What is mortgage portability?
Mortgage portability is the ability to transfer your existing mortgage from one property to another, retaining your current loan terms such as the interest rate and lock-in period. In Singapore, not all banks offer this feature, and conditions apply including fresh valuations, TDSR checks, and property eligibility. It is most valuable during rising interest rate environments when preserving a lower locked-in rate is beneficial.
Last updated: 22 Apr 2026
Mortgage portability refers to the ability to transfer your existing mortgage from one property to another when you sell your current home and purchase a new one. This feature allows you to retain your current loan terms, including the interest rate and lock-in period, rather than taking out a new loan for the new property.
In Singapore, mortgage portability is not universally offered by all banks, and the terms vary among those that do. When available, it can be advantageous because it allows you to avoid early repayment penalties that would otherwise apply if you redeemed your loan during the lock-in period, retain a favourable interest rate if your current rate is lower than what is currently available in the market, and save on legal and administrative costs associated with taking out an entirely new loan.
However, there are conditions and limitations. The new property must meet the bank's lending criteria, a fresh valuation is required, your income and TDSR must still support the new loan amount, and the bank may charge an administrative or processing fee.
If the new property is more expensive and you need a larger loan, the additional amount may be offered at a different (potentially less favourable) rate. If the new property is cheaper, the excess loan amount is typically repaid without penalty under a portability arrangement.
Mortgage portability is most valuable during periods of rising interest rates when you want to preserve a lower locked-in rate. During periods of falling rates, it may be more beneficial to take out a new loan at the lower prevailing rate.
Not all property transitions qualify for portability. Transfers between different property types (for example, from HDB to private) may not be supported, and the timeframe for completing the sale and purchase must align with the bank's processing requirements.
If portability is important to you, confirm this feature with your bank before signing the loan agreement. Cashew's advisors can identify which banks offer portability and factor this into your loan comparison.