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Original poster

To lie to mortgage company

70 replies

siblingrevelryagain · 12/02/2015 19:34

DH and I split last year, I am in family home with our three young children (his affair).

I have always hated the house I'm in; it hasn't had any work done since we moved in 8 years ago due to having three children and me being SAHM, so is decidedly tired and shabby and the space doesn't work for us.

I have gone back to work in a school earning £9,000pa, so I want my DH to pretend we are still together so we can get a mortgage on a new home in the same town. My reasoning is that we currently have a mortgage together on this house so it's only swapping one for another, I will be paying the increased amount (£150 per month), and once we are divorced I will be stuck as I won't get a mortgage on my salary alone so this is my only chance.

There is a new development in town which would mean a shiny new house I wouldn't have to maintain as much, and more importantly would allow me to part-ex (this house would be very difficult to sell, whereas I think part-ex'ing might involve less focus on some of the cosmetic things).

So am I delusional in thinking of this as more of a 'white lie'-we're still married and we would both be as responsible in paying as when we were together. Or is this serious fraud?

OP posts:
CobbOnn · 12/02/2015 19:40

Hmm. Not sure. You can get a mortgage with a friend or relative. As long as he is willing to have his name down with you, and take equal responsibility, I don't see that it actually matters if you are together. Maybe call a free Broker- London and Country, and get some advice.

Flossyfloof · 12/02/2015 19:42

You will lose out on a part exchange. Think carefully before you go for this option.

Purplepoodle · 12/02/2015 19:43

Has dh moved out and got his own place with his own bills - they will show on his credit rating.

MrsCaptainReynolds · 12/02/2015 19:43

Get one on your own with him as guarantor?

LucilleBluth · 12/02/2015 19:44

I can't see a problem. If you are splitting reasonably amicably then go for it.

Purplepoodle · 12/02/2015 19:45

I can't say I'd willingly take a bigger mortgage with my ex. If u default he will be liable for everything

thatstoast · 12/02/2015 19:46

is this serious fraud?

No, it's nice, fluffy non-serious fraud. Fill your boots.

owlborn · 12/02/2015 19:51

I don't think it's fraud. I mean, he'll be liable for the mortgage if he goes through with it whether you're together or not. I think that’s what they care about.

Fluffyears · 12/02/2015 19:51

I got a great part ex deal we actually made £20k and did not lose out all. I actually think one of the values was a total idiot though from the questions he asked. A flat with much nicer em decor than ours has been up for sake since before we moved three years ago.

mummymeister · 12/02/2015 19:51

of course its fraud!! it like saying you can have a little bit of stealing, you cant. you will get caught out on this. they will want much more info on salaries from both of you and it will come out. usually by accident someone like his work will accidentally spill the beans. really seriously naïve if you think this is in any way a good idea. if you fraud on your mortgage you will find it almost impossible to get one in future. as for part ex ing if it was such a great thing everyone would do it wouldn't they. you will get peanuts for your house - less than its worth. they wouldn't do it if it didn't make them money. pull yourself together, sit down with your ex, decide what to do about the house to make it saleable and sell it then set up on your own. don't keep tangled in with him financially. it will all end in tears.

Hesalovernotabiter · 12/02/2015 19:52

Mortgage companies practically shine a light in your eyes and interrogate you these days, I suspect you would be found out in about five seconds if you tried to convince them you and exH were still living together. And if (when) they do, your fraud would be recorded on both of your credit scores.

I would do what a pp said and speak to an independent mortgage broker and discuss your options, you might be surprised. Good luck.

MooMaid · 12/02/2015 19:53

If your ex has credit at a different address the mortgage company will want to know why he's registered elsewhere. If you're going to lie about where he lives to get the mortgage that's application fraud and it'll go against both of you for any future credit applications

HowCanIMissYouIfYouWontGoAway · 12/02/2015 19:55

Does that not create dependence though?

You tie yourself further and you make yourself dependent on his good will.

And things may be amicable now, but if in the future he wants to use it as a stick to beat you with?

SuiGeneris · 12/02/2015 20:00

What mummymeister said.

Plus, obtaining credit by deception is a criminal offence. Do you want a criminal record?

If your soon to be ex is happy to have a joint mortgage then think about it v carefully, but be totally honest about the circumstances with any broker, lender etc. Explain you are soon to be divorced, living apart but that you are happy to enter into the mortgage together because...

And part ex is almost always a v bad deal.

MrsTawdry · 12/02/2015 20:01

they will want proof of his residence with you such as council tax bills and utilities.

JudgeRinderSays · 12/02/2015 20:02

I am wondering why your ex would agree to it?

TheGirlWhoPlayedWithFire · 12/02/2015 20:04

It's definitely fraud - mortgage fraud and if they can prove it they could prosecute.

Is it worth the risk?

JillyR2015 · 12/02/2015 20:06

You want to go prison? Then we full time workers will have to keep you. Don't dare.

Eltonjohnsflorist · 12/02/2015 20:06

I dont understand how it's fraud. You can get a joint mortgage with anyone .

Eminybob · 12/02/2015 20:11

Please don't do this. You will have to answer questions about joint outgoings, and he is running another household you need to declare those bills. If you don't they will be picked up on back statements, credit checks etc anyway.

If you lie it is fraud and could make it difficult for either of you to get a mortgage in the future.

Lenders are incredibly strict and go through all of your circumstances with a fine tooth comb these days so you will get found out in seconds.

Treeceratops · 12/02/2015 20:13

Lying about your relationship with the other applicant is fraud. If the lender doesn't see through it, the person doing the legal work for you will and they would have to report it to the lender.

Eminybob · 12/02/2015 20:14

Elton it's fraud if she lies and says he will be living in the house.

And actually a lot of lenders now do not approve mortgages unless everyone named is living in the house.

Haffdonga · 12/02/2015 20:14

Your XH would be absolutely mad, nay idiotic to do this. You might be planning to divorce him but unless you are also planning to implicate him in crime then best not to tie him to you financially for any longer than you have to.

Haffdonga · 12/02/2015 20:16

He would have to lie a lot about his intentions to live in the house, expenses etc. It's your XH who would be committing fraud.

thatstoast · 12/02/2015 20:16

I dont understand how it's fraud. You can get a joint mortgage with anyone

They don't just hand them out no questions asked, you know. It's not 2007 anymore!