An offset mortgage is a type of home loan where your savings and/or current account balance is linked to your mortgage so that the lender calculates interest only on the mortgage balance minus your savings balance. This can reduce the overall interest you pay.
An offset mortgage links your savings to your mortgage so interest is only charged on the balance after savings are deducted, reducing the interest you pay.
You take out a mortgage and open a linked savings or current account
The lender subtracts your savings balance from your mortgage balance
Interest is charged only on the remaining amount, for example for every extra £1 saved, you pay interest on £1 less of your mortgage balance. Conversely, withdrawing savings increases the interest you pay.
You can usually choose to:
pay lower monthly repayments, or
keep repayments the same and pay off your mortgage faster
Your savings remain accessible, but if you withdraw money, the amount offset and the interest saving is reduced.
If you have a £200,000 mortgage and £20,000 in linked savings, you’ll pay interest on £180,000, not the full mortgage balance. This can reduce the total interest you pay over time.
Make sure to compare offset mortgages with potential earnings from high-interest savings accounts to find the best option.
"An offset mortgage links your savings to your mortgage so interest is only charged on the balance after savings are deducted, reducing the interest you pay."
Offset mortgage rates are typically slightly higher than those on standard repayment mortgages. But in many cases, the interest savings you make by offsetting your savings balance can more than make up for this difference. As with any mortgage, the offset mortgage rate you’re offered will depend on your credit history and how much you want to borrow.
To get the best offset mortgage rate, it’s important to decide whether you’d save more by keeping your money in a high-interest savings account or by choosing a different type of mortgage with a lower interest rate.
For example: if your savings account pays 0.5% interest on a £20,000 balance (giving you £100 a year), you should subtract this from the total you’d save through an offset mortgage to work out which option offers better value.
They can be. Most lenders give you two options:
You choose to pay interest only on the mortgage balance after subtracting your savings.
Or, you keep your monthly repayments the same but you're effectively overpaying your mortgage, shortening the mortgage term without increasing your monthly costs.
Yes you can normally still access your savings while they're in an offset account. However, bear in mind that if you withdraw a chunk of savings then this will mean you won't benefit as much from a reduction in interest payments.
Individual lenders may also have specific rules on withdrawals from an offset savings account, such as the amount of notice you need to give them. Make sure to check the terms and conditions for your offset mortgage deal.
Yes, many lenders let you link multiple savings accounts to your offset mortgage and some even offer the option to link family members savings accounts.
There’s not usually a limit to what you can offset, most lenders let you pay as much as you like into the savings account. If your savings balance is 100% of your mortgage, you won't be charged any interest.
Yes you can repay your mortgage early with an offset mortgage.
If you choose to keep your monthly repayments the same while offsetting your savings, you'll effectively be overpaying your mortgage each month. This helps reduce your mortgage balance faster, allowing you to pay off your mortgage early and shorten the overall term.
It depends on your situation, but in many cases, putting down a bigger deposit instead of choosing an offset mortgage could save you more money.
A larger deposit lowers your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, which usually gives you access to better mortgage rates and deals. This can sometimes lead to greater savings than using an offset account.
However, the right choice depends on your personal circumstances and financial goals. It’s a good idea to speak to a mortgage broker who can compare the full market and help you decide whether a bigger deposit or an offset mortgage will work best for you.
Use the links below to find out about other mortgages