Santander mortgages for university staff

[MrsJervis]

A poster in the branch of Santander at the university where I work advertises 'preferential mortgage rates for university staff.' I've just had an offer accepted on a house but I'm not going to be on campus for the next couple of weeks. Is it worth waiting until I'm back on campus to find out about these 'preferential rates' or should I just call in to my local branch about an hour away from campus to arrange a regular mortgage (Santander seems to have the best deals for us). Is there anyone out there who works at a university who has explored these apparently exclusive deals?

[JT05]

Not really answering the question, but DS and DIL had a terrible time arranging a mortgage with Santander! They transposed all the information wrongly, recording DILs monthly salary as her annual salary . So they were refused the mortgage!
The irony of it was that DIL had worked previously for Santander in their Mortgage department!
They are now with Lloyds. I'd chech out the on line complaints against Santandet, makes interesting reading.

[wowfudge]

I've just googled 'Santander preferential mortgage rates for university staff' and the first hit was a pdf with various offers. On mortgages they'll pay the valuation fee and the legal fees for arranging the mortgage or give you £250 cash back after completion. It says there are also preferential rates available in branch so why don't you ring the campus branch?

[GreyBird84]

I would love to know the answer to this as we may remortgage in near future to release cash for renovation & I also work at a university that has a branch in the SU with staff rates.

But l have also heard terrible stories. They gave me brother a mortgage but refused him a current account !

I would definately try them, could you even ring to see instead of going to branch to check if worthwhile?

[MrsJervis]

Thanks, all. I'll phone the central switchboard on Tuesday and see whether they can put me through to the university branch (no direct number listed on the website, as far as I can tell.

[BravingSpring]

I'm remortgaging with Santander at the moment, and taking my stbxh off the mortgage/deeds, and they've been brilliant, their legal people Enact are very easy to deal with and efficient.

[MrsJervis]

Good to know BravingSpring - thanks.

[MrsJervis]

Just popping back here to say that Santander did a great job - mortgage offer came back quickly and the whole process was v. efficient. Worked out cheaper for us not to take the 'university staff' deals, though.