What is a mortgage discharge fee?
Put simply, discharge fees are a fee you might have to pay at the end of your home loan - whether that's because you've completely paid it off or you're refinancing and simply ending the loan with that lender.
They cover the administrative costs of discharging the loan. Discharge fees can also be called settlement fees (not to be confused with the settlement fees you pay at the start of the loan!)
How much do discharge fees cost?
Many lenders do not charge discharge fees, but for those who do the cost can vary from $150 to $400. These fees are what you’ll have to pay to get a hold of your title deeds.
Lenders can also charge what they refer to as ‘early discharge’ or ‘early termination fees’. You might have to pay this if you repay the loan amount completely within a stipulated timeframe, for example within the first five years. The flipside is that the law states that these charges cannot exceed the losses incurred by lenders owing to such early loan terminations.
The most important takeaway to remember is that if you feel these charges are excessive or unfair, don’t hesitate to lodge a complaint with your lender.
What are the big four banks' home loan exit fees?
- Westpac: $350
- CBA: $350
- NAB: $350
- ANZ: $160
What other exit fees are there?
Early termination fees (or break costs).
You might need to pay a fee if you end the loan before a specified time, like if you have fixed the loan for a certain number of years.
This fee is much more dependent on your loan factors and so it's hard to say how much they would cost. For example, the higher the loan balance you're repaying, the higher the fee is likely to be.
How much do early termination fees cost?
The cost of early termination fees, or break fees, depend on multiple factors like the original loan amount, outstanding balance, how much time remains on the fixed term and the prevailing interest rate. The higher the outstanding balance, the higher the break costs. The same applies with the remaining loan term.
When it comes to the interest rate, lenders compare the interest rate that you fixed at with other interest rates they have on offer. If your interest rate is lower, expect to pay break costs.
Break costs often come into the picture if you want to leave your home loan when there’s a better deal, or if you make too many additional repayments on your home loan. Even if you’re not leaving your loan to refinance, there are many reasons you might leave your home loan, such as moving overseas or interstate, accepting sudden profitable offers from buyers or receiving a substantial increase in income
How can I avoid exit fees?
Not all lenders charge exit fees, so the best way to avoid them is by choosing a lender which doesn't offer them!
Aside from that, if your lender is charging a discharge fee it's likely you'll have to pay it.
If you're refinancing, you might be able to speak to your lender and bargain for a better rate with them. That way, you still get your lower rate and no discharge fee. Before you bargain with your bank, make sure you study existing options on the market so you know exactly what you're up against.
There are some banks that may have conditions you can meet in order not to pay exit fees, for instance, if you have enough security.
If you’ve decided that you want to pay off your loan ahead of time or that you want to switch to a new loan, establish just how much you’ll have to pay as part of the process after accounting for all exit and early repayment fees. If you’re looking for refinancing options, compare the rates of existing loans and find out if you’ll actually save by making the switch. If you’ll save money, go for it.
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Frequently asked questions about mortgage discharge fees
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Ask a question
Just pay off almost the whole loan but leave $50 owing.
I did this last time I exited a Comm bank Homeloan and as the costs were based on 3 months of interest of the outstanding amount when I went back later to pay the $50 off it was just a couple of bucks.
I have been with ANZ and have switched to another lender. ANZ have charged an ANZ Discharge Production Fee and a ANZ Settlement Fee, both of these fees were listed in the contract so I assume that these are valid fees.
However they have also charged a Discharge Registration Fee (For WA only) $164.00
I can’t seem to find anything about this fee, is this a legitimate fee?
Hi Max,
Thanks for the question!
After some research I found that this could be a state government fee that is payable to Landgate, the Western Australian Land Information Authority, for discharging, transferring, or lodging a mortgage. More information can be found on the Landgate fees breakdown page, but you may wish to query it with ANZ to find out if this is the same fee.
I hope this helps,
Marc
I’m with Bankwest variable home loan under 2 years what fees do I have to pay if I sell my house at this stage?
Hi Richard,
thanks for the question.
For the most accurate estimation of the fees you’ll pay if leaving your loan, contact Bankwest. They will be able to provide you with a quote.
Generally speaking, the exit fees depend on the specific home loan product and lender, but many lenders charge fees around $300 when discharging a home loan.
I hope this helps,
Marc.
I have been with westpac home loan for 6 years..and my home loan is variable..i would like to pay my loan out all..what fees do i have to pay…
Hi Zeia,
Thanks for reaching out.
I can confirm that there is no early exit fee for any Westpac variable rate home loan. However, to discharge a mortgage there is a fee of $350.
Kind regards,
Belinda
Hi there,
Do you know the exit fees for our variable rate home loan with St George : for $ 300k ?
Hi Gareth,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Unfortunately, we do have the information as to how much the exit fees charged by St. George on their variable home loan product. Usually, the exit fee varies from bank to bank. You’d be best if you contact St. George directly to find out how much they would charge for the exit fee.
Cheers,
May