Can a couple get a joint mortgage with just one working?

houseownerwannabe_2

Hi

As the title says, can my partner and I get a joint mortgage with him as sole earner? I'm a student nurse but my bursary, tax credits and child maintenance can't be included as income so the adviser says we can only apply in my partners name. Surely lots of coupes get joint mortgages with just one working? What about those with one at home looking after children etc? Thanks in advance for any help

Senior_Paper_Monitor

There may be an affordability reasons to keep you off (where you are being accounted for as a dependent) BUT

... I would fancy the chances of getting some or all of those accepted as income with right lender and solving the problem (subject a whole lot of other considerations which we do not have information about - and your broker presumably does).

pollydollydoodah

We had mortgage advice recently (I'm not working) and got told tax credits may be used as income!? It would be a joint mortgage for us . Ive been on mortgages before when I've not worked.

Are you speaking to a broker or a bank?

houseownerwannabe_2

Hi

It's a broker we're speaking with. We had tried a bank originally and they'd said it was fine however because my partner has some defaults (all over 5 years old and all settled) we fell outside their criteria and so we've had to start all over again. The new broker says we can't use any of those for income so I guess its to do with the lender he's found (he hasn't disclosed the name yet). I think it may a specialist lender as he said there will be a slightly higher interest rate due the defaults but I just can't see why I can't be considered. Even if they can't use my "income" surely they can't ignore the fact that with my maintenance and tax credits i bring in over £9000 and thats without my bursary! So frustrating!

Thanks for the replies

Senior_Paper_Monitor

Your broker has the full facts - we don't.

I was about to say I could guess where he is going - and they don't accept child benefit or child tax credit (but will accept maintenance if court/CSA ordered and proof of regular payment - and might accept bursary), so I may well be wrong.

The big decision on the lender is going to be dependent upon the detail of your credit reports.

ThePants999

I can't speak about whether they'll count your income, but if you can pass affordability just based on your partner's income then yes, you absolutely can apply for a joint mortgage with just one income. That's exactly what my wife and I have.

amnblog

It could be down to affordability, but is it possible your own credit file adds additional complication?

houseownerwannabe_2

amnblog wrote: »

It could be down to affordability, but is it possible your own credit file adds additional complication?

Hiya, mine is clean apart from one account with a couple of late payments five years ago, it was only for £34 tho.

amnblog

As SPM says, your broker has the full facts

houseownerwannabe_2

Well it looks like the DIP has been accepted with me on it, now just trying to work out confusion over 12 months employment as my partner started end of March last year, may have to wait a month to apply! This is so stressful!

HappyMJ

houseownerwannabe wrote: »

Well it looks like the DIP has been accepted with me on it, now just trying to work out confusion over 12 months employment as my partner started end of March last year, may have to wait a month to apply! This is so stressful!

12 months employment? You just need a job there's very rarely a requirement to have held it for 12 months.