If you’ve got a mortgage and your life situation has changed, you might be wondering — can I just transfer my mortgage to someone else? At Mortgage Bridge, we get asked this a lot, and the truth is, it’s not always straightforward. But in many cases, yes, it can be done.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know — based on our real experience helping people transfer mortgages, especially when credit isn’t perfect or life throws you a curveball like divorce, inheritance, or moving on with someone new.
What Does It Actually Mean to Transfer a Mortgage?
So, what is a mortgage transfer? It’s basically when you change who’s responsible for a mortgage — by adding someone, removing someone, or swapping names entirely. It’s often done through something called a transfer of equity.
We’ve helped people transfer their mortgage for all kinds of reasons:
- After a breakup or divorce
- Adding a partner or family member to the mortgage
- Helping a child get on the property ladder
- Restructuring ownership for tax or estate planning
It sounds simple — but there are a few hoops to jump through. Let’s break it down.
Can I Just Hand Over My Mortgage Without Remortgaging?
Sometimes yes, but it depends on your lender. They have to agree to the transfer, and they’ll want to check if the person taking over (or being added) can actually afford the payments.
When we help clients with this, the first step is always checking with the lender. If they say yes, great — we help with the legal work. If not, we may need to look at remortgaging instead.
When Does Transferring a Mortgage Make Sense?
What If I’m Going Through a Divorce or Separation?
We’ve worked with so many clients going through this. If one of you wants to keep the house, you’ll probably need to transfer the mortgage into just your name. That’s called a joint mortgage to single mortgage transfer. You’ll need to:
- Get the lender’s permission
- Show you can afford it on your own
- Work with a solicitor to sort the legal side
Until the lender officially removes your ex, both of you are still legally responsible — even if only one of you lives there.
Can I Gift My Home to a Family Member If There’s Still a Mortgage?
Yes, but again, it depends on the lender. We’ve helped parents gift property with a mortgage to children before — often as part of inheritance planning. It’s done via a transfer of equity, but keep in mind there might be stamp duty or tax implications.
Can I Add My Partner to My Mortgage?
Totally doable — as long as your lender agrees and your partner qualifies. A lot of people do this when they move in with someone or want to share the responsibility. Just like with any transfer, the lender will run affordability checks.
Can I Plan Ahead and Transfer My Mortgage to My Kids?
We’ve had clients ask about this for estate planning reasons. You can transfer mortgage ownership to a family member, but it’s not something to rush. Always check with a financial advisor or solicitor — we can help connect you.
How Do I Transfer a Mortgage? What’s the Process?
Here’s a simple step-by-step of what we usually help clients through:
Step 1: Call Your Lender
We always start here. Some people ask us, can I transfer a mortgage without changing the deed? Usually not — the mortgage and property title need to match.
Step 2: Lender Checks
The person taking over or joining the mortgage will go through checks — credit history, income, debts. If they don’t pass, we look at other options.
Step 3: Property Valuation
Lenders might want a valuation, especially if someone’s buying the other person out — like in a divorce.
Step 4: Legal Work
We’ll link you with a trusted solicitor or conveyancer to handle all the paperwork (TR1 forms, transfer deeds, etc). You usually can’t do this without one.
Step 5: Stamp Duty (Maybe)
Depending on how the transfer is structured, there might be Stamp Duty Land Tax to pay. It’s not always the case — for example, between spouses — but we’ll make sure you get the full picture.
What Should I Know Before Going Ahead?
These are the most common questions we hear:
- Do I need a solicitor? Yes. It’s not something you should DIY — legal work is essential.
- Am I still liable after the transfer? If your name is on the mortgage, yes. You’re on the hook unless the lender removes you.
- Can I stay on the mortgage but not on the deeds? Usually no — lenders need both to match.
- Can I keep my interest rate or deal? Possibly. Some lenders allow it, some don’t. We’ll help you ask the right questions.
- How long does it take? Typically 4–8 weeks, but we’ve seen faster and slower depending on the situation.
What Are the Costs Involved?
Here’s what to budget for:
- Legal fees: Usually £300–£800
- Lender admin charges: Around £50–£200
- Valuation fees: Depends on the lender
- Stamp Duty: Only in specific cases
We always give our clients a breakdown of the costs upfront.
What If the Lender Says No?
It happens. Some lenders are stricter than others. If they say no to the transfer, we can explore remortgaging — either with your current lender or a new one. We do all the legwork.
FAQs We Get All the Time
What Checks Will the Lender Do?
They’ll check credit scores, income, current debts, and sometimes your job status.
Can I Take Over Someone Else’s Mortgage?
Yes — if you meet the lender’s criteria and they approve it.
How Do I Remove My Ex from the Mortgage?
You’ll need to prove you can afford the mortgage solo and get the lender’s consent.
Can I Add My Child to My Mortgage?
Yes, but they need to pass the lender’s checks too.
So, Can I Actually Transfer My Mortgage to Someone Else?
In many cases, yes — and we’ve helped people do it time and time again. But it’s not always easy, and there are a lot of moving parts. That’s why we always recommend chatting to someone who does this every day (like us!).
At Mortgage Bridge, we specialise in helping people through this kind of thing — whether you’ve got bad credit, a complex situation, or just want someone to take the pressure off.
Thinking about transferring your mortgage?
Let’s have a quick chat. No pressure, just honest advice from people who get it.
Reach out to the Mortgage Bridge team today — we’re ready when you are.