Virgin Money

dunklej

In Feb 2016 I had offers accepted on two properties that I was intending to use as Buy to Lets.

The seller of one house wished to continue to live in the house as a tenant while she sought another property to buy.
The seller of the other house wished to continue to live in the house as a tenant in the medium - long term

This seemed to be ideal situations that would save me having to find new tenants so I was very happy to agree.

I applied for two Buy to Let Mortgages from Virgin Money and paid for a Home Buyers report on one propert, but after some 10 days, I was told that this situation (the seller staying on as a tenant) breached their lending criteria. Virgin Money refused to explain why this was a problem.

The seller of one property said that she would move into temporary accommodation to help the sale to go through. I therefore told Virgin Money that I wished to proceed with this application and that I would find another mortgage provider for the other property (the Leeds Building Society were quite happy to lend on this basis). Virgin Money responded by saying that both of my applications were declined despite the seller agreeing to move out.

I have been seeking an explanation from Virgin Money since Feb (it is now the end of June) but they have refused to supply one, suggesting that if I am unhappy, I should contact the Financial Ombudsman. I do not think that it is a matter for the Ombudsman but I do think that it is appalling Customer Service and I would be very interested to hear of other experiences with Virgin Money

amnblog

Virgin Money criteria states that BTL mortgages are: 'Not available where customer intends to let the property back to the seller'

If the VM team were told of your intention to let to the seller's before application you may have a case for a refund of valuation fees.

If not, your lack of knowledge has cost you.

This criteria is not unique to VM.

Senior_Paper_Monitor

Virgins answer is in their published criteria ....

Restrictions:

Available to individuals only, not Limited Companies

Not available where customer intends to let the property back to the seller

We will lend up to a maximum of 20% of the units in any one block / development


... a very common restriction (for perfectly valid reasons around 'established tenancy').

Leeds do not publish any such restriction.


There are no grounds for complaint here.