How to Use This Calculator
Step-by-Step Guide
- Enter Your Current Mortgage Balance: Input the outstanding amount you owe on your mortgage. This is the total amount you still need to repay, not the original loan amount.
- Input Your Interest Rate: Enter your current mortgage interest rate as a percentage (e.g., 5.5%). This is the rate you're currently paying, not the initial rate.
- Specify Remaining Term: Enter how many years are left on your mortgage. For example, if you have a 25-year mortgage and you're 5 years in, enter 20 years.
- Enter Early Repayment Amount: Input how much you want to pay off early. This could be a lump sum from savings, inheritance, or bonus.
- Add ERC Percentage: Enter the early repayment charge percentage from your mortgage terms (typically 1-5%). If you're within your 10% allowance, enter 0%.
- Optional ERC Cap: If your mortgage has a maximum ERC amount (cap), enter it here. Many lenders cap ERCs at £5,000-£10,000.
Understanding Your Results
- Net Savings: This is your total benefit after deducting the ERC from interest savings. A positive number means early repayment saves you money.
- Early Repayment Charge: The fee you'll pay for repaying early, calculated as a percentage of your repayment amount (capped if applicable).
- Interest Saved: The total interest you'll avoid paying over the remaining mortgage term by reducing your balance now.
- New Monthly Payment: Your reduced monthly payment after the early repayment (assuming you keep the same term).
- New Balance: Your remaining mortgage balance after the early repayment.
- Monthly Saving: How much less you'll pay each month compared to your current payment.
Real-World Early Repayment Examples
Example 1: Small Early Repayment (Within 10% Allowance)
Scenario: Sarah has a £250,000 mortgage at 5.5% with 20 years remaining. She wants to repay £10,000 from her savings.
- Mortgage Balance: £250,000
- Interest Rate: 5.5%
- Remaining Term: 20 years
- Early Repayment: £10,000 (4% of balance - within 10% allowance)
- ERC: 0% (within allowance)
Results:
- Early Repayment Charge: £0
- Interest Saved: £15,420 over 20 years
- Net Savings: £15,420
- New Monthly Payment: £1,636 (down from £1,717)
- Monthly Saving: £81
Recommendation: Excellent opportunity! No ERC to pay and significant long-term savings. Proceed if you have adequate emergency funds.
Example 2: Large Early Repayment (With ERC)
Scenario: John has a £300,000 mortgage at 4.5% with 18 years remaining. He received a £50,000 inheritance and wants to pay it off early, but he's in a fixed-rate period with a 2% ERC.
- Mortgage Balance: £300,000
- Interest Rate: 4.5%
- Remaining Term: 18 years
- Early Repayment: £50,000 (16.7% of balance - exceeds 10% allowance)
- ERC: 2% on £20,000 excess (£30,000 is within 10% allowance)
Results:
- Early Repayment Charge: £400 (2% of £20,000 excess)
- Interest Saved: £32,850 over 18 years
- Net Savings: £32,450
- New Monthly Payment: £1,582 (down from £1,898)
- Monthly Saving: £316
Recommendation: Good opportunity! Even with the £400 ERC, you'll save £32,450 over the term. The ERC is recovered in just over 1 month of savings.
Example 3: Maximizing 10% Allowance Annually
Scenario: Emma has a £200,000 mortgage at 6.0% with 22 years remaining. She plans to use her full 10% allowance (£20,000) each year.
- Mortgage Balance: £200,000
- Interest Rate: 6.0%
- Remaining Term: 22 years
- Early Repayment: £20,000 (exactly 10% - no ERC)
- ERC: 0%
Results:
- Early Repayment Charge: £0
- Interest Saved: £29,640 over 22 years
- Net Savings: £29,640
- New Monthly Payment: £1,158 (down from £1,289)
- Monthly Saving: £131
Recommendation: Excellent strategy! By maximizing your 10% allowance annually, you can significantly reduce your mortgage without any ERCs. Consider this as a regular savings strategy.
Key Takeaways from Examples
- The 10% annual allowance lets you overpay without ERCs - use it strategically
- Even with ERCs, early repayment often saves money if interest savings exceed the charge
- Larger early repayments save more interest, but check if ERCs apply
- Regular overpayments within the 10% allowance can save tens of thousands over your term
- Always maintain 3-6 months of emergency savings before making large early repayments
Calculate Your Early Repayment
Enter your mortgage details to see the costs and potential savings of making an early repayment.