Porting and Parenting on Maternity Leave
The Power of Porting
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
A fee of up to £495 per mortgage may be charged depending on individual circumstances.
The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.
9th February 2026
For many young couples, the first home is a wonderful starting point, but the arrival of a first child often brings the realisation that more space is needed. I recently worked with Matthew and Emily, a lovely couple in their early 30s who found themselves in this exact position.
Their story is a perfect example of how you can successfully move house even during a period of maternity leave, provided you have a clear strategy and the right support.
Moving Up the Ladder
Matthew and Emily were in a common situation where they had a very competitive mortgage deal already in place. Their existing fixed rate was set to run until 2030, and leaving that lender early would have resulted in a significant financial penalty.
In these circumstances, we look at "porting" the mortgage. This process allows you to take your current mortgage rate and terms with you to a new property. It is an excellent way to move home without losing a favourable interest rate or paying hefty exit fees.
Navigating Maternity Leave
One of the most frequent questions I receive from young families is whether they can still move house while one parent is on maternity leave. Emily, who works in sales, was away from the office when they found their ideal post-war semi-detached home.
The good news is that many lenders are very supportive of parents on maternity leave. By providing payslips from before her leave started alongside a formal confirmation of her return date, hours, and future salary, we were able to satisfy the lender's requirements. We used her full income for the affordability assessment, ensuring they could secure the larger home they needed for their growing family.
Strategy and Stability
Because they were moving to a larger property, Matthew and Emily needed to borrow a little extra on top of their ported mortgage. Their priority was budget certainty. With a new baby at home, the last thing they wanted was to be exposed to fluctuations in interest rates.
We recommended a five-year fixed rate for the additional borrowing.
It gave them a fixed monthly outgoing for the next few years, allowing them to plan their family finances with confidence.
By choosing a five-year term, the new portion of the mortgage will almost line up with their existing deal which ends in 2030. This means that in a few years, they can look at their entire mortgage as one and review all their options at the same time.
A Successful Move
The entire process was remarkably smooth. By working closely with their existing lender, we were able to get the application approved and the move completed before Emily was due to return to work. They are now settled in their new home with plenty of space for their little one to grow.
Is it time for your next move?
If you have outgrown your current home and feel that a move is necessary, please do not let maternity leave or an existing fixed rate hold you back. Whether you need to port a mortgage to avoid penalties or you are worried about how your income will be assessed, I am here to help.
If you would like to explore your options for a stress-free move to a larger family home, please get in touch and I will be happy to assist you.