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Early Repayment Charge

Hello all,

I thought I was being clever back in 2018 when I fixed my mortgage for 10 years but now that I am selling my flat before buying I am faced with an early repayment charge (ERC) of over £9k. 

The mortgage is with TSB and after speaking with them I have found out that I have three months post sale to port the mortgage and be refunded the £9k, meaning I have to complete on a house in that time to avoid the charge. 

The reason for selling before buying is to be in an advantageous position when it comes to making an offer on a property and to have a better understanding of our buying position. The market in Edinburgh for 3/4 bed houses in the area we are looking is a seller's market and they prefer buyers chain free. 

My wife also owns a flat that we would prefer not to sell but will do if affordability requires us to do.

Does anyone know of alternative ways to avoid the ERC?

We had thought of moving the mortgage to my wife's flat but that doesn't sound feasible according to our broker. 

Thanks!

Comments

  • ACG
    ACG Posts: 24,881 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've helped Parliament
    Usually when porting, it has to be to at the same time as buying the property. Transferring it to an existing property is not usually possible. 
    I am a Mortgage Adviser
    You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a mortgage adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice.
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