How the debts get paid
Your mortgage offer will say whether debts must be repaid and which ones. There are two common set-ups:
| Offer says | What happens on completion |
|---|---|
| Named debts to be repaid on completion | We pay each creditor from the loan, using settlement figures dated for completion day, and send the lender proof |
| Debts to be repaid by you | The surplus goes to you, and the lender may ask for evidence later that you cleared them |
For each debt we pay, we need the creditor's name, your account number and a settlement figure valid for the completion date. Interest is often charged daily, so we ask for fresh figures shortly before completion. Once a debt is paid, ask the creditor for a letter confirming the account is settled and keep it.
Debts secured on your home must come off first
Some debts are registered on your title, and the new lender will not complete while they are there:
- Second charge loans. A secured loan from a second lender sits behind your mortgage on the title. We get its redemption figure, repay it on completion and have the charge removed at HM Land Registry.
- Charging orders. If a creditor has a county court judgment and a charging order against your home, it shows on the title. It has to be paid off and removed, and the lender will usually make that a condition.
- Restrictions. A restriction may stop a new mortgage being registered without a creditor's consent. We check the title at the start so there are no surprises in the final week.
How much you can borrow depends on value
The lender lends against its own valuation of your home, so falling prices shrink what you can consolidate. In the 12 months to June 2026, the median home in Milton Keynes sold for £340,000, down 5.6%, while Slough rose 3.9% to £400,000 (J Scott Conveyancing Statistics 2026). If you need a set amount to clear everything, check the likely valuation with your broker before applying.
What your solicitor does and does not advise on
We handle the legal side: the title, the lender's conditions, paying creditors and registering the new charge. We do not advise on whether consolidating is the right financial choice. Moving unsecured debts like credit cards into your mortgage secures them on your home and can mean paying more interest overall over a longer term. A mortgage broker regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority can compare options, and MoneyHelper offers free, government-backed debt advice.
Other people living in the home
Every owner must sign the new mortgage deed. Adults living there who are not borrowing usually sign an occupier's consent form. If someone else is being asked to take on part of the debt by being added to the mortgage, the lender may want them to have independent legal advice first.
Timing
Most of our remortgages complete in three to four weeks from instruction. Debt consolidation cases take longer when creditors are slow to send settlement figures or when a charging order needs the court or the creditor to cooperate. Send us the list of debts with account numbers when you instruct us. The core process is set out on our remortgage solicitors page, and our guide to releasing equity covers other uses of the extra borrowing.
