Yes, you can usually add someone to your mortgage when you remortgage, but it depends on your lender’s criteria, your circumstances, and the person you want to add. This is a common question for UK homeowners and often arises when couples move in together, get married, or want to share responsibility for a home.
This guide explains how it works, what lenders look at, the costs involved, and whether it is the right decision for you.
What Does Adding Someone When You Remortgage Mean?
Adding someone to a mortgage during a remortgage usually involves a transfer of equity. This means changing the legal ownership of the property at the same time as switching to a new mortgage deal.
In most cases, the person being added will become a joint owner of the property and be jointly responsible for the mortgage payments. From the lender’s point of view, this is treated as a new mortgage application, even if you already own the property and have been paying the mortgage for years.
Why Do People Add Someone When Remortgaging?
There are several common reasons homeowners choose to add someone to their mortgage at remortgage stage.
Many people do this when moving in with a partner and wanting both names on the mortgage and deeds. Others add a spouse or civil partner after marriage. Some homeowners want to improve affordability by combining incomes, while others want to share financial responsibility for mortgage payments and household costs.
Remortgaging is often the most practical time to make this change, as the existing mortgage is already being replaced.
Will All Lenders Allow You to Add Someone?
Not every lender will agree, but many UK lenders do allow you to add someone when remortgaging, subject to checks.
The lender will assess both applicants in full. This includes income and employment details, credit history, age, outstanding debts, and overall affordability. They will also consider the property value and loan to value.
If the person being added has poor credit or unstable income, this can affect whether the mortgage is approved or the interest rate offered.
Do You Have to Add Them to the Property Deeds?
In most cases, yes. If someone is added to the mortgage, they are also added to the property’s title deeds through a transfer of equity.
You will usually choose between joint tenants, where both owners own the whole property together, or tenants in common, where ownership is split into defined shares. A solicitor will explain the difference and help you decide which option suits your circumstances.
Will Adding Someone Increase How Much You Can Borrow?
It can do, but it is not guaranteed.
Adding someone may increase how much you can borrow if their income strengthens the application and your combined affordability improves. This is often helpful if you are planning home improvements or want to raise additional funds when remortgaging.
However, borrowing power can also reduce if the new applicant has a low income, significant debts, a lower credit score, or if their age shortens the maximum mortgage term available.
What Are the Costs of Adding Someone When Remortgaging?
Adding someone usually involves extra costs compared to a standard remortgage.
You may need to pay solicitor or conveyancing fees for the transfer of equity, as well as standard remortgage legal costs. There may also be a mortgage arrangement fee and a valuation fee, depending on the lender.
Stamp Duty Land Tax can sometimes apply if the person being added is taking on part of the mortgage debt, even if no money changes hands. This often surprises homeowners, so it is important to check before proceeding.
Can You Add Someone Who Is Not a Partner?
Yes, it is possible to add a family member, friend, or adult child when remortgaging. The lender will still carry out the same affordability and credit checks.
Some lenders are more cautious with non standard arrangements, particularly if ownership shares are unequal. In these cases, advice can be especially helpful.
Can You Add Someone but Keep the Mortgage in One Name?
This is less common. Most lenders require everyone named on the mortgage to also be named on the deeds, and vice versa.
There are some exceptions, but these are lender specific and often come with restrictions. If this applies to you, specialist advice is usually required.
Is Remortgaging the Best Time to Add Someone?
For many homeowners, yes. Adding someone at remortgage stage is often simpler and more cost effective than making changes mid deal.
It allows you to align the ownership change with a new mortgage rate and avoids paying early repayment charges on your existing mortgage. That said, it is still a major financial decision and should not be rushed.
What Are the Risks of Adding Someone to Your Mortgage?
Before going ahead, it is important to understand the risks.
You will both be jointly liable for the full mortgage, not just your share. Missed payments affect both credit records. If circumstances change in the future, removing someone from a mortgage can be complex and expensive.
For this reason, independent legal advice is often recommended, especially where one person is contributing more financially than the other.
Should You Speak to a Mortgage Adviser?
Adding someone when remortgaging is not just an administrative change. Lender criteria, affordability models, and legal requirements vary.
A mortgage adviser can check which lenders will allow the change, compare remortgage deals across the market, explain the full costs involved, and help avoid delays or declined applications.
The Bottom Line
When you remortgage, you can usually add someone to your mortgage, provided you meet the lender’s affordability and eligibility requirements. The process typically involves a transfer of equity, legal work, and a full mortgage assessment of both parties.
While it can be a sensible way to share ownership and responsibility, it is a long term financial commitment. Taking advice before you apply can help you make the right decision and move forward with confidence.
Looking for Expert Remortgage Advice?
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