An offset mortgage uses your savings to reduce the interest you pay by linking your savings balance to your mortgage. This makes your savings work harder, especially if your mortgage rate is higher than savings rates.
You still repay both capital and interest monthly, but interest is charged only on your mortgage balance minus your savings.
How offset mortgages work:
You transfer your savings to an account with your mortgage lender that’s linked to your mortgage.
You retain full access to your savings and can add or withdraw funds anytime.
For every extra £1 saved, you pay interest on £1 less of your mortgage balance. Conversely, withdrawing savings increases the interest you pay.
Make sure to compare offset mortgages with potential earnings from high-interest savings accounts to find the best option.
Offset mortgage example:
If you owe £200,000 on your mortgage and have £20,000 in savings, you’ll pay interest only on £180,000 - as long as those savings remain in your offset account.
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 deal for your needs, it’s important to weigh up 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