The questions and original answers

I'm sorry you're having to navigate this while separating from your partner. In New Zealand, keeping the family home and moving a joint mortgage into your sole name is often possible, but the key question is whether a lender will approve you for the full mortgage on your own income and financial position.

My recommendation is to start with your existing lender, then compare at least two other lenders through a mortgage adviser. Your existing bank may be the simplest option, but it isn't automatically the best one if another lender assesses your income, equity or living expenses more favourably.

1. Which lenders would I recommend?

These are the lenders I'd consider first for a New Zealand borrower looking to take over a joint home loan after separation. The right choice will depend on your circumstances and current lending criteria.

1. ANZ New Zealand

Best first call if your mortgage is already with ANZ

I'd ask ANZ whether it can restructure the existing lending or arrange a new loan in your sole name. It offers home-loan restructuring and support for relationship breakdowns, although you still need to meet its lending criteria. Manage your home loan

Website: ANZ home loans

2. BNZ

Worth comparing for refinancing

BNZ has a defined refinancing process and explains the documents needed to assess your finances. Its Home Loan Switch offer may cover legal fees for eligible applicants, but its published no-legal-fees option excludes changes in property ownership. Because a separation often involves transferring your partner's share, confirm the costs before proceeding. Refinancing your home loanChecking your eligibility for Home Loan Switch

Website: BNZ home loans

3. ASB

A useful major-bank comparison

I'd include ASB in a comparison of affordability assessments, interest rates, loan structure and any available refinancing contribution. Ask specifically how it would assess you as the sole borrower and whether it can support the ownership transfer. Approval and offers will depend on your circumstances.

Website: ASB home loans

4. Westpac New Zealand

Another strong comparison option

Ask Westpac to assess the proposed mortgage against your single income and your likely post-separation expenses. Compare the total cost of switching, including any cash contribution, legal costs and potential fixed-rate break charges, rather than looking at the advertised interest rate alone.

Website: Westpac home loans

5. Kiwibank

Worth including if you want another alternative

Kiwibank is another option to compare for a sole-name application. Ask for an assessment based on the actual mortgage balance, property value, your income and your expected living costs, plus a full breakdown of switching costs.

Website: Kiwibank home loans

These are a shortlist to approach, not a claim that each lender will approve a separation-related transfer. The strongest option is the lender that can approve the required borrowing at a sustainable repayment level and complete the legal transfer on acceptable terms.

2. What will determine whether you can keep the house?

Lenders will generally focus on four things:

• Your income on its own: salary or self-employed earnings, and any other income the lender is prepared to recognise.
• The mortgage balance compared with the home's value: this determines your equity and the lender's security.
• Your post-separation expenses: living costs, dependants, child support, other debts and credit limits can all affect affordability.
• Whether you need to pay your partner for their share: if you need extra borrowing to buy them out, you may need a larger loan than the existing mortgage.

Lenders must assess whether you can afford the loan, taking account of income, expenses and other debt. Having made the current joint mortgage repayments successfully does not guarantee that you can qualify for the same balance alone. Mortgages and home loansConcerns about lending decisions

3. The steps I'd take in your position

1. Get an indicative assessment from your current bank. Explain that you're separating and want to retain the property with the mortgage in your sole name. Ask what borrowing amount it would approve based on your income alone.
2. Speak to an independent mortgage adviser. Ask them to compare your existing bank with at least two alternatives, including lenders that may be more suitable if your income is variable or your borrowing is close to the affordability limit. Check their lender panel and any fees.
3. Establish the buyout amount. Get an appropriate property valuation and work out your partner's share of the equity. The amount you need to pay them depends on your legal property division, not simply on the mortgage balance.
4. Use separate legal advice. A lawyer can help document the property settlement and arrange the transfer of ownership alongside the lending. In New Zealand, a relationship-property agreement generally needs to be in writing, with each partner receiving independent legal advice and the required lawyer witnessing and certification. Understand relationship propertyDivide relationship property
5. Get formal approval before committing. Ensure the lender agrees to release your former partner from the mortgage and that the title transfer and settlement can proceed together.

One important caution: if your former partner moves out but remains named on the mortgage, they can still be liable for the full debt. An informal agreement that you will make all the repayments does not release them from that liability. Relationship breakdowns and banking

4. Let me narrow this down to the best lenders for you

The most useful recommendation depends on your numbers. If you're comfortable sharing approximate figures, I can help you work out which lenders to approach first and what might make your application stronger.

Approximate figures are fine. You can skip anything you're unsure about.

With those details, I can give you a more meaningful shortlist rather than simply listing the major banks, and help you identify whether the main hurdle is likely to be income, equity or funding the buyout.

I'm sorry you're having to navigate a separation and a mortgage at the same time. If your goal is to keep your home in Auckland and have the mortgage solely in your name, I'd focus on lenders that can assess a change in ownership and removal of a joint borrower, rather than simply offering the lowest advertised interest rate.

In New Zealand, this is usually handled as a relationship separation buyout or a sole-borrower refinance. You may be able to stay with your existing bank, but you'll generally need to demonstrate that you can afford the mortgage on your own. The bank may also need to approve the transfer of ownership and your agreement with your former partner.

The key question is whether a lender will approve the mortgage based on your single income, living expenses, the amount you need to borrow, and the equity in the home.

Which lenders I'd approach first

I'd start with your existing bank, then compare a small number of alternatives through a mortgage adviser who understands separation-related lending. These are my recommended lenders to approach, not a guarantee that they'll approve a sole-income application.

1. ANZ New Zealand

Worth checking first if you're already a customer

Why I'd consider it: ANZ has home-loan coaches and support options for relationship breakdowns. It may be possible to restructure your existing lending rather than move banks. Manage your home loanApply for financial hardship assistance

Ask them: Can you release my former partner from the mortgage and approve me as the sole borrower, including any payment needed to buy out their share?

2. BNZ

Why I'd consider it: BNZ offers a home-loan switching service and has a customer-assistance team. However, its published no-legal-fee switching offer excludes applications where property ownership is changing, so your separation buyout needs to be assessed under the appropriate lending process. Checking your eligibility for Home Loan SwitchExperiencing financial difficulty

Best reason to approach: To see whether its assessment of your income and proposed loan structure is more suitable than your existing bank's.

3. Westpac New Zealand

Why I'd consider it: Westpac specifically provides guidance for managing finances during separation, including potential home-loan restructuring and temporary repayment support where eligible. Help with your finances during a separationFinancial hardship support

Best reason to approach: As a comparison lender if your current bank is unwilling to approve the loan on one income or its proposed terms aren't competitive.

4. ASB

Why I'd consider it: ASB is another major bank worth including in a competitive assessment, particularly if you want to compare the overall affordability and structure of a new loan.

Best reason to approach: Ask for a formal assessment of the proposed sole-borrower loan, including whether you need extra borrowing to settle your former partner's equity.

5. Kiwibank

Why I'd consider it: A further mainstream option to compare on lending criteria, fees and interest rates. Its home-loan team can also discuss restructuring options if affordability is tight. Financial hardship & assistance | Accounts

Best reason to approach: To test whether another bank can support the loan size you need without making the ongoing repayments unmanageable.

My practical recommendation is to approach your current lender first, but don't assume you have to stay there. A lender that is comfortable with your income and the equity position may be a better fit than one offering a slightly lower interest rate.

I'd also speak to a mortgage adviser

In your situation, a good adviser may be more valuable than applying to several banks yourself. They can compare lenders' policies and help you work out whether the proposed loan is realistic on one income. The Financial Markets Authority explains what advisers do and recommends asking about their fees, commissions and the lenders they can access. Mortgage adviceHow do I find an adviser?

Two Auckland options to investigate are:

• Squirrel Mortgages & Investments — Auckland CBD, 29 Sale Street. A mortgage-advice firm worth contacting for a comparison across lenders.
• Kiwi Mortgages — Auckland CBD, 279A Karangahape Road. Another option for discussing your borrowing capacity and refinance options.

Ask each whether they regularly handle separation buyouts, which lenders they can approach, and whether they'll charge you any advice or application fees.

What will determine whether you can keep the home?

There are four main factors:

1. Your income: Your salary or self-employed income must support the repayments, alongside your living costs and any child-support or childcare expenses.
2. Your loan amount: The existing mortgage may be manageable on your income, but borrowing extra to pay your former partner their share can make approval harder.
3. Your equity: The property's value minus the mortgage gives you the starting point for working out the equity available. Your agreed division of relationship property determines how much, if anything, you need to pay your former partner.
4. Your legal arrangements: The lender must approve the lending change, and the ownership transfer and relationship-property agreement need to be handled correctly. In New Zealand, a property agreement generally requires independent legal advice for both parties. Separating from your spouse or partnerDivide relationship property

One important point: don't assume your former partner is released from the mortgage just because you've agreed that you'll keep the house. Get the lender's approval and have the release and title transfer completed properly.

Let me narrow this down to the lenders most likely to suit you

If you're comfortable sharing a few approximate figures, I can give you a more targeted recommendation rather than just a list of banks.

With those figures, I can help you estimate the equity position, identify which lenders I'd approach first, and flag whether the main challenge is likely to be affordability or the amount needed to buy out your former partner.

I'm sorry you're having to navigate this alongside a separation. If you want to keep your home in Christchurch, the key is finding a lender willing to approve the mortgage in your sole name, while making sure the financial settlement with your partner is manageable.

My recommendation is to compare your existing bank with at least two other lenders, ideally through a New Zealand mortgage adviser. The best lender won't necessarily be the one with the lowest advertised interest rate. It'll be the one that can approve the loan based on your income alone, accommodate any payment to your former partner for their share of the property, and offer a repayment structure you can comfortably afford.

There are three separate things to work through:

• Mortgage approval: Can you afford the remaining debt on your income, after your living expenses and other commitments?
• Ownership and settlement: Can you buy out your partner's share, if required, and agree on how much equity each of you receives?
• Release from the joint loan: Will the lender formally remove your former partner from the mortgage and liability? A private agreement between you isn't enough.

Which lenders I'd compare first

These are the lenders I'd put on your shortlist. This is a practical comparison, not a guarantee that any particular bank will approve a sole-income application.

1. ANZ New Zealand

I'd include ANZ if it's your current lender or you have a straightforward PAYE income and a good repayment history. Start by asking whether it can restructure the existing lending in your sole name, and whether a buyout amount can be included.

Why consider it: your current lender already has your mortgage history and property security details. Ask for a formal assessment of affordability on your income alone.

2. ASB

Worth comparing if you're considering switching banks or want another assessment of your borrowing capacity. ASB has a dedicated home-loan switching process and lets you compare loan structures and rates. Switch your home loanHome loan interest rates and fees

Why consider it: a useful comparison for the total cost of refinancing, including rates, fees and any cash contribution.

3. BNZ

BNZ is worth approaching for a refinance assessment. It outlines the financial documents required and offers a Home Loan Switch process for eligible borrowers. However, its published no-legal-fee switching eligibility excludes changes in property ownership, so your separation-related title transfer needs to be checked specifically. Refinancing your home loanChecking your eligibility for Home Loan Switch

Why consider it: an additional major-bank assessment, with a clear process for reviewing your finances.

4. Kiwibank

Include Kiwibank if you want a further quote on refinancing. It offers a refinancing package for eligible borrowers, but its published fee-free package also excludes changes in property ownership. Confirm how it would handle a transfer of ownership between separating partners. Switching to Kiwibank | Home loansMaking changes to your loan | Home loans

Why consider it: another bank to compare for pricing, loan structure and your specific settlement arrangement.

5. Westpac New Zealand

I'd include Westpac in the comparison, particularly if the other banks' assessments don't give you enough borrowing capacity or you want to compare repayment options.

Why consider it: a further major-bank option. Ask for a sole-borrower assessment that explicitly includes the separation and property settlement.

One important distinction: I wouldn't assume that one of these banks is more flexible than the others for separation cases without seeing your numbers and obtaining a lending assessment. Approval depends on the lender's current criteria, your income, expenses, debt, equity and the amount needed to settle with your partner.

A Christchurch mortgage adviser I'd consider

A broker is especially useful here because you need to solve both the affordability question and the ownership-transfer question. Ask them to assess several lenders rather than submitting multiple full applications yourself.

Mortgage First

Christchurch-area mortgage adviser with a stated nationwide service. Its website says advice is generally free to customers unless a fee is disclosed and agreed in advance. Home Loans & Mortgages: Mortgage First

Website: mortgagefirst.co.nz

Key & Compass

A Christchurch-based adviser that offers an initial free 15-minute call and says it will work through your circumstances and lending options. Key & Compass | Trusted Mortgage Advisers & Home Loans in NZ

Website: keyandcompass.co.nz

I'd ask either adviser this specific question: “Can you compare mainstream banks for a relationship-property buyout where I keep the house and qualify on my income alone? If the banks decline, what are the alternatives and their costs?”

How to work out whether keeping the home is realistic

The most important number is the new total borrowing required, not just your current mortgage balance.

For example, suppose your home is worth $800,000 and the mortgage is $400,000.

Calculation	Example
Current home value	$800,000
Less mortgage balance	−$400,000
Total equity	$400,000
Illustrative partner buyout at 50% of equity	$200,000
Potential new mortgage	$600,000

This is only an illustration. Your actual settlement may differ depending on the relationship-property agreement, contributions, other assets and debts, and legal advice.

The bank will assess whether your income can service the resulting mortgage. If you're borrowing more than the existing joint loan, the additional borrowing may also affect the applicable lending restrictions. Understand relationship propertyLoan-to-value ratio restrictions - Reserve Bank of New ZealandUnderstanding debt-to-income (DTI) restrictions - Reserve Bank of New Zealand

What I'd do next

1. Get an indicative property valuation and your latest mortgage balance.
2. Speak to a family lawyer about the property settlement and the amount, if any, you need to pay your partner.
3. Ask your current lender for a sole-borrower servicing assessment before committing to a settlement.
4. Compare that result with two or three other lenders, including the full costs of switching, legal work and any fixed-rate break fees.
5. Ensure the lender formally releases your partner from the joint debt as part of the completed transaction. The Banking Ombudsman explains that both borrowers generally remain liable until the bank releases one or the loan is repaid. Relationship breakdowns and bankingSwitch your home loan

Let me narrow this down for your situation

I can give you a much more useful shortlist if I know a few key numbers. Rough estimates are absolutely fine.

Share whatever you know; you can leave any field unchanged if you're unsure.

I'm sorry you're having to navigate this alongside a separation. If you want to keep your home in Dunedin, the good news is that you may be able to refinance the joint mortgage into your sole name, or have your existing lender formally release your partner from the loan.

My recommendation is to start with your current lender, then compare at least two alternatives that assess your ability to service the mortgage on one income. The best lender isn't necessarily the one offering the lowest interest rate: it's the one that will approve the loan in your name, allow for any payment to your ex-partner for their share of the property, and leave you with manageable repayments.

In New Zealand, there are three main things to work through:

• Affordability: Can your income support the mortgage, your living expenses and any other debts on your own?
• Equity and settlement: If your partner is entitled to a share of the home's equity, can you pay them out without borrowing more than a lender will allow?
• Legal release: Your partner generally needs to be formally released from the mortgage, rather than simply agreeing that you'll make all future repayments.

Which lenders I'd shortlist

I'd compare these lenders first, in this order. This is a practical shortlist, not a claim that any one has a guaranteed higher approval rate for separations.

1. ANZ New Zealand

First to approach if it's your current bank

Ask whether ANZ can retain the existing mortgage and release your partner, rather than requiring a complete refinance. This may simplify the process if the loan structure and your financial position still fit its lending criteria.

Website: ANZ New Zealand

2. ASB

A good alternative to assess alongside your current lender. Ask for a full affordability assessment based on your sole income, including the proposed settlement payment and any childcare or other dependent-related expenses that apply.

Website: ASB home loans

3. BNZ

Worth comparing for a fresh assessment of your borrowing capacity and available loan structures. Compare the total cost, not just the advertised interest rate.

Website: BNZ home loans

4. Kiwibank

Include it in the comparison if you are open to changing banks. Check whether it can support your required loan amount and settlement timing, as well as its rates and fees.

Website: Kiwibank home loans

5. SBS Bank

Another lender worth asking about, especially if you want a broader comparison beyond the largest banks. Its suitability will depend on your equity, income, loan size and the current lending criteria.

Website: SBS Bank home loans

These are lenders I'd investigate, not confirmed offers. Their willingness to approve a sole-borrower application depends on your circumstances, and I haven't verified individual underwriting decisions for separation-related applications.

My strongest recommendation for Dunedin

I'd speak with an independent mortgage adviser before submitting several applications. A local adviser can compare mainstream banks and, if necessary, other lenders without you having to approach each one separately.

Three local options worth contacting are:

Mortgage Link Otago

Established local brokerage offering refinancing and restructuring, with access to non-bank options if mainstream criteria prove difficult.

03 477 7758 · 116 Stuart Street

Broker details

MortgageMe

A local option for discussing refinancing, loan structure and the steps involved in obtaining a new approval.

155 Princes Street, Dunedin

Broker details

Southern Lending Specialists

A Dunedin-based, multi-lender adviser that handles refinancing and can compare options across different lenders.

021 244 4874 · 027 323 1616

Website and contact details

These firms describe their services and lender access on their websites or in local broker directories. Find a Mortgage Broker in Dunedinwho we areSouthern Lending Specialists Ask each adviser which lenders they can actually submit applications to, whether they charge you any fees, and how they are remunerated.

What will determine whether you can keep the house?

The lender choice matters, but these numbers matter more:

• Home value minus current mortgage: establishes your approximate equity.
• Your partner's settlement entitlement: determines whether you need extra borrowing to pay them out.
• Your income after separation: the lender will assess whether you can afford the loan alone.
• Your deposit/equity position: affects the lender's risk and potentially the interest rate available.

For example, if the home is worth $700,000 and the mortgage is $400,000, your combined equity is approximately $300,000 before selling costs, legal costs and any other adjustments. If your partner is entitled to $150,000, you may need to raise that amount as well as retain or refinance the existing mortgage. The actual settlement depends on your legal and financial circumstances.

Before committing, get independent legal advice about the property settlement. New Zealand relationship-property rules can affect how the home and debts are divided, and an agreement involving shared property must meet legal requirements. Understand relationship propertySeparating from your spouse or partner

Also ask your existing bank about any fixed-rate break costs before switching lenders. Mortgages and home loans

Let's narrow this down to the lenders most likely to suit you

I can give you a much more useful shortlist if I understand your financial position. Rough estimates are absolutely fine.

Share whatever you know; you can leave estimates as they are or change them.

With those details, I can help you prioritise which lenders to approach first, whether staying with your current bank looks sensible, and what might make an application stronger.

I'm sorry you're having to navigate this. Separating from a partner while trying to keep your home can be financially and emotionally demanding, so it's worth approaching the mortgage carefully to protect both your home and your long-term financial position.

In Wellington, New Zealand, I'd recommend comparing lenders that are willing to restructure a joint mortgage into a sole-name mortgage as part of a relationship separation, rather than choosing a lender purely on its advertised interest rate.

The key question is whether you can afford the existing mortgage on your income alone, whether the lender will approve you as the sole borrower, and whether you need to borrow additional money to pay your partner their share of the home's equity.

You don't necessarily need to change banks. Your current lender may be the easiest place to start, but another lender could offer a better solution if its lending criteria or affordability assessment suits your circumstances.

1. Which mortgage lenders I'd compare

I'd start with your existing bank, then compare it against three or four other major New Zealand lenders. These are the lenders I'd put on the shortlist.

Lender	Why I'd consider it	What I'd investigate
Your current bank	It already holds your mortgage and has your repayment history. Keeping the loan there may simplify the process.	Whether it will approve a sole-borrower application, release your ex-partner from the debt, and allow you to restructure the loan without unnecessary break costs.
ANZ	Worth including as a major-bank alternative if you want to compare refinancing options.	How much it will lend against your income alone, its treatment of the separation and equity buyout, and its interest rates and fees.
ASB	Another major-bank option to compare for a new sole-name mortgage.	Its affordability assessment, flexibility around the loan structure, and whether it can accommodate your settlement arrangements.
BNZ	Worth comparing, particularly if refinancing costs are important to you.	Its lending assessment and whether it offers a suitable arrangement for your circumstances. Its advertised Home Loan Switch offer has specific eligibility criteria, including that property ownership must not change, so don't assume that offer covers a separation buyout. BNZ's eligibility criteria.
Westpac	A further major-bank option that gives you another basis for comparing rates and approval criteria.	Whether it can approve the mortgage in your name, how it assesses your income and expenses, and the total cost of refinancing.
Kiwibank	Worth including if you want to compare another New Zealand-owned banking option.	Its assessment of your sole income, the amount you need to borrow, and the terms available for the new mortgage.

These are my recommended lenders to approach for comparison, not a ranking of confirmed approval likelihood. I haven't established that any of them will approve your particular application or offer special separation-related lending terms.

My preferred approach

I'd approach the lenders in this order:

1. Your existing lender: Ask for a formal assessment of whether you can retain the property and mortgage in your sole name.
2. An independent mortgage adviser: Ask them to compare your circumstances against the lending criteria of ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac and Kiwibank.
3. The strongest alternative lender: If your existing bank cannot offer a suitable solution, investigate refinancing with the alternative that offers the best combination of approval prospects, affordability and total cost.

An adviser can be particularly helpful if your income is close to the bank's affordability limit or you need to borrow extra money to pay out your partner's share.

2. What will determine whether a lender approves you?

The most important consideration is not which bank has the lowest advertised interest rate. It's whether you can qualify for the mortgage on your own.

Lenders will generally assess several factors.

• Your income: Your salary or other reliable income must be sufficient to support the proposed repayments.
• Your expenses: The lender will consider your living costs, dependants, other debts and financial commitments. If children will be living with you, their associated costs may affect your borrowing capacity.
• The mortgage balance: How much you owe now, and how much you need to borrow after settling with your partner.
• The property's value: This determines how much equity you have and the loan-to-value ratio.
• Your credit and repayment history: The lender will assess your financial position and ability to meet the repayments.
• The proposed settlement: If you need to pay your partner their share of the equity, the bank will need to assess the total borrowing required.

New Zealand's Reserve Bank has loan-to-value ratio restrictions, although exemptions can apply to some types of lending, including qualifying refinancing. Banks also apply their own lending criteria. Reserve Bank of New Zealand: LVR restrictions.

The equity buyout is particularly important

There are two common situations.

Scenario A: You can retain the existing mortgage without increasing it.

Suppose:

• Your home is worth $900,000.
• Your mortgage balance is $450,000.
• You and your partner have $450,000 in equity.

You might be able to retain the existing mortgage, subject to the bank's approval and the legal arrangements for transferring ownership.

Scenario B: You need to increase the mortgage to pay your partner out.

Using the same example, suppose you agree to pay your partner $225,000 for their half of the equity.

If you need to borrow the existing $450,000 mortgage plus $225,000 to fund the buyout, your new borrowing would be $675,000, assuming no other adjustments or costs.

That is a substantially different lending proposition. The bank must assess whether you can afford the larger loan by yourself.

The actual settlement amount may differ depending on your ownership arrangements, any separate property, contributions, agreements and other relationship-property considerations.

3. Why I'd seriously consider a mortgage adviser

In your situation, I'd lean towards using an independent mortgage adviser who works with multiple lenders rather than applying separately to every bank.

The reason is that you're not simply buying a property. You're trying to restructure an existing mortgage following a relationship separation, potentially while buying out your partner's interest.

An adviser can help you:

• Estimate your borrowing capacity on a single income before making formal applications.
• Compare lenders' approaches to your situation.
• Assess whether retaining your current mortgage or refinancing is likely to be more practical.
• Compare interest rates, loan structures, legal costs and potential early repayment charges.
• Identify the documents you'll need to support your application.

The Financial Markets Authority explains what mortgage advisers do and recommends asking which lenders they work with, how they're paid, and what fees you'll face. Read the FMA's mortgage advice guide.

I'd specifically look for an adviser experienced in relationship-property buyouts and single-income mortgage applications.

One important point: ask whether the adviser can access a broad range of lenders, and whether any commission or fee could influence the options presented.

4. Protect yourself during the separation

There are two important issues to resolve alongside the mortgage.

First, make sure your ex-partner is formally released from the mortgage.

Even if your partner moves out and you take over the repayments, you should not assume they're released from their obligations. Both borrowers can remain liable for the joint debt until the lender formally releases one of them or the joint loan is repaid. The Banking Ombudsman explains this in its guide to relationship breakdowns and banking.

Second, get independent legal advice about the property settlement.

Before finalising the transfer, speak to a lawyer about the division of equity and the agreement required to transfer ownership. In New Zealand, a relationship-property agreement must meet specific legal requirements, including independent legal advice for both parties. See the New Zealand Government's separation guidance.

Ideally, coordinate the legal settlement and mortgage approval so that the ownership transfer, any payment to your partner, and the release of the joint mortgage are handled together.

5. Let's narrow this down to the best lenders for you

I can give you a more useful recommendation if I understand your financial position. You don't need to share anything identifying.

The most useful starting point is these four details:

1. Your current bank: ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, Kiwibank or another lender?
2. Your annual income before tax: Approximately how much do you earn on your own?
3. Your mortgage and home value: Roughly how much is left on the mortgage, and what is the property worth?
4. Your partner's equity: Will you need to borrow extra money to pay your partner out, or are you hoping to take over the existing mortgage without increasing it?

For example, you could reply:

• Bank: ANZ
• Income: $110,000
• Mortgage remaining: $500,000
• Home value: $800,000
• Buyout: Need to pay my partner approximately $150,000

With those figures, I can help you assess which lenders I'd approach first, how challenging approval might be on your income alone, and whether keeping the existing mortgage or refinancing looks like the better route.