First time buyer concern

Soudle_Noop

Hi all, I am looking to buy my first home in the next few years. I am saving for a deposit so nothing will happen imminently. Around 13 years ago I moved in with a partner and I vaguely recollect his parents talking about putting my name on the mortgage. I don't remember signing anything but it's possible that I did and don't remember. I am certain I wouldn't have contributed anything more than monthly payments for living there. We split and I assume if my name was on there it would have been removed but again I have no recollection of any paperwork. I am planning on making contact to ask about all of this.

I am wondering whether having my name added to this previous mortgage could affect my first time buying status, especially as I am hoping to use the 25% bonus on a LISA. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

theartfullodger

Spend £3 with gov.uk land registry and see what deeds say.  If no name for you there you should be ok.

Soudle_Noop

Thank you. I have done that and it has details of the current owner and no details of previous owners/my name. I'm thinking this means I should be fine?

user1977

theartfullodger said:

Spend £3 with gov.uk land registry and see what deeds say.  If no name for you there you should be ok.

That only means they're not currently the owner - the question is whether they used to be an owner, which the current Land Registry isn't going to tell you.

Soudle_Noop

user1977 said:

theartfullodger said:

Spend £3 with gov.uk land registry and see what deeds say.  If no name for you there you should be ok.

That only means they're not currently the owner - the question is whether they used to be an owner, which the current Land Registry isn't going to tell you.

Thank you. Is there another way I can find this information for myself?

user1977

Soudle_Noop said:

user1977 said:

theartfullodger said:

Spend £3 with gov.uk land registry and see what deeds say.  If no name for you there you should be ok.

That only means they're not currently the owner - the question is whether they used to be an owner, which the current Land Registry isn't going to tell you.

Thank you. Is there another way I can find this information for myself?

Who are you "planning on making contact" with? If you "don't remember signing anything" do you mean you're pretty certain you didn't sign anything about mortgages or ownership? It seems odd you can't remember whether you jointly owned the property or were just staying in your partner's place!

When you say you "moved in with a partner", did you buy the property with them or did they already own it? In either event (more likely if you bought together) there would have been an SDLT return submitted, so HMRC would have a record of that.

I would guess your credit record may have details of any mortgage (not sure how far back they go).

Soudle_Noop

My ex partner's parents owned the house, they bought a new place and we moved in to their old house. They continued to own the house but there was talk of adding our names to the mortgage, it is possible that this was done but for many reasons I don't remember if anything was signed. We definitely didn't involve any other parties (e.g. solicitor).

I can try to make contact with my ex partner's parents but it has been many years since we last spoke. I will see if there are enquiries I can make with HMRC. Thank you.

user1977

Soudle_Noop said:

My ex partner's parents owned the house, they bought a new place and we moved in to their old house. They continued to own the house but there was talk of adding our names to the mortgage, it is possible that this was done but for many reasons I don't remember if anything was signed. We definitely didn't involve any other parties (e.g. solicitor).

Well it wouldn't have happened merely by you talking about it with the in-laws. There would have been solicitors and the mortgage lenders involved.

[Deleted User]

If you didn't sign anything you should be fine. The bank won't just add random names to a mortgage, there would have been checks and paperwork to sign.