Mortgage question
How long does a mortgage offer last in the UK?
Most UK mortgage offers last 6 months from issue for existing homes and up to 9 months for new builds in 2026. Halifax, Lloyds, Nationwide, Santander and NatWest all follow this pattern, and most will grant a 1–3 month extension on request — provided your income, credit file and property details haven’t materially changed.
What’s the standard validity period in 2026?
Standard validity is 6 months on existing homes and 9 months on new builds across the major UK lenders in April 2026. Here’s the current picture:
| Lender | Existing-home offer | New-build offer |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax / Lloyds | 6 months | 9 months |
| Nationwide | 180 days | 270 days |
| Santander | 180 days | 180 days (extension on request) |
| NatWest / RBS | 6 months | 9 months |
| Barclays | 6 months | 6 months (extension commonly granted) |
| HSBC | 6 months | 6 months |
The clock starts from the date your formal offer letter is issued — not from application or valuation. Read the front page of your offer for the exact expiry date.
Can I get an extension if completion is delayed?
Yes, a 1–3 month extension is usually granted on request if completion slips because of something outside your control — a chain delay, a leasehold management pack, or a new-build completion date overrunning. Ask your broker or solicitor to submit the extension request at least 3–4 weeks before expiry. Most lenders require a short update on whether your financial circumstances have changed; if they have (new job, new debts, reduced income), the lender may want fresh evidence before extending.
Extensions are usually free but the rate is locked in at the original offer — you don’t benefit from any rate cut in the meantime.
What happens if the offer expires?
If the offer expires you need a full re-underwrite: new credit search, fresh documents, re-assessed affordability, and — crucially — whatever mortgage rate is available on the day you reapply. If rates have fallen you’re better off; if they’ve risen you pay more. The property valuation usually has to be redone too if it’s over 6 months old.
That’s why chasing the chain and your conveyancer in months 4–5 of the offer matters. See how long does conveyancing take for the benchmark timeline.
Can my offer be withdrawn before I complete?
An offer can be withdrawn mid-flight, though it’s rare. Common triggers: a new adverse entry on your credit file, a change in your employment, a property down-valuation on re-inspection, or fraud concerns on documentation. If the lender finds a material change they’ll ask you to justify it. Avoid big lifestyle changes between offer and completion — no new car finance, no job changes, no credit applications. See can my mortgage offer be withdrawn before completion for the detail.
Common misconception: “My offer is valid for 6 months, so I have loads of time”
You have less time than you think. Conveyancing alone averages 12–16 weeks on a freehold and 16–20 on a leasehold, so a 6-month (26-week) offer gives you only a 6–10 week buffer for chain delays, search backlogs and mortgage offer expiry risk. If your chain looks likely to run past month 5, request the extension early rather than hoping completion hits the deadline. Information, not regulated advice.
Sources
Information, not regulated advice. Mortgage Notes is not an FCA-authorised mortgage adviser. For a recommendation on your specific circumstances, speak to an FCA-authorised broker.