Halifax mortgage offer delays due to Universal Credit Query

p11273416

Hi all,

I am looking for some reassurance, hopefully from others who have been in a similar position.

I am a first time buyer, who is hoping to purchase a shared ownership property. I am applying for a mortgage via a mortgage broker and have passed all the relevant ID and affordability checks. I received a Decision in Principle from Halifax on 30/08/2023. Halifax came back on 11/09/2023 with a query with regards to my Universal Credits evidence (my broker insinuated that the underwriter was probably new to the role and looking for something out of nothing!). 

Mortgage broker agreed to appeal the underwriters decision and resolve the query so I submitted further evidence. Underwriters then came back a second time saying that what I had submitted "was not in the tolerance". I am really unsure of what that wording means, the only heads up my broker gave was that I need to submit a piece of evidence that does not show the full breakdown each month, but rather the exact amount that I have received over the months. I submitted this to her on 13/9 and have not heard anything from her.

I contacted Halifax myself yesterday to chase this as my broker, who had previously been really responsive, is now not responding. Halifax informed me that what I had submitted sounds like the information they would need in order to resolve their query. They also, somewhat reassured me, by saying that they could see that my broker was in the process of resolving the query, and that these things take time. I kicked myself for not asking if they had received the second piece of evidence that I had submitted, I naively assumed that the broker would have submitted this the same day I had sent it to her.

I think I am feeling disheartened because of course they have 3 bank statements and the UC August breakdown which reflect the same amount that I have received, kind of makes me think what more could they need to verify as they both match !

I emailed my broker alongside my evidence and asked "is this what you needed?", I tried to call her yesterday when I hadn't had a response, and followed up with a text when she didn't answer the phone. Still no communication from her. I am wondering now whether to contact the Estate Agent.

Has anyone else been in this position ? What evidence have you submitted to verify Universal Credit ? 

Really worried I am going to lose the house !

Jonboy_1984

Bear in mind that each time you make an mortgage application, or reply to a query from one, it gets placed into a queue and reviewed in order received.

I cannot see a public confirmation of the current review time for Halifax, but when we remortgaged last year other banks had between 5 and 8 days to reach the top of the queue quoted as their current review times on their "for intermediaries" websites the brokers use.