School fees

timeism0ney

Do I need to mention (and therefore take into account) school fees in my mortgage application if they're not paid by me (they are paid by my partner in full). I'm making a mortgage application in my sole name. Just been on the phone with a broker who wasn't sure.

ACG

I would say not as a bit of a guess, but I would also be checking with the lender beforehand.

I assume the fees are for your kids/joint kids rather than your partners kids?

Bermonia

One could argue that they are a joint liability as if your partner were unable to pay the burden would fall upon you - tbh your broker should know or at the very least should find out.

timeism0ney

Yes, it's for our joint kids (not just my partner's kids), so indeed a joint responsibility but I'm not paying school fees, never have done and am not planning to (because I wouldn't be able to afford it).

ACG

There is probably no definitive answer. It needs checking before applying.

Richard_Pia

It's a good question, and as suggested already lender's may vary on how they treat this. I would expect that if the school fees are paid from a joint bank account with your partner, most lenders would take this as a commitment. If a separate bank account and your partner can demonstrate that it is paid from her own income, not yours, then you may be able to find a lender that would ignore it.

timeism0ney

Separate account (all finances completely separate), nothing to do with my account or income.

Richard_Pia

In that case it's just a case of approaching lenders and checking their position on this.

AnotherJoe

Bermonia wrote: »

One could argue that they are a joint liability as if your partner were unable to pay the burden would fall upon you - tbh your broker should know or at the very least should find out.

As long as the position was that should that occur, they'd go to state school, i think its fine to omit all mention since its not a liability the OP has.