Husband won’t put me on the mortgage

shannon80

Hi, I have been married for ten years and my husband still won’t add me to the mortgage. We were both previously married and each have a child from our first marriage (no children together). When we got together my daughter and I moved in with him, and we later married. We were always going to move so that we could buy a house together but for one reason or another it’s not happened. His mortgage still has his ex’s name on it (they had legal paperwork drawn up when they separated to say she had no claim over the house) but I feel very insecure now with living like this and would be much more comfortable with having my name on the mortgage and deeds. He says it is just a piece of paper and won’t make any difference and will not budge, despite several lengthy and heated conversations. He also says it’s not worth it with the fees involved with changing the mortgage. I appreciate I have some legal rights as we are married, but I am still very uncomfortable with it. Am I being unreasonable?

MoneySeeker1

Yes you are being reasonable.

Thrugelmir

Surprising that the ex hasn't requested that she be removed. Are you sure that the settlement was a clean break. That no equity at all  is due to the ex. 

gettingtheresometime

If the house is solely in your husband's name then depending on the value of his estate then it will make a difference if he hasn't made a will (even if he has that could be another can of worms!) as the rules of intestacy would apply.

MovingForwards

You are not being unreasonable.

xylophone

Has he made a will?

shannon80

No he has no will 

SameOldRoundabout

You are not being unreasonable I would also feel very insecure in your shoes. Do you want to move? Would moving and taking a joint mortgage be the most conflict free option? I’d make sure the stuff with the ex was watertight first mind! If he won’t listen to your feelings after a decade of marriage though I think I’d be considering how much he really valued or respected me. 

Doozergirl

Most people save money when they remortgage.  Have you looked at what rates are available?  It shouldn't be the thing to sway him, but it might. 

Of course you're being reasonable.  Our house is in my husband's name but we have wills, the mortgage deal was a good one and it really doesn't bother me, but I would feel differently in your situation.  

steampowered

To get you on the mortgage:
- You and your husband would have to remortgage. The lender would need to satisfy itself that you and your husband have sufficient income and credit to take on the mortgage you want.

- His ex would also have to agree to sign the documentation necessary to transfer the property into your joint names. You cannot do this without the ex's approval.

After 10 years, your husband is probably on a standard variable rate mortgage. This will mean he is getting mugged off by paying far far more to the bank than he needs to. The average standard variable rate is about 5%; the average new mortgage rate is about 2%; so your husband may well be paying literally double the interest he needs to.

If the mortgage is nearly paid off I could understand; if there are many years to go it needs to be resolved.

A good first step might be to sit down with your husband, get the mortgage statement saying how much he is paying in interest, and go onto MSE's best-buy comparison to work out exactly how much your husband is paying each month in interest vs. what he would be paying if you remortgaged. If your husband realises that he is spiffing hundreds of pounds a month up the wall that might change his attitude.

ElephantBoy57

shannon80 said:

His mortgage still has his ex’s name on it (they had legal paperwork drawn up when they separated to say she had no claim over the house)

Maybe he prefers to leave things as they are, just in case she reviews her decision. Not sure if my divorce included my SERPS pension, its a long time ago.