Sally says:

I receive many complaints about the unexpected application of early repayment mortgage charges. This financial string is attached to fixed-rate loans because the lender loses money if a deal is ended early. These extra costs can be tricky to avoid if a borrower takes unusual steps, and “porting” loans to a new home is not always straightforward.

Your case is unusual in that you would own two properties for a short period but from what I could see there seemed to be little risk involved to Santander, so I asked it to take a look at your case again.

A few days later it came back with a more pleasing response. A spokesman said: “Having reviewed the case we have agreed to refund the early repayment charge due once his current mortgage is agreed subject to our lending criteria, and successfully transferred to the new property he has purchased.”

Though you described the arrangement as “inefficient”, you were pleased and said your £17,000 should be back with you soon, as the house sale and the purchase had been completed. I wish you well in your new home.