Not paying mortgage and out of the country

mrsmsport

Here’s a Q. M1 has a mortgage on a property. Gets married, spouse not added to mortgage. Then moves away to Middle East to earn ££££££. During covid decides to stop paying mortgage as it’s uninhabited as property is leaking from roof v bad. Signed the house over by power of attorney to an estate agent to sell it using only email address. Estate agent listed but didn’t sell and now wants money for another EPC as state of house is deteriorating. So that’s not paid and house isn’t up for sale. 

What’s the mortgage company gonna do? So far ~ nothing! What’s gonna happen? Owners intend to never set foot in UK again 

joep2

If the spouse is not on mortgage, they can register their "home rights" on Land Registry. This will stop the house being sold without their permission. 

peteuk

Im no legal/mortgage expert but surely its a moot question. 

The person who took out the mortgage is liable for it until the house is sold.

If the property is in disrepair then the value is likely to depreciate.

Mortgage lender at some point will take legal action at some point.   Repossession and sale may lead to a lower offer and so again the person on the mortgage is liable for the difference. 

Don’t forgot all action (eviction/repossession) was suspended during Covid lockdown for a period.