Sole Name Mortgage Advice for a Married Applicant in London

Are you married but wanting a sole name mortgage?

For the most part, married applicants will choose to take out a joint mortgage, rather than one half of the couple taking out a sole name mortgage. The reason for this is because in a lot of cases, utilising two salaries together will allow for you to qualify for larger mortgages, which can be used for larger or more expensive property.

That being said, you may find that there are situations where one salary is more than enough to justify the amount you’re looking to borrow. There may also be other reasons as to why one applicant doesn’t want to go on the application.

When is a sole name mortgage worthwhile?

Previous credit problems

A common occurrence that we find pops up during these circumstances, is that one applicant has a previous credit problem, such as bankruptcy or a CCJ. This can unfortunately stop some applicants getting a mortgage. In these cases, taking out a sole name mortgage could be necessary to purchase a home, though this would mean that the spouse or partner would not be connected financially.

It is important to note that creating a financial association with your partner is risky, as if they handle their finances poorly, your credit score could be affected.

Borrowing capacity

Another example of where it may be beneficial to make a sole name mortgage application might be when one person is out of work. Generally speaking, the maximum amount a couple will be allowed to take out (borrowing capacity) is lower than it would be if the working applicant happened to take out the mortgage in their sole name.

Age can also become a factor of the calculation, especially if one of the applicants is over the age of 50. An example of this, is let’s say you are a first-time buyer in London who is planning to buy with a younger partner.

If your partner is earning a substantial amount, being tied to someone who is a bit older may limit the amount they could earn, thus leading them to apply in their own name.

Tax implications

You may find that there are stamp duty or other tax implications which could lead to an applicant having the preference to apply on their own.

How can a mortgage broker in London help?

Some lenders may have stricter criteria when it comes to married applicants having to apply for mortgages in joint names. The reason for this is because they are very likely to be concerned that this could in some way affect their future security, especially if the couple were to ever unfortunately split up.

Luckily not all lenders share this view, as it is a little prejudicial. If you would like to discuss your circumstances and get the ball rolling on your mortgage, please get in touch. Our experienced mortgage advice team are here to help all customers, whether you be moving house in London or a first time buyer in London, 7 days a week. 

Date Last Edited: December 12, 2022