Applying for a mortgage with 'indefinite leave to remain' in UK

themightywhites

Hi All

My wife hopes to apply for a mortgage in her name only because of my adverse credit history. I am fairly confident she would qualify in terms of income (a nurse in permanent employment, same employer for last 6 years), and affordability, deposit amount etc. She has no adverse credit whatsoever and has a credit score from 'Credit expert' of 999 (appreciate that this is just a guide at best).

My question is: she has never been on the electoral roll since she came to the UK in 2003; this is because she is not a British citizen. However she has indefinite leave to remain (ILR) stamped in her passport.

Please could anyone advise would any mainstream lender decline her because of this? Additionally she has a long term relationship with Barclays Bank, Nationwide BS and Halifax. Has anyone in a similar situation had any experience of these specific lenders attitude to someone with ILR status.

Thank-you very much.

Ms_Sophia

from what I heard absolute majority of UK banks would not turn away a person with ILR. The requirement is usually - a british/EU citizen or if not, then with ILR.
Halifax and Barclays seem to be positive even to people on long-term work visas.

themightywhites

Thanks very much Ms Sophia thats really appreciated, any other comments really welcome especially from people with ILR who have got a mortgage.

casualwalks

Just out of curiosity, your wife isn't a commonwealth citizen is she? If she is, she is entitled to be on the electoral roll even without British citizenship.

siliconbits

themightywhites wrote: »

Thanks very much Ms Sophia thats really appreciated, any other comments really welcome especially from people with ILR who have got a mortgage.

Hi there, I got my mortgage while I was on a work permit visa, more than two years ago. So ILR is not a prerequisite, being financially sound and having a decent deposit is.

themightywhites

casualwalks wrote: »

Just out of curiosity, your wife isn't a commonwealth citizen is she? If she is, she is entitled to be on the electoral roll even without British citizenship.

Thanks for the comments and help so far; no, my lovely wife is Indian :T

Ms_Sophia

siliconbits wrote: »

Hi there, I got my mortgage while I was on a work permit visa, more than two years ago. So ILR is not a prerequisite, being financially sound and having a decent deposit is.

Some lenders do not lend to people without local passport or ILR. That would be First Direct, Yorkshire BS, Santander and many others.
Also after recession some changed their criteria and what they used to do few years ago - they do not do anymore (eg. HSBC from what I heard do not lend to those without ILR anymore).

casualwalks

themightywhites wrote: »

Thanks for the comments and help so far; no, my lovely wife is Indian :T

India is in the commonwealth http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/142227/members/.

She can put herself on the electoral roll now.

Edit: Also see here http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections/voter-registration

themightywhites

casualwalks wrote: »

India is in the commonwealth http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/142227/members/.

She can put herself on the electoral roll now.

I am stunned; we are going to try to do that now online. Will post back when I have tried it. Feel embarrassed that I have made such an error but what a gem of information, thank-you very much!

themightywhites

What a great site! Casualwalks thank-you so much for that. We have just registered on 'www.aboutmyvote.co.uk'; the form has to be printed out/signed/posted. Any idea how long it takes for my wifes' name to go on the electoral roll?

I don't feel so bad now; I have raised this point on numerous occasions over the years and you are the first person to point out about Commonwealth citizens; thank-you very much.

casualwalks

No problem! Glad I could help.