Think you have to wait until your current mortgage deal is finished before you look to move home? Not the case! It’s possible to pack up your mortgage and take it with you. This is what is known in the property finance industry as, ‘porting your mortgage.’
That way, you get to keep your current mortgage when buying a house, rather than waiting to pay it off or, for your current package, whatever your mortgage rate, to end.
Image credit: Foxtons
Taking your mortgage with you, from one property to the next, is known as ‘porting’. It can save you money if you’re paying a low rate of interest. Or, if you are tied into a deal, porting your mortgage can leapfrog you out of a hefty early repayment charge, (ERC), if you decide to leave.
A Portable Mortgage seems like an easy, convenient option. However, it may not be such a good idea if you’re currently paying a high rate, or have a small mortgage and are looking to borrow more.
There are some practical hoops to jump through.
‘Don’t assume that your port is a done deal,’ says Rosie Fish, a mortgage expert at online mortgage broker Habito.
‘There’s still a process to go through. You need a new offer letter, your lender will give you another credit check and look at your income. They’ll also get a house valuation of the property you want to buy. If your credit rating has changed since your original offer, (for example, if you’ve missed a couple of mortgage payments), it might reduce the chance of getting your port signed off.’
Lenders base your borrowing potential on affordability criteria. This includes your income, but also your non-mortgage outgoings. If your household income is now less than when you secured your existing loan, porting your mortgage may not be an option. The same is true if you have higher monthly outgoings; you may not qualify for the same deal.
Image credit: Katie Jane Watson
Doing your sums is key, including any costs incurred with porting. Look at the cost of setting up a new mortgage, with your current lender or a new provider, compared to porting your existing deal.
The good news is lenders do not usually charge a porting fee. However, if you’re making any changes to your mortgage, there can be other costs. Charges vary between lenders.
‘If you’re borrowing additional funds and need a top up to your mortgage, there could be fees on the new deal, such as a £995 arrangement fee,’ says Karina Hutchins, head of Home by OpenMoney, a money advice service.
Although the mortgage is the same, the house you are buying is not. Therefore, a new house valuation will need to be conducted on the new property. ‘Most lenders offer a free valuation on properties under £1 million. Those that don’t, charge around £300,’ continues Karina.
‘If a lender won’t let you port, it’s usually because you don’t fit with their lending criteria. This means they won’t offer you a new deal. You will then have to pay its early redemption penalty, as you will need to change lender and repay this mortgage early, triggering the penalty.’
By comparison, starting over with a new lender can mean incurring mortgage arrangement fees (also known as product fees), and valuation costs. According to MoneyHelper, the Government money advice website, you can pay anything from nothing to £2,000 with mortgage arrangement fees. Also expect to pay from £250 up to £1,500 for the valuation.
If you want to leave a mortgage deal ‘early’, say you’re moving home part way through a fix, and want to start over with a new lender and mortgage deal, you’ll usually pay penalty fees in the form of an Early Redemption Charge, (ERC). An ERC is typically a percentage of the outstanding balance owed. It can run into thousands of pounds, so porting is a way for homeowners to avoid these charges.
With ERCs, ‘the rule of thumb is that it’s 1% of your mortgage balance for however long your deal is. So, with a five year fix, you’d pay 5% in the first year, 4% in year four, 3% in year three and so on,’ says Karina Hutchins. Based on a £150,000 mortgage, leaving during year three, means you’re looking at a fee of £4,500, which isn’t small change; hence Porting can save you money.
If you’ve got a smaller loan and nearing the end of a deal when you move, any early repayment fees can be relatively minimal. For example, £500 if you’ve got one year left and £50,000 outstanding.
Even if there’s no ERC to pay, if you leave your current lender, it’s worth knowing most charge an ‘exit fee’ to officially close down your mortgage account. This can range from around £50 – £300, which should also be factored into your sums when working out if Porting can save you money and is the right decision for you.
Image credit: Future Plc/Tom Meadows
If you’re moving up the property ladder and want to borrow more, it’s up to your lender whether it will offer you the same deal on a bigger loan.
Most fixed or tracker deals come with a maximum ‘loan to value’ (LTV). LTV is the maximum percentage of the purchase price they’ll lend. This means if you port, your lender may offer a top up mortgage to cover the additional borrowing. This can be separate from your existing deal.
In this case, even if your lender agrees to porting, you may be charged a different, (and probably higher), interest rate, or even the lender’s standard variable rate, on the extra chunk of cash borrowed.
This can be a chance to repay a chunk of cash to your lender and reduce your mortgage loan. Depending on the terms of your mortgage contract, doing this can incur early repayment charges.
Most lenders typically allow you to overpay by 10% of the outstanding balance each year, penalty free. But if you go beyond this limit, you can be clobbered with fees.
Once again, it is vital to factor this into your sums when working out if porting is your best option.
Image credit: Future Plc
Contact your lender before going house hunting to check their rules on porting, along with any costs.
Check your credit report, in case anything shows up that’s wrong and can be rectified, before you risk being turned down for porting or even a new loan. Then shop around to see what other mortgage deals are available.
It’s worth using the services of a specialist mortgage broker to check out your options. Trussle, Habito, or London & Country, all offer fee free advice.
Always check whether an adviser is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check their credentials on the Financial Services Register on the FCA website.
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Choosing the right layout is key to making your kitchen space work and to make it somewhere you enjoy spending time. L-shaped kitchen ideas are a traditional layout style – and for good reason. This shape offers plenty of flexibility and storage, without the space feeling too enclosed.
L-shaped kitchen layouts also free you up from one of the biggest worries. It’s not enough to simply have a stylish looking space – If a kitchen fails in terms of practicality, it’s just annoying to work in and not an easily, or cheap, mistake to fix. ‘L-shaped layouts are one of the most practical and versatile options you can go with,’ says Al Bruce, Founder of Olive & Barr. ‘It is perfectly designed with practicality and flexibility at the forefront and the style allows for space-saving storage solutions and the use of every corner of the kitchen.’
Whether the space is generous or small, an L-shaped layout works with both contemporary and traditional cabinetry. And the form is flexible enough to adapt to structural needs, such as sloping ceilings or large windows.
Once you’ve settled on how to plan a kitchen layout in your space, you can choose one of these L-shaped kitchen ideas to design a pretty and practical room. After all, Even though your choices are dictated by the shape and size of your room to a large extent, that doesn’t mean you have to be restricted when it comes to design.
Image credit: Daval
‘An L-shaped solution will help you make good use of the space available and you’ll have plenty of room for cabinets on one side, as well as ample space for bar style meals on the other,’ says Simon Bodsworth, MD, Daval Furniture. ‘The cook has plenty of room to manoeuvre and can chat with guests at the same time, it’s a real win-win in a hardworking kitchen that likes to entertain guests.’
As well as being perfectly practical, an L-shaped kitchen with an island provides a wonderful base to start working with colours. Choose two complementary colours for the cabinetry and island, and use surfaces in one of these two shades. For an added pop of colour, select a third – more unexpected – tone, and use in accessories and detailing, like window dressings, upholstery and tiling.
Image credit: Second Nature Kitchens
‘Think about the size of the room you have and what you want to do in that room,’ says Graeme Smith, head of design at Second Nature Kitchens. ‘Is it purely cooking? Or do you want to use it for socialising, dining or working too?’ If the latter, adapt your L-shaped kitchen idea to suit your needs.
For a kitchen which will be multifunctional, tuck a second of the ‘L’ behind a panel of glazing to create some privacy. This is great for keeping mess hidden from guests, and for prepping food in if other family members are working elsewhere in the space.
Image credit: Wren Kitchens
A sister layout to L-shaped, U-shaped kitchen ideas simply add another working ‘arm’ to the space. It’s another practical and pleasing layout, and you can cheat one in your kitchen without redoing cabinetry.
Choose two benches or an L-shaped sofa, and place directly next to the end of your cabinetry. For a seamless look that will trick the eye, match the upholstery to the colour of your cabinets.
Image credit: Harvey Jones
L-shaped kitchens with islands are always a good look – so long as you have enough space for people passing each side of the island. The downside is that the two work areas can seem rather disparate.
Link the sections together by matching your materials exactly. Think the same surface material, the same cabinetry paint and the same hardware. Not only will this create a cohesive look, but the space will look larger as your eye isn’t drawn to something ‘different’ elsewhere in the room.
Image credit: Optiplan Kitchens
‘Maximise the use of worktops and cabinets down the room – including storage low and high to make the most of storage space available,’ says Andy Briggs, Interior Designer at Optiplan Kitchens. ‘ A large number of cupboards and some internal storage solutions can all push up the price of a new kitchen – so think about what kitchen layout will best suit your lifestyle and what you want to achieve in this space.’
Make the room feel larger without compromising on this key storage element by painting higher cabinets in the same colour as the walls, so they seem to disappear. Lower cabinetry should then be in a lighter, brighter shade to draw the eye without weighing the room down.
Image credit: Olive & Barr
As with every kitchen layout, it’s key to consider the working triangle. This is the space in which most of the practical work is being done – the chopping, cooking, cleaning and so on. The idea is that you want everything to hand so that work flows in an easy and unencumbered manner.
L-shaped kitchens provide a great basis for creating a practical working triangle. A good idea is to start at the far end of the ‘L’ and work along the two arms in the order in which you will be accomplishing tasks. Perhaps starting with your sink for washing food, surfaces for prepping, and then onto the oven for cooking.
Image credit: Future PLC/Veronica Rodriquez
L-shaped kitchens are efficient at making the best use of space. Take the design ethos one step further by using the entire wall to fashion clever storage solutions, from floor to ceiling.
Working with the dominant wall, the one without a window in this case, stylish kitchen cabinets are used above a tiled splashback.
The statement storage spans the entire width of the wall and reaches to the ceiling to ensure every inch of space is utilised. Making the most of storage space is an important thing to do in galley kitchens, too. To add another smart vertical storage element, the chefs knives are stored along a wall-mounted magnetic strip.
Image credit: Future PLC/Barbara Bazso
This is the most practical way to use an L-shape, and the most popular. By running one side of the L under a window you help to balance the other side, which houses the cooker, cooker hood and cabinets.
By incorporating the window into the design you help to give equal purpose to the far wall, using the view beyond to make a statement. Windows also help to lighten U-shaped kitchens as well. Take the look further by adding a patterned blind to add interest. In this homely white kitchen the generous window needs little else to grab attention.
Image credit: Future PLC/Robert Sanderson
If space is no issue you could opt for a layout that cleverly incorporates two L shapes. A bit like the premise of a classic video game, use the kitchen units to fit together perfectly to make the best use of floor space.
The main L-shaped counter can be a base for the kitchen appliances and amenities, while a smaller L fits within the space to house a built-in dining bench area. Using the L shape to fashion a separate zone helps to create a sociable dining area that feels disconnected just enough from the main cooking space.
Image credit: Future PLC/Robert Sanderson
It goes without saying, if you have an open-plan kitchen and living area, you only really have two walls on which to consider for the kitchen.
Capitalise on a far-side corner to keep the kitchen restricted, allowing the living area to benefit from the windows and other architectural details.
The kitchen takes up valuable wall space which means you therefore can’t sacrifice any walls with design details already in place. When considering kitchen appliance layout ideas, keep sinks and appliances to one end to ensure they are at the furthest distance from the living area also.
Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme
In a small kitchen an L shape is ideal as it concentrates all storage and appliances into two sides of the room, leaving the others free and open. This makes the overall space seem bigger.
Keep the colours on the lighter side so it doesn’t appear too cramped. A mixture of cabinets and drawers makes housing pans, pots and general paraphernalia a breeze. While glass Kilner jars display pretty condiments and dried food to perfection.
Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles
This L-shaped kitchen makes excellent use of space. It is easy to work in, as the work triangle can be easily established. Open shelving prevents a small kitchen from looking too busy, while banks of cabinets look stunning in a large kitchen as well as providing an abundance of storage.
A table and chairs fits neatly into the kitchen, while still zoning it off from the rest of the room. Whatever the size of your kitchen, the beauty of the L-shaped layout lies in its simplicity and flexibility. And the ease with which it can be adapted to suit practical requirements and different design tastes, too.
Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme
Don’t be afraid to use darker colours and patterns in your kitchen. Deep colours are warming so often work well in larger kitchens. Inject refined rustic style with painted wooden cabinetry.
In a traditional space, use painted wood to co-ordinate kitchen cabinets with walls and architectural features; in a contemporary scheme, to soften the sharp edges of minimalist design. Go for a mid to deep shade, like the one in this grey kitchen, as it oozes easy elegance and sophistication.
Image credit: Fiona Walker-Arnott
Where space isn’t an issue an L-shape with a central island unit provides informal dining space for the family or a place to chat with friends over coffee. Keep the cooking and kitchen chores tightly together in an L and let the rest of a large room be given over to family life.
Add personality and character with quirky signage and curios, which pop when set against cream kitchen ideas like in this scheme.
Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme
Lack of size does not have to mean lack of style. This compact L-shape kitchen with high-gloss units creates wow factor in a small space with its sleek stainless steel appliances and an acrylic splashback in bright pink.
This smart kitchen splashback is a perfect example of how kitchen planning and interior design have become intertwined. A simple Corian worktop complements the look.
Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole
Make your kitchen work perfectly for busy family life. Fitting your cabinetry, worktops and storage into an L shape leaves the remainder of your kitchen free to move around the space.
Here, maximising the space on two sides of the room allows for an uncluttered look opposite, creating a spacious feel. The look of a layout has become a major factor in an open plan scheme. Think more carefully about the design and aesthetic of the kitchen as it will always be on view.
Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme
Give a wood-effect design an edge with statement accessories. This rustic country kitchen is brought to life with contemporary tiling. The choice of light and dark tiles, which work to separate the cooking and prep zones, provides a stark, modern contrast to the more traditional cabinet design.
If your kitchen is verging on the small side, consider installing wall-hung shelves into the corner of the room.
Open shelves are a practical and stylish solution in any kitchen. Display china and glassware, so that they are easily accessible. Try running a fixed rail below the bottom shelf to hold utensils with hooks for saucepans.
The ergonomics of kitchen layouts focus on creating a smooth, intuitive passage through the space, as well as the most efficient and comfortable cooking environment. Worktops and cabinets are positioned to effortlessly suit the physicality of the user and the job in hand, with sinks and appliances located to encourage logical movement between tasks. Smart kitchen storage ideas ensure provisions and utensils are stored where they’re most frequently used.
‘For those working with an open-plan space, this style of kitchen works exceptionally well,’ explains Paul Bangs, category director for kitchens at Wickes. ‘The addition of an island can provide an extra preparation and seating area, whilst becoming a focal point for the room. Likewise, this style of kitchen works well for those who entertain often or have families, as they offer plenty of space.’
‘The island kitchen creates a centerpiece in the kitchen, allowing you to utilise your kitchen as both a workspace and social area where friends and family gravitate throughout the day,’ adds Olive & Barr’s Al Bruce. ‘The setup is ideal for gathering the family and the added worksurface allows multiple members of the family to get stuck in and help at dinner time.’
With any kitchen design the placement of the fridge has to inline with the design triangle of use – the journey between fridge, sink and oven. But given the shape of an L this will mean the fridge is best placed at either end of the workstations, because it’s the starting point of the journey. If you have a freestanding fridge, the best place for it is at the very end of the L shape, so it doesn’t interrupt the flow of workspace. If the fridge is integrated below countertop level there’s more freedom for placing it closer to the sink.
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The best knife set will be used in your kitchen each and every single day. It’s not a purchase to make lightly, but you can only tell the quality of a knife after prolonged use to see how well the blades last. That’s why we’ve taken the liberty of reviewing the best knife sets on the market from Robert Welch, Zwilling, Ninja, Viners, and Zyliss, to bring you our thoughts.
We have also covered the best chef’s knives in a separate guide, which will be a great all-rounder in your kitchen for chopping veggies or carving meat. These come individually though, and often the best knife sets will come with a chef’s knife included, alongside a bread knife, paring knife, Santoku knife, and much more.
Below, we’ve covered the best knife sets you can buy for your money on the market right now. That includes premium sets that come in stylish blocks, and loose knives that have safety covers to keep them stored safely in your drawers.
Best knife set overall
Best for: Most kitchens
Included: Carving, Bread, Cook’s, Santoku, Kitchen, and Vegetable/Paring Knife
Features: Lightweight and ergonomic knives, easy and sleek knife block
Reasons to buy:
• Flush design is great for small kitchens
• Unique, stylish block
• Next-level quality
Reasons to avoid:
• Pricey, but worth it
The Robert Welch Signature Book Oak Wood Filled Knife Block is a brilliant choice for any kitchen. It’s stylish and expensive, but we think it’s more than worth the money. The unique book block design is eye-catching, and will sit flush against kitchen walls without taking up too much space – perfect for those without the largest kitchen.
As with most high-quality knives, you’ll have to wash this set by hand. It comes with a carving knife (23cm), bread knife (22cm), cook’s knife (18cm), santoku knife (11cm), kitchen knife (14cm), and vegetable/paring knife (10cm). There’s a knife for every task, from carving meat to slicing baguettes, and the handles are ergonomic and make chopping pretty enjoyable.
Ideal Home rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best knife set for serious chefs
Best for: Home chefs who want something serious
Included: Five knives, shearing scissors, self-sharpening knife block
Features: Self-sharpening design, scissors for tough tasks
Reasons to buy:
• Knife slots marked clearly
• Self-sharpening design
• Generous sizes
Reasons to avoid:
• Takes up a lot of counter space
We think Zwilling makes some of the best saucepan sets and best non-stick frying pans on the market, but the brand is perhaps best known for its knife blocks. The Zwilling Pro 7 Piece Ash Self Sharpening Knife Block is forged from special stainless steel in Germany. It has five knives: 1 larding / garnishing knife (10 cm/61 g), 1 universal knife (13 cm/66 g), 1 meat knife (16 cm/128 g), 1 chef’s knife (20 cm/214 g), and 1 bread knife (20 cm/135 g). There are also some multi-purpose scissors (21 cm) which have their own slot in the self-sharpening block.
The block itself is hardy without looking harsh. It is quite big, so set aside a bit of space to store it. It’s self-sharpening too, with V-edge sharpeners in each knife slot apart from the serrated knife. The handles are plastic, but they’re very grippy and are perfectly sized for your hands. Again, these are handwash recommended, but they’ll last a lifetime.
Ideal Home rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best knife set for in-built sharpening
Best for: Those with plenty of counter space
Included: Five knives, a sharpening slot in the block
Features: Large, grippy base, sideways storage
Reasons to buy:
• Excellent quality blades
• The block is great for grabbing
• Every kitchen task is covered
Reasons to avoid:
• Not the most stylish option
Ninja is a brand we usually associate with the best air fryers, not with kitchen knives. The Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block with Integrated Sharpener is the brand’s first attempt, but it’s a great start. With its roots in American design, which typically comes with larger kitchens as standard, it’s not a surprise that this block takes up a lot of counter space. It’s the largest block we tested, coming in at 25.5 x 14.5 x 29.3 centimetres, but it is really good.
The blades arrive razor-sharp, with specific safety instructions on how to use the sharpening side of the block. Ninja recommends doing this every two weeks, and we found it easy to get to grips with. You simply put the blade into the slot, hold it there, and pull the lever to the side up and down fully. The handles have a traditional bolstered look, which we like, and have a good weight. There are five knives: 20cm chef, 20cm bread, 20cm carving, 13cm utility, and 9cm paring.
Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best knife set without a block
Best for: Those who don’t want a block
Included: Six colourful knives with storage sheaths
Features: Very sharp blades, colourful design, drawer-friendly
Reasons to buy:
• Dishwasher-safe
• Safe for drawers thanks to the covers
• Takes up very little space
Reasons to avoid:
• An unconventional look
We love a good knife block, but if you don’t have the space for one (or you already have one and want a new set to expand your collection) this Zyliss Comfort 6 Piece Knife Set will serve you well. There are six knives in total: an 18.5cm chef’s knife, 18.5cm Santoku knife, 13cm utility knife, 10.5cm serrated paring knife, 8.5cm inch paring knife, and 6.5cm inch peeling knife. Each comes with a cover that slides right on.
Unlike any of the best knife sets we’ve mentioned so far, the Zyliss Comfort 6 Piece Knife Set is dishwasher-safe. It’s also covered for five years by a manufacturer’s guarantee. These knives are made of Japanese steel and thoughtfully designed with a finger guide on the blade to hold the knife with balance, as well as a finger indent on the handle.
Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best knife set for safety features
Best for: Safety-conscious shoppers on a budget
Included: Five knives, and a block
Features: Safe and shark design, easy to use block
Reasons to buy:
• Fibre rod block
• Safe, rounded edges
• A small and chic look
Reasons to avoid:
• Hand wash only
With a 20cm chef knife, 20cm bread knife, 20cm carving knife, 12.5cm utility knife, and 9cm paring knife, this knife set is pretty unconventional. It has a block with fibre rods that will store your knives safely, no matter where you place them. Another thing that stets it apart is the safety squared tip, which will mean that your knife doesn’t have a point at the end. It will still cut brilliantly, and they’re a little shorter because of this.
We really enjoy the non-stick coating on the blades of the Viners Assure 5 Piece Knife Block Set, which matches the ergonomic soft-touch handles and black storage block. This block is also pretty compact, and we think it would be great for students, casual cooks, or those on a budget.
Ideal Home rated 4 out of 5 stars
We reviewed each and every one of the best knife sets in this guide hands-on. In fact, our Small Appliances and Cooking editor Millie Fender tried each and every block herself in her own kitchen for months to give every knife set a fair shot.
There’s only one way to review knives, and that’s to use them. We chopped tricky items like butternut squash, mango, pineapple, meat, and more when testing, making sure that each knife block was integrated into everyday life.
Things we took into account included the experience of holding the knives, the look and layout of the knife block, the style and dimensions, the cleaning process, and the sharpness over a prolonged period of time.
Nobody knows knives like the pros, which is why we spote to Wilson, Product Specialist at Robert Welch, to ask for top tips on how to shop for and look after knives.
There’s no denying that putting things in the dishwasher is a lot easier than hand-washing, but most knives need to be washed by hand. Robert Welch’s Product Specialist told us “I always say good quality knives are like owning a Rolls Royce, you wouldn’t want to put it through a car wash. Kitchen knives can be easily rinsed after use and dried for maintaining the edge. Placing knives in the dishwasher is not terribly detrimental but will have an effect.
Firstly any contact of the blade in loading and unloading the dishwasher can damage the fine edge or at least dull it slightly, the fact that ALL kitchen knives are hardened means they are naturally magnetic meaning any NON stainless steel items in your dishwasher such as cast iron pans, sieves, utensils etc can cause rust migration. That’s when microscopic particles of non stainless steel metals fly around the dishwasher and are attracted to the knives surface which will oxidise in the humid conditions and cause rust marks. These can be polished off but then if you are going to do that you may as well have washed it by hand.”
When shopping for a kitchen knife set, it’s possible that you’ll be spending upwards of £200, so it’s worth knowing how best to care for your knives to help them last. “Store them correctly, minimising all contact with the blade. Our Robert Welch book block” (the one we tried and loved) “saves space and allows your knives to hang without there ever being a chance of contact with the blade edge.”
“If you would have only one knife in the kitchen you would want it to be a Chef’s knife (also known as a Cook’s knife) whichever size is comfortable for you, Chef’s knives have a straight enough blade to satisfy the choppers and the curved front edge works for those of you who are rockers.
If you were having two knives you’d want the second to be some sort of paring knife, the Robert Welch Signature 8cm is my most favoured knife, great for peeling, turning vegetable and for all fruit and salad preparation.
The third knife I feel is a personal choice, if you eat a lot of home-cooked bread then a bread knife is a good shout, but if you cook a roast every week you’d be better off with a carving knife. This is great for large or small roasts, but excellent for slicing cakes and bakes too as well as large fish prep like whole salmons.”
We spoke to the experts at Viners to find out how to prevent kitchen knives from rusting. “It is important to care for your knives properly and the best way to prevent rust spotting is to avoid moisture sitting on the blade for long periods of time. There are several tips to consider:
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