Mortgage for an expats who aren't really expat!

booroo

I'm currently in Australia with my partner. The house we own in the UK is up for remortgage in March (a week after we return to the UK).

We called London & Country to try to lock in a good rate now (they tried contacting us first) but they told us that they couldn't help us as we're expats.

The thing is...we're here for a year only. I'm 'non-employed' but my girlfriend is still employed by the UK (thus money is going into her UK account, she is getting taxed there etc). This is basically a year's placement in Australia with her work.

So...are we really expats? Even if we are, why is this an issue? Is anyone able to advise on our situation and what we can do about it?

I'm guessing it would be dangerous to just state that we're living elsewhere in the UK (at my partner's family home which is receiving all of our mail) but I don't understand why this is an issue.

Any advice, experience or other knowledge on the issue would be gratefully accepted.

Thanks
booroo

Edit: I should probably add that we are currently renting the property out so this would probably add further complications in trying to secure a good mortgage

kingstreet

If you remortgage, you're only going to be offered BTL products.

If you have consent to let from your existing lender, you may wish to discuss the possibility of a customer retention product with them. However, they may be unwilling to grant one while the property continues to be let.

booroo

Ah, of course. Many thanks for this.