Buying house in partners name only - questions!

DottieDam

First off apologies for repetition and ALL the question, I know a lot of similar questions come up but I didn't feel like searching was bringing up what I was looking for!

My OH and I are buying a house (in Scotland, if it makes a difference) only WE aren't buying a house he is. The mortgage application and, therefore, house (hopefully, fingers crossed, hate waiting!!) will be in his name. (We already had a DiP based on him alone and mortgage broker knows why it's him only).

This is because I recently decided to go freelance so I don't have three years of earnings to show etc. Prior to this I was the higher earner and based on current work loads I expect my earnings will be similar to when I was conventionally employed.

Our accepted offer was less than the home report value plus the property needs some work. New windows and potential for attic conversion into fourth room.

Our vague plan (although we are trying not to think about it until mortgage application approved!) was that in 5 1/2 years time (when fixed term ran out) we would re-mortgage in both our names and wondered if we could borrow extra (given house is valued at more than we are borrowing) to do major renovations (attic conversion). Is this unrealistic? Are we allowed to even do this? As the house is based on OH salary alone it's well within our budget and we should be in a good position to do smaller things, such as update windows, new bathroom, etc.

Also, we have been married 6 1/2 years so in terms of securing myself in case anything happened does he need a will?

The deposit is a gift from his parents and there is only one linked bank account that is primarily in my name but he was named on - we stopped using this a while ago though. No one has questioned my involvement so far but from reading posts on here I am a little concerned this could confuse matters?

And lastly, I'm obviously planning to financially contribute to the property in terms of renovations but the mortgage will come solely out of his account and I won't 'pay him rent'. I'd pay bills or buy the food or put money in savings etc. We are very open with sharing money and there is no issue there but if we suddenly decided to end things, where does that leave me? I'm not saying this would happen (if anything I think we would stick it out for the dog) but as a teenager I did spend some time on the streets so I'm hyper-sensitive to making sure my living situation is secure. We have discussed this we just don't know where we stand, OH thinks as we are married I have stake in everything anyway?

Sorry for the essay and ALL the questions!

ACG

I hate doing single applications for couples. Just a pet hate of mine, there is nothing wrong with it as such but I always just think if the mrotgage holder dies and there is no life insurance it is a complaint in the waiting. I always end up writing war and peace on suitability letters.

You can still go on the Mortgage even if there is no income your side. It may affect the overall lending amount however.

If affordability is not a problem, I would do it jointly. There is no reason not to. If it is a "trust" issue (and I say that in the loosest sense, not to cause a divorce) then you can put the property in shares, ie, he has 80% you have 20% (or whatever you decide).