products.
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
When your fixed-rate deal ends, your lender will automatically move you onto their standard variable rate. SVRs vary by lender, but they are typically meaningfully higher than the rates available on many fixed and tracker products.
On a typical mortgage, the difference between an SVR and a competitive fixed rate can be material over time. Over a full year, the gap can easily amount to thousands of pounds.
There is no early repayment charge on an SVR, which means you can leave at any time. However, every month you stay on it without reviewing your options is a month of potentially higher payments.
Remortgage in Colchester in 2026: When to Start
Many lenders allow you to apply and secure a product several months in advance. This can give you time to complete without rushing, and in some cases you may still be able to switch to a different product if pricing improves before completion.
If your deal ends in the next six months, you should be exploring your options now. If it ends in more than six months, it is still worth understanding your position so you are prepared when the window opens.
A Practical Timeline
Six months before your deal ends: Start reviewing options. Check what your current lender is offering by way of a product transfer, and speak to a broker about what the wider market looks like.
Four to five months before: Submit your application. If you are switching to a new lender, the process typically takes four to eight weeks, so allow time for valuation, legal work, and any complications.
One month before: Confirm your new deal is in place and the completion date aligns with the end of your current fixed period. This avoids both early repayment charges and any time spent on the SVR.
If you are already on the SVR: Act now. There is no penalty for leaving, and every month on the SVR without a plan is a month of higher payments.
Product Transfer or Remortgage: Which Is Right for You?
When your deal ends, you broadly have two options: accept a new deal from your current lender (a product transfer) or switch to a new lender (a remortgage). Both have advantages, and the right choice depends on your circumstances.
Product Transfer
A product transfer means staying with your existing lender but moving to a new rate. The process is typically quicker and simpler than a full remortgage. There is usually no need for a new valuation, no conveyancing, and in many cases no fresh affordability assessment. This makes it a good option if your circumstances have changed in a way that might make passing new affordability checks difficult, or if you simply want a straightforward switch.
The main limitation is choice. You are restricted to whatever your current lender offers, and their rates may not be the most competitive in the wider market.
Full Remortgage
Remortgaging to a new lender opens up the entire market. You may find a more competitive rate, and you can also use the opportunity to borrow additional funds, change your mortgage term, or move to a different type of product. The process involves a new application, credit check, property valuation, and legal work, which typically takes four to eight weeks.
Some lenders offer incentives such as free legal work or free valuations for remortgage customers, which can offset the additional cost and effort.
| Product Transfer | Remortgage | |
| Speed | Typically days to weeks | Typically 4–8 weeks |
| Valuation required? | Usually not | Usually yes |
| Legal work required? | No | Yes (sometimes free) |
| Affordability check? | Often not required | Full assessment |
| Can you borrow more? | Limited — may need further advance | Yes |
| Product choice | Your lender’s range only | Whole market |
| Best for | Speed, simplicity, changed circumstances | Best rate, additional borrowing, flexibility |
A broker can compare your lender’s product transfer offer against the wider market, so you can see the full picture before deciding. Sometimes a product transfer is genuinely the better option; sometimes it is not.
Early Repayment Charges: What to Watch For
If your fixed-rate deal has not yet ended, leaving early will usually trigger an early repayment charge. ERCs are typically between 1% and 5% of the outstanding mortgage balance, and they reduce as you get closer to the end of the deal.
On a £200,000 mortgage, an ERC of 3% would be £6,000 — a significant sum that could outweigh any saving from moving to a lower rate. This is why timing matters. Switching too early costs money in ERCs; switching too late means spending time on the SVR.
Check your mortgage offer or annual statement to see when your ERC period ends. In some cases, the ERC end date does not align exactly with the end of your fixed rate, so it is worth confirming the precise dates with your lender.
There is no ERC once you are on the SVR, and most tracker mortgages do not carry ERCs either.
What Does Remortgaging Cost?
If you are doing a product transfer with your existing lender, there may be little or no cost beyond the arrangement fee on the new product (and some lenders waive this for transfers).
If you are remortgaging to a new lender, the typical costs include:
Arrangement or product fee. This varies by product. Some lenders offer fee-free products with a slightly higher rate; others charge fees that can be added to the loan. The total cost over the deal period is what matters, not just the headline rate or the fee in isolation.
Valuation fee. Some lenders include a free basic valuation as part of the remortgage offer. If not, you may need to pay for one.
Legal fees. Many remortgage products include free legal work for standard cases. If yours does not, conveyancing costs for a remortgage are typically lower than for a purchase.
Broker fee. This depends on the broker. Some charge a flat fee, some charge a percentage, and some are fee-free (receiving commission from the lender instead). A broker fee may apply depending on your circumstances — at Fitch & Fitch, we will always confirm this before you commit to proceeding.
A broker should compare the total cost of each option over the deal period — not just the interest rate — so you can make a like-for-like comparison.
Should You Fix or Track?
This depends on your attitude to risk and your view on where interest rates are heading.
Fixed Rate
A fixed rate gives you certainty. Your payments stay the same for the duration of the deal, regardless of what happens to the Bank of England base rate. This makes budgeting straightforward and protects you if rates rise. The trade-off is that if rates fall, you will not benefit unless you switch — and switching during a fixed period usually means paying an ERC.
Tracker Rate
A tracker follows the Bank of England base rate plus a set margin. If the base rate falls, your payments fall with it. If it rises, your payments increase. Most tracker products do not carry early repayment charges, which gives you flexibility to switch to a fixed rate later if you choose.
As at February 2026, Bank Rate stands at 3.75%. The right choice between fixed and tracker should be based on affordability and your tolerance for payment movement. A broker can talk you through the implications of each option based on your individual circumstances.
Remortgaging in the Colchester Market
Colchester property values have varied by area and property type. For many homeowners, equity can still improve over time as the mortgage balance reduces, which may improve your loan-to-value ratio at remortgage.
A stronger equity position — meaning a lower loan-to-value ratio — can unlock better rates when you remortgage. If you originally bought with a 10% deposit and have been making repayments for several years, you may now sit at 80% or 75% LTV, which typically gives access to a wider and more competitive range of products.
This is worth checking before you remortgage. If your property value has held or increased, your LTV may have improved more than you expect, and that can make a meaningful difference to the rate you are offered.For a personalised view of what you can borrow, see our Colchester borrowing guide.
Common Mistakes When Remortgaging
Accepting your lender’s first offer without comparing the market. Your lender’s product transfer may be competitive, but it may not be. Without comparing it against the wider market, you cannot know.
Focusing on the rate alone. A low headline rate with a large arrangement fee can cost more over the deal period than a slightly higher rate with no fee. Always compare total cost.
Leaving it too late. If you start the process only a few weeks before your deal ends, you may not have time to complete a remortgage with a new lender and could end up on the SVR by default.
Ignoring your equity position. If your LTV has improved since you last fixed, you may qualify for better rates than you expect. A broker can check this for you.
Not considering your wider financial picture. Remortgaging can be an opportunity to restructure — adjusting your term, switching repayment type, or consolidating other debts. But any changes should be considered carefully, as extending your term increases the total interest paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a product transfer?
A product transfer is when you switch to a new deal with your existing lender. It is usually quicker and simpler than a full remortgage, but limits your choice to one lender’s products. For more on how brokers work and why they compare across the market, see our guide to what a mortgage broker does.
Will I have to pay an early repayment charge?
Only if you leave your current deal before it ends. ERCs typically range from 1% to 5% of the outstanding balance and reduce over time. Once you are on the SVR, there is no ERC. Check your mortgage offer or annual statement for the exact dates and amounts.
Can I remortgage if my circumstances have changed?
This depends on what has changed. If your income has fallen, you have taken on additional debt, or your employment status has changed, some lenders may not approve a new application. A product transfer with your existing lender may be more straightforward in this situation, as it often does not require a fresh affordability assessment. A broker can advise on which route is most likely to work.
Can I borrow more when I remortgage?
Yes, if you remortgage to a new lender you can typically borrow additional funds, subject to affordability and your property’s value. This is commonly done to fund home improvements or consolidate other debts. If you are doing a product transfer, your options for borrowing more are usually more limited — you would typically need to apply for a further advance separately.
How much does it cost to remortgage?
A product transfer may have little or no cost. A full remortgage to a new lender may involve an arrangement fee, valuation fee, and legal fees, though many lenders offer free valuations and legal work for remortgage customers. A broker should present the total cost of each option so you can compare like for like.
Should I fix for two years or five years?
There is no universally right answer. A two-year fix gives you flexibility to reassess sooner, which may be attractive if you expect rates to fall. A five-year fix gives you longer payment certainty. The best choice depends on your financial position, your plans for the property, and your tolerance for uncertainty. A broker can help you weigh up the options.
Is it worth remortgaging for a small saving?
A broker can run the numbers so you can see the net benefit clearly. See our guide to choosing a mortgage broker in Colchester explains what to look for and how to verify a firm’s credentials.
Remortgage Colchester: when should I start?
If you own a property in Colchester and your fixed-rate deal ends within the next six months, now is the time to explore your options. Many lenders allow you to secure a new product several months ahead of your deal ending, which gives you time to compare without rushing. If you are already on your lender’s SVR, you can switch at any time without penalty. Speaking to a broker early is the most practical first step.
Next Steps
If your mortgage deal ends in the next six months, or you are already on your lender’s SVR, the practical next step is to review your options early.
At Fitch & Fitch, we can compare a product transfer with the wider market and outline the most suitable route based on your circumstances.
Visit our Colchester page to book a consultation, or call 01206 587087.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.