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Original poster

How easy is it to buy a house on my own (nothing to do with DH)?

30 replies

BlindedByTheWork · 15/11/2020 15:33

We are currently renting. DH has a poor credit history and due to lockdown his job isn’t secure so he may lose it over the next few months.

I have an excellent credit history and a secure salary high enough to buy a small house.

However as we’re married, it is apparently impossible for me to buy a house in solely my name, using my salary, and it seems that banks do not like issuing mortgages to just one spouse and leaving the other spouse off the paperwork.

Can it be done? How?

OP posts:
MinnieMountain · 15/11/2020 15:36

I don’t know but maybe a mortgage broker could help.

BarryWhiteIsMyBrother · 15/11/2020 15:36

I do believe the mortgage needs to be in both your names. But I can't see why they would need to credit check your spouse given there are a lot of couples who buy together where one doesn't work. Your best bet is to ask an independent mortgage broker. Happy to recommend someone if you would like to PM me.

namechange202086 · 15/11/2020 15:40

I've just had a mortgage offer in my name only. It was with Nationwide.

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SausagePourHomme · 15/11/2020 15:41

It is tricky as he will be living in it and therefore have an interest in the house. If the bank then need to sell the house if you didn't keep up repayments it would be an issue for them to get him out. If you really want to do this you need legal advice. Have you thought about buying a buy to let instead?

Mactaylorssecretwife · 15/11/2020 15:46

I speak as a mortgage broker and it is possible to buy in your sole name. You would need to meet all the affordability criteria in your own right and some lenders have more flexibility than others so often its just a case of finding the right one.

user1471462428 · 15/11/2020 15:50

It’s absolutely fine to buy by yourself. He will have to sign to say he will move out on completion but that’s only when you come to sell. The mortgage has never been a problem for me. They didn’t even bring him up last time.

TheTeenageYears · 15/11/2020 16:42

Is it just a case of buying in your name alone is the only option due to DH's credit rating but happy for the house to be a joint asset, as it will be seen as if you were to divorce?

MonkeyBidness · 15/11/2020 16:44

It is completely possible. I have bought both a btl and a second home in my sole name as my husband has his own properties and is mortgaged enough already. There was no issue at all.

Xyzzzzz · 15/11/2020 16:47

It depends. Speak to a mortgage broker. They’ll be able to help more

FredtheFerret · 15/11/2020 16:50

This is interesting. I am sole owner of our house as DH was self employed and when we moved in together I bought the house on a mortgage in my own name, partly with the proceeds of my previous house sale.

We have since married (been here 20 years now) and I've done nothing about changing the names over. Should I have done? I'm about 4 years away from paying off the mortgage entirely and suspect that the mortgage company will simply use it as an excuse to charge me a large 'admin' fee to change my name to my married one.

AlwaysLatte · 15/11/2020 17:01

Granted it wasn't a mortgage, but I bought a house recently with my husband but with 75%/25% ownership with me having the main part (to do with tax). Could you do something like that so it's mostly in your name?

Tinkywinkydinkydoo · 15/11/2020 17:06

My sister had this with her husband, it was in his name only but she had to sign something saying that if the house were to be repossessed she would leave or something along those lines but they got a mortgage easily.

Mactaylorssecretwife · 15/11/2020 18:16

@FredtheFerret

This is interesting. I am sole owner of our house as DH was self employed and when we moved in together I bought the house on a mortgage in my own name, partly with the proceeds of my previous house sale.

We have since married (been here 20 years now) and I've done nothing about changing the names over. Should I have done? I'm about 4 years away from paying off the mortgage entirely and suspect that the mortgage company will simply use it as an excuse to charge me a large 'admin' fee to change my name to my married one.

There would likely be admin fees to change it over and solicitors fees too to add him onto the deeds unless you bought as sole mortgage joint proprietor. Your solicitor would be best places to advise if it is necessary from an inheritance/estate point of view.
Original poster
BlindedByTheWork · 15/11/2020 18:29

@TheTeenageYears

Is it just a case of buying in your name alone is the only option due to DH's credit rating but happy for the house to be a joint asset, as it will be seen as if you were to divorce?
Thanks so much for all the posts, this is very encouraging to hear that it can be done. I will contact a mortgage broker and see what they say.

Yes @TheTeenageYears absolutely no issue with it being a joint asset, we have shared everything from day one. Some years he earns more, currently I do, it all goes into one pot.

OP posts:
binkyblinky · 15/11/2020 19:11

It a possible. Exactly the same for me, hubby has joust bought the house as he has excellent credit. I don't, due to my ex
Leaving me in a financial mess. It's possible
Op x

ColonelNobbyNobbs · 15/11/2020 22:02

Hello I am completing on a house purchase tomorrow (I hope!) and there was no issue with me taking out a sole mortgage despite being married - was just all assessed on my income etc. Husband had to sign a form is all. With HSBC.

ElaineMarieBenes · 15/11/2020 22:25

Our house was bought in my name only - mortgage with nationwide. DH had to sign a form giving nationwide priority should default occur. Process was straightforward.

EasilyDepleted · 15/11/2020 22:28

I did it as I had a full time job and DH had just gone self-employed, it was fine.

CoffeeTeaCoffee · 15/11/2020 22:29

Like other posters have said it is completely possible. We have just completed on a purchase and the back didn't ask about my husband tbh. Once I said the mortgage was in my name all the affordability questions etc were about me.

Original poster
BlindedByTheWork · 16/11/2020 00:35

This is so good to hear, thank you all.

Out of interest, @ColonelNobbyNobbs, @ElaineMarieBenes, @CoffeeTeaCoffee, @EasilyDepleted and others, was your husband named on the deeds even though he wasn’t on the mortgage?

OP posts:
EasilyDepleted · 16/11/2020 06:24

No, he wasn't, I was told that wasn't allowed.

letsnotscaretheneighbours · 16/11/2020 06:26

Relatively easy actually, but you will need to speak with a broker because it is a 'quirk' as they will put it.

speakout · 16/11/2020 06:51

Quite a depressing thread.
What about all the "for better or worse".
I wonder what advice would be given here if a man was asking

MonkeyBidness · 16/11/2020 07:03

Husband not on deeds - I didn’t even try - as PP says a form had to be signed so that if the house gets repossessed he has no right to stay.

For us, we are in it for better for worse! Our marriage isn’t weak because my credit was strong.. buying in one name was more practical.

All our assets are joint assets. I just pay for some stuff and he pays for other stuff. Applies to houses / sofas / food shops / sandwiches on days out.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 16/11/2020 07:16

We've just transferred some joint property into my sole name. Causing some slight issues as alll standard paperwork for it is for divorce, the mortgage bit was relatively easy.

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