Stepson not being honest on mortgage application

[LeedsMum2022]

Hi all,

After some advice. My stepson is applying for a mortgage. He has a child from a previous relationship but hasn’t declared any dependents on his mortgage application as this means he won’t get funds for the property.

He does pay for the child but says it is not from his main bank account… I don’t see how that helps protect him?

I have told him that he is committing fraud. How do I make him see sense?

Why are you so involved in his finances? He’s an adult, let him get on with it.

You don't. He is a grown up. You advised him and it's his choice to commit fraud.

Let him get on with it - who cares if he can afford it. Even if he can’t it’s between him and the bank and I seriously doubt they will care. People don’t suddenly declare a dependant if they have a child after the application.

People don’t have to declare children afterwards, it’s not a main factor in credit scoring mortgage

I know plenty to pay school fees in cash to hide it from mortgage application.

Why are you so bothered?

The bank want to know how many dependents live with him. I have 2 children but one lives with their dad. The bank noted that I have one dependent.

Mind your own business 🙄

Because he’s young and being naive. I’m trying to give guidance although don’t know why as his dad says leave him to it!

His better off lying, let’s face it.
shit, but true!

His dad is right.

As long as he pays for his child you should leave him to it.

Why, though? What do you think will happen?

He may the house or be charged with fraud is what I’m trying to get him to consider. In one ear and out of the other. Not sure why I bother!

Is he asking you to be a guarantor for the mortgage ? Are you leading him money for the deposit? If yes to either then you need to refuse to do either

If no then all you can do is tell him he's making a mistake.
I dont get all the "he's an adult" comments regardless of how old you always want the best for those you care about.

He's old enough to get a mortgage and have a child.

You've said it once. I would leave it at that. It's his business.

Tbh if he can afford rent he can probably afford a mortgage.

Then don't. It's none of your business, he doesn't want your advice and his father doesn't think you should give it, neither does MN. So why persist.

This is very, very unlikely, unless someone in the know reports him…

Even then, mortgage companies have bigger issues to contend with.

It really isn't a big deal. If he's applying for a mortgage they will want to see all his financial information, and not just his 'main bank account'. I know somebody who did the exact same thing as their child support was a casual agreement i.e. no CMS; he just withdraws the cash monthly. It was never queried on the mortgage application but was just added into his monthly average spend without further explanation being required.

It may well get picked up on the bank statements depending what outgoings and income is declared. Any anomalies, the lender will ask for statements from any other accounts or details of regular payments made. It's all part of the affordability checks. If the lender's not happy, they will ask for further info or just turn down the application. The problem would be if he applied with another lender, they would want to know why he had been refused a previous application.

@Iliveinanoodie Has hit the nail on the head, if the Bank Statements indicate a child, they will ask for clarification. If he is declined as the case is very close, and applies elsewhere, then the fraud is more severe. This could result him being on a CIFAS register, so any time he applies for credit, the lender is alerted to previous in accuracies on his application.

In response to your question, his willingness to commit fraud has nothing to do with you, so let him crack on.

You've told him once, and if he gets away with it, then great and he can get a mortgage if he doesn't get away with it, then he's much more likely to ask for your advice next time, given that you warned him. If you "nag him" (tell him twice) then he will not ask you for advice... He's old enough to have a child, he's old enough to read terms and conditions.

my husband never mentioned his child on our mortgage application ! it never came up and the monthly payment to his ex was never flagged by lender ! I was also heavily pregnant at time of application and didn't mention that either!

Obviously they went through our statements and income etc and decided we could afford the repayments etc

Given that someone could give birth a week after they move into their newly mortgaged home and not have to tell their mortgage provider, I'd say its pretty much irrelevant if he pays child support.

Can he afford the mortgage? Yes.

So butt out.

Having a dependant (or not) isn’t a major factor in whether someone is accepted for a mortgage or not.
Many, many people pay certain bills in cash so it doesn’t affect a mortgage application.
As people upthread have said, you can also give birth a week after taking out a mortgage and not have to declare it.
It’s his risk to take.