Consolidating your debts onto your mortgage involves combining multiple high-interest debts (such as credit card debt, personal loans, or other unsecured debts) into your existing mortgage. This process is also known as “debt consolidation” or “debt refinancing.” It can be beneficial because mortgage interest rates are often lower than those of other types of debt, which can help reduce your overall interest costs and make your debt more manageable.

Here are the general steps to consolidate your debts onto your mortgage:

1. Contact a qualified mortgage advisor. They will be able to search the market for a lender who will allow you to refinance your mortgage, incorporating your other debts into the new loan. They will source the best deal available for your circumstances.
2. Assess your financial situation: Before proceeding with debt consolidation, take a close look at your financial situation. Make sure you can afford the increased mortgage payments and understand the potential risks involved. Your mortgage advisor will support you with this exercise and help you to create a budget planner.
3. Gather information about your debts: Prepare all the necessary information about the debts you want to consolidate. This includes outstanding balances, interest rates, and minimum monthly payments.
4. Determine the total amount to consolidate: Add up the total amount of debt you want to consolidate, including any applicable fees or penalties for early repayment of the existing loans.
5. Evaluate your options: Compare the interest rates, terms, and conditions offered by different lenders. Look for any fees associated with the consolidation process, such as closing costs or origination fees.
6. This is the stage when your mortgage advisor will search the market for the best deal for you. They will provide an illustration and go through it with you and you can make a decision if this is the best way forward. Together, you can look at your outgoings pre and post debt consolidation to ascertain how your finances will be impacted.
7. Once approved, the lender will conduct a valuation of your property, and if favourable, once underwritten by them, you will receive a mortgage offer.
8. This is when a conveyancer will do the legal work required for the extra borrowing and mew lender, if applicable.
9. Once the mortgage completes, it is imperative that you pay off your other debts: Ensure that the payments are made directly to the creditors to avoid any confusion.
10. Make regular mortgage payments: After consolidating your debts, you’ll have a larger mortgage balance. Make sure you can comfortably manage the increased monthly payments and make timely payments to avoid any issues with your mortgage.

It’s essential to be cautious when consolidating debts onto your mortgage. While it can be an effective strategy for many individuals, it may not be suitable for everyone. You could be putting your home at risk if you are unable to make the mortgage payments. This is why it is imperative to seek the advice of a mortgage specialist to determine if debt consolidation is the right choice for your specific situation.