What To Do If You Inherit a House With a Mortgage [Options and FAQs]

Inheriting a property with a mortgage is a bit more complex than inheriting one without. In this article we cover the main topics you need to consider if you find yourself in this position.

So firstly, who is responsible for paying the mortgage on a property you inherit?

When you inherit a property with a mortgage in the UK, you will be responsible for the mortgage payments, even if you do not live at the property.  You should contact the mortgage lender asap to inform them of the previous owner’s death, as they may have a grace period for mortgage repayments.

Now you know you will be inheriting the debt as well as the house, your next question is most likely “how on earth am I going to pay the mortgage off” (or something along those lines)!  The mortgage debt can be settled in any of the following ways:

1. Other cash and assets from the estate
2. A life insurance policy
3. New mortgage in your name
4. Buy-to-let mortgage covered by rental income
5. Selling the property and using the sales proceeds

Let’s explore each of these options in more detail below…

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Initial points to consider when you inherit a house with a mortgage

When you inherit a property with a mortgage, the mortgage repayments become your responsibility.  You inherit the property along with any mortgage debt.

The first thing you should do when you become aware that you are inheriting a property with a mortgage is to call up the mortgage lender.  You should explain that the previous property owner has passed away and that you will be inheriting the property.

A lot of mortgage lenders have what’s known as a “grace period”, meaning that you have a repayment holiday until probate is complete and the property has been transferred to you.

It is also worth checking the mortgage terms for that lender.  They may include some useful information on what to do when a mortgage borrower passes and what they expect from you in terms of payments.

If you need help selling an inherited property, check out my Ultimate Guide To Selling An Inherited Property.

Option 1: Mortgage balance covered by other cash and assets from the estate

You should refer to your loved one's will as it may set out how they wish for the outstanding mortgage to be repaid. It may specify that the mortgage be repaid using the cash and other assets left in the estate.

If this is the case, the executors will be responsible for settling the mortgage using the available cash and assets in the estate before the property is transferred to the new owner.

If not, the mortgage repayments will be the responsibility of the new owner.

Option 2: Check if the deceased had a life insurance policy

Your relative that passed away may have taken out a life policy or some form of mortgage death insurance before they died which could be used to cover the cost of the outstanding mortgage debt.

How do I trace a life insurance policy?

There are a couple of things you can do if you don’t know whether your relative passed away with a life insurance policy in place.

The first place to start would be to check the person’s bank statements for standing orders or payments made to an insurance company.  

If you do not have access to the person’s bank statements, you can contact the Unclaimed Assets Register (UAR) on 0333 000 0182.  UAR helps you locate any lost policies and put you in touch with the financial provider so you can claim the life insurance pay-out.  You will have to pay a £25 fee to use this service.

Option 3: You get a new mortgage in your name

If you plan on keeping a property you have inherited which has an outstanding mortgage, you will need to speak with the mortgage lender about getting a new mortgage in your name.

You may struggle to pass the affordability tests if you already have a mortgage on another property.  We would recommend that you speak with a mortgage broker to find the best lender and option for you.

Option 4: You can get a buy-to-let mortgage

You could speak with the mortgage lender about the possibility of taking out a buy-to-let mortgage on the property you’ve inherited.  

The income you receive from renting out the inherited property can help with the mortgage repayments.  Make sure you remember to declare any profits for tax purposes, as you will need to pay income tax on any profits over £1,000.

You may face more challenges trying to take out a buy-to-let mortgage, over the standard mortgage, as assessments tend to be a lot stricter for prospective landlords.  We would again recommend that you speak with a fee free mortgage broker to see if you would be eligible for a buy-to-let mortgage.  

Option 5: Sell the property

A good option that will avoid you having to find the additional cash each month to cover the mortgage payments would be to sell the inherited property and use the sale proceeds to cover the outstanding mortgage debt.

There are three ways to sell an inherited property:

1. Via a local estate agent – this option is likely to get you the best price for the property but can be very slow and unpredictable.  If you are looking to sell the house quickly to avoid making any monthly mortgage repayments, this might not be the best option for you.  
2. Via auction – this option offers a good balance between price and speed and is likely to get you around 90% of the market value.  A sale by auction can typically be wrapped up within 8 weeks.
3. Via cash house buying company – this is the fastest way to sell your house and is likely to get you around 80% of the market value, with completion in as little as 2 weeks.  

Are you thinking about selling your inherited property? We can help.

Take our free quiz to explore alternative selling methods that are faster & more certain than an estate agent sale. You’ll get instant, tailored recommendations based on your priorities, property & timeframes.

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What are my options if I can’t afford to pay the mortgage after death?

You also have the following options if you inherit a property with a mortgage debt and can’t afford to cover the mortgage:

1. Ask the mortgage lender for a payment holiday
2. Extend the term of the mortgage to decrease the monthly cost
3. Find a lender with a cheaper interest rate
4. Change from a repayment mortgage to an interest only mortgage

FAQs

1. Can I leave a mortgaged house in a will?

You can leave a property with outstanding mortgage debt in your will to a chosen beneficiary.  You should specify in your will if it is your intention for the mortgage to be repaid using cash and other assets from the estate before being transferred to the chosen beneficiary.

2. What happens if I cannot afford to pay the mortgage payments?

Pete Mugleston, Managing Director at Online Mortgage Advisor, an FCA-Regulated online broker, confirms that “if you fall behind on the mortgage repayments, the house could eventually have to be repossessed to cover the debt of the deceased homeowner”.

We would recommend that you speak with a solicitor and the mortgage provider to try and come to a solution.  Your best option might be to sell the property to release funds to pay off the mortgage.

3. If I inherit a house with a mortgage, do I have to pay it off?

Clarissa Landcastle from Howells Legal notes that “there is no legal obligation to continue making mortgage payments for a property”.  

Although you cannot be forced to repay the mortgage, if you stop making payment the inherited property could eventually be repossessed.  We would therefore recommend that you speak with a solicitor and mortgage advisor if you find yourself in this position.

4. Do you pay inheritance tax on mortgaged property?

A mortgage doesn’t count as part of the estate for inheritance tax purposes.  Inheritance tax is calculated on the net inheritance.  The executors will need to deduct the amount of the mortgage from the value of the property when calculating how much inheritance tax is due.

Want to explore alternative selling methods that are faster & more certain than an estate agent sale? Our free quiz can help guide you in the right direction: