Mortgage applications and credit searches

mcattap

Hi all - I'm new to this website having just finished reading Martin's book. I was having a discussion with my mother-in-law (no, it was very amicable), and I have a question, which perhaps someone out there could answer.

My mother-in-law and her new husband currently rent a council house, and they are considering buying it from the council. They will need to get a mortgage. She has a concern in that her husband's son is still registered as living at the council house, even though he is living somewhere else. All his mail is sent to my mother-in-law's house. She knows that he is in debt.

If her son-in-law cannot repay the debt, what is the potential impact on my mother-in-law and any possible mortgage application.

Any replies, and/or other avenues to explore that are suggested would be greatly appreciated.