Mortgages FAQs

A mortgage is a type of loan, that you get from a bank or lender to help you buy a property (e.g. house, apartment or land). It is an agreement between a borrower (the person buying the property) and a lender (usually a bank or financial institution). A mortgage allows the borrower to buy a property and pay it back over time, usually every month. If this is your first time looking for a mortgage, see our first time buyer home guide and tips on how to save for a mortgage for more information.

A mortgage with Avant Money works in the following way:

• The property you purchase is used as security for the mortgage loan.

• You may select a fixed or variable rate of interest.

• With a fixed rate, the interest rate stays the same for an agreed period and if you wish to move out of it early, you may have to pay a charge, called a breakage fee.

• With a variable rate mortgage, your interest rate could change and go up or down and there are no exit fees if you decide to move to a different product.

• You will pay each month by direct debit, set up from an account of your choice.

• Each year we will send you a statement so you can see an up-to-date position of your mortgage account over the last 12 months.

• You need to pay your monthly repayments to avoid going into arrears.

• Avant Money maintain the rights to your property, until the mortgage is paid off in full.

To apply for a mortgage with Avant Money there are a few steps to follow.

1. Get mortgage ready: Start by saving money for your deposit, which is a part of the overall payment for your home, that you pay (usually 10-20%). Use our Mortgage Calculator to find out how much you could borrow.

2. Get mortgage approval: You can apply in two easy ways:

1. Talk to a mortgage expert and they will help you step by step.

2. Apply online - Use our Mortgage Hub to upload your documents (like your ID, a bill, and proof of your job and income).

Once we have everything, we’ll check your application and usually reply in 2 working days. If it looks good, we’ll send you a letter showing how much you might be able to borrow.

3. Next steps:

The next step is to arrange for our partner, VMS Ireland, to value the property. Then you get a solicitor to deal with all the legal documents. You might also need to send Avant Money additional documents they ask for.

4. Solicitor, insurance and direct debit:

Your solicitor will manage the legal process where the ownership of the house is transferred from one person/group to another. Then you’ll need to get home insurance, life insurance and set up your direct debits to pay for your mortgage.

5. Once everything is in order, we’ll pay the approved mortgage funds to your solicitor, and they’ll send them on to the seller.

6. What happens next?

Your mortgage payment will be collected every month from the account on your direct debit. You will get a statement each year which lists out the payments you have made and the balance outstanding on your account. See our blog on mortgage requirements for more information on the steps to getting a mortgage with Avant Money.

• Saving the deposit: Start your mortgage journey by saving for your deposit, a crucial first step.
   
• Determine your budget: Understand what price range you can afford as a first-time buyer, switcher, or home mover.
   
• Find a home: With your deposit saved and budget established, begin searching for the perfect home.

When you take out a mortgage, there are some costs you pay at the start and some that you pay later as you go. Here are some of the costs you will pay when getting a mortgage :

• Valuation fees:As part of your mortgage application, you will need to arrange for a professional valuer to assess the fair market value of the property. Valuation fees can vary, but they are usually around €150 to €250 plus VAT.
   
• Surveyor’s fees:Depending on the property you want to mortgage; a lender may ask for a surveyor to inspect the property and identify any issues that could affect its value or condition. A surveyor’s report can help you avoid expensive repairs in the future. Surveyor’s fees can vary, but they are usually around €300 plus VAT.
   
• Legal fees: These are the fees that you pay to your solicitor for handling the legal process involved in transferring ownership of the property to you. Legal fees can vary, but they are usually around 1% or 2% of the property value, or a flat fee. You should also expect to pay VAT and other costs associated with the legal process, such as Land Registry fees and legal searches.
   
• Stamp duty: This is a tax that you have to pay when buying a home. The stamp duty rate is currently 1% of the property value up to €1 million, and 2% on the balance above €1 million. For example, if you buy a home worth €300,000, you will have to pay stamp duty of €3,000. You won’t pay stamp duty when switching your mortgage to a new lender.
   
• Broker fees: Some brokers may charge you a fee for their services. It is a good idea to ask your broker at the start if they charge a fee.
   
• Interest rate: This is the cost of borrowing money from the lender. The interest rate determines how much interest you pay on your mortgage each month. Avant Money offers competitive fixed and variable interest rates, depending on the loan to value ratio, the term, and the type of mortgage you choose.

Your bank statements are one of the documents that lenders look at when assessing your mortgage application. They want to see how you manage your money and if you can afford to repay the loan. Here are some of the things that lenders look for in your bank statements:

Income: Lenders want to see that you have a regular and stable income that can cover your mortgage payments and other expenses. They will check your salary and any other sources of income (such as rental income, dividends, pensions, etc.), and how consistent they are. They may also ask for your payslips, P60, or tax returns to confirm your income.

Expenses: Lenders want to see that you have a realistic budget and that you live within your means. They will check your regular expenses, such as rent, loans, credit cards, insurance, etc., and compare these to your income. They will also check that you keep up repayments on any existing loans or credit cards, and look for any signs of financial difficulty (such as missed or late payments). They will also ask you to explain any large or unusual transactions on your statements.

Savings: Lenders want to see that you have a savings habit and that you have built up a deposit for your mortgage. They will check your savings accounts, investments, or any other assets that you have. They will also look for regular savings patterns, such as standing orders or direct debits to your savings accounts to show that you have a track record to repay the mortgage. They may ask you to provide evidence of the source of your savings, such as inheritance, gift, or sale of property.

To apply for a mortgage, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Personal details Including ID documentation, confirmation of your address, and PPSN.
   
• Proof of your income Such as your payslips, P60, or accounts if you are self-employed.
   
• Your bank statements Showing your current account, savings, investments, and borrowings.
   
• Deposit You will need to provide evidence of your funds for the deposit. Such as savings, gift, inheritance, government scheme or equity from the sale of a property.

Yes, Avant Money provide mortgages to self-employed customers. You will need to provide some documents to prove your income and financial stability. Here are some of the things you need to know if you are self-employed and want to get a mortgage with Avant Money:

Income assessment: Avant Money will assess your income based on the latest 2 years financial returns. They will look at your income over the last two years. If your income has increased or decreased significantly in the last year, details should be provided to explain the variance.

Documents required: You will need to provide the following documents to support your income assessment:

• Your most recent two years Notice of Assessment (plus Chapter 4) from the Revenue Commissioners.
• Your Revenue acknowledged Form 11, which is your annual tax return that you submit to the Revenue Commissioners. You will need to provide the Form 11 for the last two years.
• Your most recent two years audited/certified financial accounts, which are prepared by a qualified accountant and show your business income and expenses.
• Your business and personal bank statements. You will need to provide these for the last six months.
• Confirmation that your tax affairs are in order by providing an accountants’ letter or revenue confirmation (ROS payment and charges or Notice of Assessment).

Yes, if you meet the scheme’s criteria, you can use the Help to Buy (HTB) Scheme to support your mortgage deposit. The HTB Scheme is a government incentive designed to help first-time buyers purchase newly built or self-built homes in Ireland. It refunds some of the income tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) you paid in Ireland during the four years before the year you apply.

You can find more information about the scheme on Revenue.ie.

Avant Money is a qualifying lender for the HTB Scheme. This means you can apply for a mortgage with us and use the scheme to help with your deposit.

The easiest way to get an idea of how much you could borrow is to use our Mortgage Calculator calculator. We will take account of your income, expenses and personal circumstances to assess how much you can borrow.

According to Central Bank of Ireland rules, a lender cannot usually lend more than 4 times your gross annual income. Your income includes your salary and other guaranteed income including any allowances that you receive regularly.

For first-time-buyers and second/subsequent buyers, the maximum loan you can borrow is 90% of the total value of the home you wish to buy. This means you must be able to show that you have saved the remaining 10%. If you are switching your mortgage you can borrow up to 90%.

Loan-to-value, or LTV, compares the size of your mortgage to the value of your property. It is shown as a percentage and indicates how much of the property is funded by a mortgage and how much you own yourself (this is called your equity).

For example, if you have a mortgage of €150,000 on a house worth €200,000, your loan-to-value is 75%. This means you have €50,000 in equity.

A mortgage interest rate is the cost of borrowing money, usually expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed. It determines the cost of the loan. The Annual Percentage Rate of Charge (APRC) takes into account the total cost of the mortgage over its full term. This includes the interest rate and certain fees, such as set-up charges. The APRC helps you compare different mortgage offers more easily. In general, the lower the APRC, the lower the overall cost of the mortgage.

Most lenders offer variable rate and fixed term rate mortgages. Avant Money also have our unique One Mortgage, which offers a fixed rate for your full mortgage term. What is best for you depends on your personal circumstances.

If you choose a Flex Mortgage The Flex Mortgage is a variable rate mortgage, and the interest rate is made up of a benchmark rate plus a margin. Each year the benchmark rate will be adjusted to reflect the 12-month Euribor market rates, which means your interest rate could rise or fall. You can make additional repayments to your Flex Mortgage whenever you choose and you can switch to another product at any time with no penalty. However, If you move off your Flex Mortgage it may not be available to you again.

If you choose a Fixed-Rate Mortgage Your interest rate is set for an agreed period, usually between three and ten years. A fixed-rate means that your monthly repayments will remain the same throughout your chosen period, helping you have certainty of your monthly expenses. At the end of a fixed-rate mortgage, you may choose to take another fixed rate, move to our Flex Mortgage, or your mortgage will move to the prevailing variable interest rate offered at the time. With a Fixed rate mortgage if you pay off your loan early in full or part you may be subject to a breakage cost.

If you choose a Variable Rate Mortgage Your interest rate may rise or fall over the term of the mortgage, which means your monthly repayments may change. You can make additional repayments to your variable-rate mortgage whenever you choose and you can switch to a fixed-rate mortgage whenever you wish.

If you choose the Avant Money One Mortgage Your interest rate is set for the full mortgage term, of up to 30 years. This means that your repayment will remain constant for the life of your mortgage, which will help provide you certainty and help you budget for the future.

The best way to find the best rate for you is to work out how much you can afford then see what rate options are available to you. You can find out what rate options Avant Money has on our products and rates page

The Flex Mortgage is a variable rate mortgage, and the interest rate is made up of a benchmark rate plus a margin. The benchmark rate is linked to the 12-month Euribor. Each year the benchmark rate will be adjusted to reflect the 12-month Euribor market rates, which means your interest rate could rise or fall. You can make additional repayments to your Flex Mortgage whenever you choose and you can switch to another product at any time with no penalty. However, if you move off your Flex Mortgage it may not be available to you again.

With the One Mortgage, your interest rate stays the same for the full term of your mortgage. So, whether you take your mortgage over a term of 5 years or 30 years, if you choose the One Mortgage from Avant Money, you pay the same amount in the first month as you do in the last month.

Your repayment amount will depend on how much you borrow, the rate you choose and what term you choose. To find out what your repayment might be, why not check out our Repayment Calculator.

If you are buying a new home You should apply for a mortgage when you are getting ready to start bidding on a property. Once we receive your application, it normally takes 2 days for us to review your details and provide a decision. During busy times it may take 5-10 days, but we always aim to have a decision as soon as we can. If approved, we will send you an Approval in Principle letter, which will set out your next steps. Some auctioneers / estate agents may ask for Approval in Principle before accepting a bid.

If you are switching your mortgage to Avant Money You can apply when you have held your existing mortgage for at least 12 months.

You can apply for a mortgage directly with Avant Money or through one of our selected mortgage brokers. We offer the same products and rates whether you apply directly or through a broker.

Applying directThis may suit you if you have decided you want an Avant Money Mortgage and you would like to apply online. You will have access to a dedicated and experienced member of our mortgage team to help guide you through your mortgage journey. To start your application simply register on the Mortgage Hub and we will guide you through the process.

Applying via a brokerThis may suit you if you would like advice on products from a range of lenders. Some brokers may charge a fee for managing your application, while others do not. It is a good idea to check if the broker charges a fee before proceeding. Avant Money works with a selected panel of mortgage brokers.

Once we receive your completed application, we aim to get back to you as soon as possible. We will acknowledge your application within 3 business days and will let you know of our decision within 10 business days.

Once you have Approval in Principle the next step is to arrange a valuation on the property.

The Approval in Principle letter is valid for 12 months. Don’t worry if you haven’t found a property within that time, just let us know and we can arrange an extension.

The Avant Money Mortgage Hub is an online application tool which allows you to apply for your new mortgage.

We provide you with a comprehensive range of mortgage resources and tools. You can add your details and easily upload your documents to our system for quick and secure review. When you've provided us with all the details we need, you can apply for an Approval in Principle (AIP). An AIP will give you an indication of how much you could borrow.
 

To apply for a mortgage, you may need to provide the following documents

• Your personal details, such as your ID, address, and PPSN.

• Proof of your income, such as your payslips, P60, or accounts if you are self-employed.

• Your bank statements, showing your current account, savings, investments, and borrowings.

• If you are a First-time buyer, you will need to provide evidence of your funds for the deposit. Such as savings, gift, inheritance, or government scheme.

Your Employment Detail Summary (EDS) is available from the Revenue Online Services on ROS.ie. You will need to log into your ros.ie account or register if you haven’t used it before. 

The Form 11 is the document you or your accountant uses to make your annual tax return to Revenue.

We will ask for a form 11 if you:

• Are self-employed.

• Have rental income

The Revenue Acknowledged Form 11 will state at the top of the document ‘Acknowledgement of Income Tax Return and Self-Assessment.

Once you have sent this to Revenue they will acknowledge your tax return. We will ask for the Form 11 as it is Revenue’s official record of the income you have declared to them and it also shows how much tax you have paid. 

Yes, you can use a gift as a deposit. You and the person providing you with the gift, will need to complete a Gift letter to verify that the funds are a gift and not a loan .

There are several important factors that affect how much a lender will allow you to borrow:

The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio This is the percentage of the property value that you need to borrow. The LTV limit depends on the type of buyer and property. It can range from around 70% for switchers to 90%, in line with the Central Bank of Ireland’s mortgage lending rules.

The loan-to-income (LTI) ratio This is the multiple of your gross income that the loan amount cannot exceed. The LTI limit is generally 4 times the income for first-time buyers and 3.5 times for other borrowers.

Your credit historyThis shows your past record of repaying debts and managing your finances. A good credit history is essential for getting mortgage approval.

The ability to repay the loan Lenders assess this based on your income, expenses, savings, and other financial commitments. They will also consider your employment status and whether your income is stable.

Once you have approval in principle and found a property, the next step is to get a Loan Offer.

To move from Approval in Principle to Loan Offer, you will need to arrange a valuation and let us know who your solicitor is. You can do both in the Mortgage Hub. We will review the valuation and, providing there are no concerns in respect of your chosen property, we will issue you with a Loan Offer. You may also need to provide any further documents as outlined in your Approval in Principle letter.

A loan offer is a formal legal document that we issue to a borrower and their solicitor after they have completed the mortgage application process. It contains the details of the loan, such as the amount, interest rate, term, fees, and conditions. A loan offer is not a binding contract, but an invitation to enter one.

You can either accept the Loan Offer by signing and returning it to us or reject it by not responding or by applying for a different loan. A loan offer is also sometimes described to as a letter of offer, a loan approval, or a mortgage offer.

Avant Money Mortgage Loan Offers are valid for six months.

The Loan Offer is valid for 6 months which means you should complete drawdown of the mortgage in that time. Don’t worry if you are not able to complete the move/switch within that time, just let us know and we can arrange an extension.

If you are applying directly with Avant Money, you will need to arrange a valuation with VMS Ireland through the Mortgage Hub or directly at www.vmsireland.ie.

If you are applying through one of our mortgage brokers, they will confirm how to arrange the valuation in your Approval in Principle letter.

We recommend that you only book a valuation when you are ready to apply for a Loan Offer.

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property or land from one person to another. It involves preparing and reviewing legal documents such as contracts, deeds and title documents. It also makes sure that the buyer is getting what they paid for and is aware of any potential issues with the property. Conveyancing can be handled by a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer.

Conveyancing is important for both the lender and the borrower. It confirms the legal ownership and status of the property being used as security for the mortgage. It also checks for any restrictions, charges or planning issues that could affect the property’s value or use. Conveyancing can protect the interests and rights of both the lender and the borrower in a property sale.

Solicitors are an essential part of the mortgage process, offering advice on the legal requirements of buying a home. We recommend shopping around, as the fees can vary between solicitors. You'll be quoted professional fees and outlays. Professional fees are the amount you are paying the solicitor for their time, while outlays are the costs the solicitor will pay (such as the cost of registering a set of deeds) which they then pass on to you.

Closing a mortgage is the final step in the process of buying or switching a property with a loan from a lender. It involves signing the legal documents, paying the fees and charges, and transferring the ownership and the funds.

This is the stage where you are rewarded for all your hard work. Drawdown is when we transfer the money to your solicitor, so you can buy your new home or, if you are switching to Avant Money, your solicitor will pay off the remaining balance on your current mortgage.

Once you are getting ready to close, you will need to set up a direct debit. We'll provide you with a direct debit mandate to complete and return to us.

There are additional costs that you have to pay when you buy a home, apart from the property price and the deposit. These can vary depending on the type and value of the property, the lender, the solicitor, and the surveyor. However, some of the common costs you should budget for are:

•Stamp duty: This is a tax that you must pay when buying a home. The stamp duty rate is currently 1% of the property value up to €1 million, and 2% on the balance above €1 million. For example, if you buy a home worth €300,000, you will have to pay stamp duty of €3,000.

•Legal fees: These are the fees that you must pay to your solicitor for taking care of the legal aspects of transferring the ownership of the property to you. Legal costs can vary, but they are usually around 1% or 2% of the property value, or a flat charge. You should also expect to pay VAT and other costs associated with the legal process, such as Land Registry fees and legal searches.

•Surveyor’s fees: Depending on the property you want to mortgage; a lender may ask for a surveyor to inspect the property and identify any issues that could affect its value or condition. A surveyor’s report can help you avoid expensive repairs in the future. Surveyor’s fees can vary, but they are usually around €300 plus VAT.

•Valuation fees: These are the fees that you must pay to a valuer for assessing the fair market value of the property. Your lender will require a valuation report before approving your mortgage loan. Valuation fees can vary, but they are usually around €150 to €250 plus VAT.

Mortgage protection insurance:This is a type of life insurance that pays off your mortgage if you or a co-applicant die before the mortgage has been fully repaid. You must take out mortgage protection insurance when you get a mortgage and keep this in place for the term of your mortgage. You can shop around for a mortgage protection policy that suits your needs and compare the best rates from different providers.

Home insurance:You will also need a home (buildings) insurance policy, which will cover the costs incurred to repair or replace your home in the event of serious damage to it. Insurance providers will normally also offer you the option of a home contents policy as part of a home insurance product. This policy covers all the belongings within your home that are covered by your policy. It’s not mandatory to have contents insurance for your mortgage, but it’s worth considering. It is always worthwhile to ensure your home insurance is up to date. As the cost of building materials and labour increases, you should check that your rebuilding costs are up to date. This is the amount of money you would need if you need to rebuild your home.

Before you close your mortgage, you will need to sign several documents such as:

• If you are buying a home, you’ll need to sign the deed of conveyance, which will transfer the legal title of the property to you. This deed will include the names of the parties, the description of the property, and the sale price.

• The mortgage deed, which creates a charge or lien on the property for the lender. This deed will include the names of the parties, the amount and term of the loan, the interest rate, the repayment schedule, and the rights and obligations of both parties.

• The Loan Offer letter, which will confirm the terms and conditions of the loan that the lender has offered you. This letter will include the details of the loan amount, the interest rate, the fees and charges, the insurance requirements, and the special conditions, if any.

• The direct debit mandate, which will allow the lender to take the monthly repayments from your bank account. This mandate will include the details of your bank account, the amount and timing of the repayments, and the date of the first repayment.

• The mortgage protection policy, which is a type of life insurance that will pay off your mortgage in full if you, or a co-applicant die before the mortgage has been fully paid. You must take out mortgage protection insurance when you get a mortgage. This policy will include the details of the policy, such as the cover amount, the premium, the term, and the beneficiaries.

• The home insurance policy, which is a type of insurance that covers your home and its contents against damage or loss caused by fire, theft, storm, flood, or other risks. You must have home insurance in place when you get a mortgage, as the lender will require it as a condition of the loan. This policy will include the details of the policy, such as the cover amount, the premium, the excess, and the exclusions.

We’ll send the loan funds to your solicitor.

If you are switching your mortgage and have a current mortgage to clear with another lender, your solicitor will request a redemption figure and clear the current mortgage for you.

If you are buying a new home, we’ll send the funds to your solicitor who will send those to the seller’s solicitor. At the same time, possession of the property passes from the seller to you, the buyer.

Your first mortgage repayment will be due one month after moving in. This will be automatically taken by direct debit.

Before the end of your fixed rate term, we'll write to you 60 days prior with a letter setting out all the mortgage rate choices available to you. If you don’t choose one of our fixed rates, your mortgage repayments will be calculated using the prevailing variable rate. However, you can opt for any of our fixed rate options at any time in the future.

You can check how much you owe by reviewing your annual statement. We will issue your mortgage statement annually, in February. This will show the balance as at the date the statement is issued, your interest rate and the amount of capital and interest you paid for the previous year. Or you can call our Customer Service team on 0818 274089 who are available from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday (not including bank holidays).

Fixed rate customersCustomers on a fixed interest rate can make a capital reduction of up to 10% off your current balance each calendar year without being charged an early redemption fee. Any reduction above 10% may result in an early redemption fee. You can make a maximum of two overpayments per calendar year up to a maximum of 10% of your current balance. If you repay your mortgage in full early, or make an overpayment over the 10% allowance, you may have to pay an early redemption fee. The fee will be 2% of your mortgage balance. This will reduce to a maximum of 1.5% from year 11 on our One Mortgage product.

Variable rate customersIf your mortgage is on a variable rate, you can make overpayments at any time, without paying an early redemption fee.

If you make an overpayment, you can choose to reduce the term of your mortgage or reduce your future monthly repayments.

To arrange an overpayment, contact our Customer Service team on 0818 274 089. They are available from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday (not including bank holidays). They will provide you with our bank account details so you can make an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your mortgage number as a reference.

If you need to change the bank account from which you pay your mortgage, you will need to set up a new direct debit. Please download a mandate and post it to Avant Money, PO Box 13192, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

To change your due date, you can call our team on 0818 274 089 and they will be happy to help you with this request. They are available from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday (not including bank holidays).

If you make an over payment you can choose to reduce your term or your monthly repayments. Once you reduce the term of your mortgage, it cannot be extended in the future.

An early redemption fee may be payment if you do any of the below while on a fixed interest rate:

• Repay your mortgage in full.

• Partially repay your mortgage, by more than the annual 10% overpayment allowance.

• Switch to a new mortgage product.

Avant Money will refund or waive the early redemption fee if you move home and take a new mortgage loan with us within 12 months. To benefit from this feature, the new loan must be for an amount and term that are at least equivalent to the loan that was redeemed.

Changing your home to a rental property is a decision that involves many factors, such as your personal and financial goals, tax implications, legal requirements, and the market conditions. Here are some of the things you need to consider before you make the change:

If you have a mortgage on your home, you need to inform your lender that you plan to change the use of the property from owner-occupied to investment. Depending on your mortgage terms and conditions, your lender may charge you a higher interest rate, a fee, or require you to switch to a different mortgage product.

Avant Money mortgages are designed for owner-occupiers only, and we do not offer buy-to-let mortgages. Therefore, if you want to change your home to a rental property, you will need to repay your Avant Money Mortgage in full or switch to another lender who offers buy-to-let mortgages.

We will issue your mortgage statement annually, in February. This will show your  balance as at the date the statement is issued, the interest rate and the amount of capital and interest you paid for the previous year.

The amount you can borrow is up to 70% of the Loan to Value (LTV). This is calculated using the estimated value of the property when the work is completed and the sum of your existing mortgage and the Mortgage Top Up. Using a Mortgage Top-Up will impact your overall LTV which will affect the choice of rates available to you at the end of your current fixed term or if you move your mortgage.

You can borrow a minimum loan amount of €75,000 through a Mortgage Top-Up. If you need to borrow less than that, we suggest you consider a personal loan. Find out more about personal loan options from Avant Money.

You can use the funds for home improvements.

You can apply directly to Avant Money by emailing your name and phone number to [email protected] and we will arrange a call back or you can apply through your mortgage broker.

You can choose to repay your Mortgage Top-Up over a term of between 5 and 35 years. However, the term cannot be longer than the remaining term on your existing mortgage. For example, if you have 20 years left on your current mortgage, the maximum term for your Mortgage Top-Up would also be 20 years.

You can use the same account details for your new Mortgage Top-Up. However, you will need to complete a new direct debit mandate, and the repayment will be collected separately.

Yes, you can make up to 10% overpayment based on the balance of your mortgage at the start of each year. Where you have taken out a further loan at a fixed rate by way of a Mortgage Top-Up, the overpayment allowance(s) apply separately to each of your loans. When making an overpayment, you need to tell us which loan(s) you wish to overpay and by how much.

You will not have to pay an early redemption fee if you only make up to two payment(s) in any calendar year over and above the agreed monthly repayments; and the total of these overpayment(s) does not exceed a maximum of 10% of the loan balance as at the 1st of January of the calendar year in which the early repayment(s) are made, or the date of drawdown if the early repayment(s) are made in the first calendar year of the loan or, the date of the latest drawdown, if your loan is to be drawn down in stage payments.

Solicitors fees

There will be legal costs which are payable by you and covers the cost of conveyancing and legal advice from your chosen solicitor. Costs can vary so it is best to shop around.

Valuation report

The current cost is €185 including VAT in most cases. This is payable by you and covers the cost of an updated valuation report showing the current market value of your home.

Insurance

As the amount you owe will rise if you take out a mortgage Top-Up, you may have to increase your mortgage protection policy to cover the increased amount. You should also review your policy as the amount required to rebuild your home in the event of a fire or damage may have increased as a result of any work being done to the property.

If you have missed a mortgage repayment or fear that you might not be able to make repayments in the future, we are here to help. We understand that our customers may face difficult times so if you need help, your first step is to call us on 0818 274 089, where we have a dedicated team available to help you from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday (not including bank holidays).

If you have missed a payment, and you are able to repay the missed payment, it’s best to do so as soon as you can to avoid any impact to your credit report. To find more information on help available from Avant Money, and independent debt advice, please visit www.avantmoney.ie/mortgages/MARP for independent debt advice, you may find the services below of help.

Insolvency Service of Ireland
The Insolvency Service of Ireland is an independent government body with a range of solutions to problem debt. It has a network of qualified professionals that can help you get back on track. Visit www.backontrack.ie, call 076 106 4200 or text GETHELP to 50015.

Abhaile

Abhaile is a State-funded service to help homeowners find a resolution to home mortgage arrears. It gives out vouchers for free financial and legal advice and help from experts to those who qualify, which are available through Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). A dedicated adviser will work with you and your lender to find the best solution for your situation. Visit www.mabs.ie or call 076 107 2000.  

There are actions you can take if you experience financial difficulties. Visit www.avantmoney.ie/mortgages/MARP for more details on these actions.