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NatWest are playing dirty ...Help me Martin!

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Apologies for the long-winded life story. I need advice; I'm hoping I don't have to get the Ombudsman involved. Bear with...

In Jan 2019 ex hubby and I separated and I asked him to leave (20 years of debt, lying, yada yada yada). Since then I've been paying all the (joint) mortgage and bills etc on our house. I've had a battle getting a mortgage on my own, but my broker finally sorted it and in February of this year I had a mortgage offer from NatWest. My current mortgage - which ex hubby is still on - is also with NatWest. It should have been simple, in-house, and it all seemed to be going ok, even with the coronavirus, and paperwork was getting done.

Four weeks ago a bizarre email from the conveyancing firm (Enact) that NatWest brought in had me in a muddle, so I forwarded it to my broker. It advised that I needed to contact my broker because NatWest was aware I already had a product with them (this was ALL filled in on the application form, nothing missed, not misled). My broker made enquiries...

NatWest has advised that they do not accept mortgage applications through brokers in situations like mine - i.e. taking ex off the mortgage and getting new mortgage solely in my name. I am at my wits' end - they will not answer my calls, they are trying to avoid my broker, and they insist I have to start the whole process over again.

However, there are points on which they have 'fouled':
1. they already OFFERED me the mortgage, and had already started the paperwork they needed, so why didn't they turn me down at the first stage? Why let it get so far THEN pull the plug?
2. they have ALREADY PROCESSED AND COMPLETED on THREE other mortgage arrangements like this with my broker. Same scenario, same lender, same arrangement. In fact, one of those mortgages was for one of my close friends - she and her husband parted company, she stayed in the house, they initially had a joint mortgage with NatWest, and NatWest offered, processed and completed on a new mortgage for her, with ex husband taken off the deeds etc. She now has a new mortgage solely in her name, with the same lender, same property etc.

My broker is following the chain of command that she must follow to try and get this corrected, and my mortgage application reinstated and sorted asap. But it's been four weeks now, and NatWest appears to be closing rank. I am aware that our next course of action is to raise an official complaint.

I am depressed and exhausted - I've got two little kids to look after, I work in a school so I AM working despite the coronavirus. My salary is pathetic. The divorce/solicitor's bills are crippling me. My ex husband has caused all manner of problems despite the financial agreement. In order to keep this roof over my kids' heads I MUST get the mortgage taken over as soon as possible. If I start the process all over again there is a chance the tightened affordability calculations will penalise me and I will NOT get a mortgage. (I'm already claiming UC). I need to minimise stress now because I have been very ill through all of this. I need my mortgage, so that I can meet the arrangement agreed through the divorce settlement, and so that can be tied up.  The divorce will not be finalised until THIS is. And selling up and moving house is NOT an option (youngest son has special needs). Right now I can't eat and I can't sleep.

My broker has told me that in 20 years of working she has never come across something like this - she says my case is 'special'! Someone at NatWest has cocked up allowing the other mortgages to go through if indeed it is 'policy' to refuse mortgage applications in circumstances like mine through a broker. My broker has argued that it will be of no detriment to them if they put my mortgage through as planned - she has even advised she will forgo the fee they would have paid her if that is the sticking point.

I need your help - and if Martin Lewis fancies a tricky challenge I'd be massively relieved if he could help me. I don't know how much more I can take.

Thanks!

Comments

  • Can you not try to get a mortgage with another company? I know it's a PITA. 
    Are you divorced yet? Sometimes if the divorce isn't finalised it can be a bit more complex. If the divorce is finalised i thought it was as simple as removing from deeds etc/admin fee and checking your affordability. 
    Sounds like they are JUST being awkward!
  • Hi Nix,
    Divorce isn't through yet - courts closed due to coronavirus, I'm still waiting for my decree nisi!
    If I apply for a new mortgage elsewhere (because I will NOT use NatWest if they dump this) there is a chance I won't get a mortgage - because of my low income and the tightened rules with affordability calculators - despite me still earning, still paying, no mortgage holiday and no debts whatsoever!
    They ARE just being awkward, there is no reason to do this, but we are struggling to get it resolved.  :s
  • My divorce was quick due to Covid, the courts HAVE been open throughout. I chased mine and 4 weeks from Nisi to absolut. Contact the courts, mine was through Liverpool. I feel for you, I had the same !!!!!!. 
    One issue is while you are still married, until the financials are sorted I think you'll struggle as he could argue for a % of the house :( 

  • Oh Nix!
    My solicitor says she has been having difficulty getting hold of anyone! My divorce paperwork went in, in March (BEFORE lockdown), and we've heard NOTHING since! I'm down South - I guess they were understaffed. Still no news on the nisi. sigh.
    He can't argue for a % of the house - we went to mediation (cost me a fortune), and he eventually agreed that because his pension pot is a lot fatter than the value of the house I'd keep the house and I'd leave his pension alone. I don't want to be tied to him financially in any way whatsoever, he's a liability. And I have to give him £20,000 so he has some pocket money. This has all been agreed with the solicitors. So if I can't get the mortgage sorted I'm stuck with that *&$%*%$&! He wants to buy elsewhere - which he cannot do whilst still on THIS mortgage! So we're all screwed!
  • Oh jeez :( I'm sorry, it's just what I was told. 
    I didn't want the pension either but when it went to court, they made my solicitors make changes for some of the pension. They look at what is reasonable and deserving so they might not agree with your agreement :( it is all down to the court. 
    I had my Nisi in Nov I think and got Absolut in May. Took 2 years in total but Covid made mine go much quicker. If you have the reference number - call them, they were really helpful with me - the court that is. 
    Good luck - hopefully someone else here can help ! Let us know.... I understand why you don't want anything linked to your ex. 
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