to think we will fail referencing for rent due to maternity?

[navteexo]

Hi

The lettings agent has been talking to my husband regarding proof of income etc. He initially asked husband to send through scans of wage slips etc so he could do the affordability check (before putting an offer to landlady) if offer was accepted, then referencing would start etc

I am currently on maternity leave and the agent knew this hence why he has not been asking me for anything.

We put a deposit down to secure the property, and take it off the market.
He sends us through a form for referencing, where it asks for all of husbands details, and then a section for mine. I asked the agent if i was required to put in my details (salary, employment etc) as I am on maternity, and husband's wage alone meets the threshold..

He replied with "erm.. yeah hopefully should pass" .. Im worried as we have put down a deposit now, and i might ruin our chances. We lose the money if we fail the checks.

If husband's alone meets the requirement, is it likely that we will fail it because im on SMP?

its £995 pcm, husband earns £34, 000 (we were told he needs to earn £29, 800) to afford it

[navteexo]

was confident until estate agent started asking me how much I earn, and then asked me if I am on full pay, when I said no..he went quiet and said hopefully we pass and that it should be ok..

thats why im asking

thanks

[mindutopia]

I think it's normal to base these things on your usual salary. So I would tell them what you normally earn and answer all those questions as if you are employed (you are, you're just on mat leave). Just make a note to say you are on mat leave until approximately x date.

[navteexo]

@mindutopia thank you for your reply! Yes i will email all that over to them tomorrow..thank you

[TowelHoarder]

I think you base it on your usual salary and submit a letter from your employer confirming your usual salary. Remember that pregnancy and maternity is protected under the Equality Act 2010 so it could be discrimination if they base it on your maternity pay (I don’t know that for sure but worth looking into)