Mortgage application at 29 week!

[whosthis]

We are FTB and found a house we really like. Started the process with First Direct. But when I started reading some online information about the almost automatic discrimination the lenders could hold against pregnant women, I started feeling really nervous.

I am 29 week, and did plan to work until I couldn't. My arrangement with my employer (full-time/perm job) is to take maternity leave just before the due date and put on the paper for 1 year but I would notify them 28 days in advance if I feel ok to be back to work. My company only offers the standard 6 weeks 90% pay, after that it would be the national standard. But we did the calculation, my husband's salary could easily make sure us be able to repay. And we apply for 5 year fixed rate as well, so low risk for increasing repayment for a long time.

What surprised me was when we were applying on phone, FD did ask if there's any long leave foreseen, e.g. parental leave. My husband was on phone and he said no - which is not a lie as he can't take any parental leave himself for his job nature. But I really didn't think nowadays the lender would put the question so straightforward...

Is it possible to say no when they ask me? I don't feel comfortable to lie. But if I say yes, they would absolutely reject our application.

I am also worried that a lot of people say that they would contact the employer to verify the employment status. Would they ask explicitly to my employer if I have maternity or any foreseeable long leave? If they ask, is that appropriate for my HR to release the personal information to a third party?

I don't want to be stressed out and have the baby affected in my tummy! But I can't help feeling so bad and don't know what to do!

Is there anyone can let me know if they would ask my employer this kind of question? Will HR provide information to them?

Thank you very much...

thetigerwhocametoteax, check this link, it might be helpful. Nationwide's rates aren't that good. There are other banks.

www.lovemoney.com/news/property-and-mortgages/mortgages/12498/how-pregnancy-and-maternity-leave-affect-your-mortgage

We've just had a mortgage approved from Yorkshire Building Society. I'm 20 weeks pregnant. They asked if there were any reasons we would have a future drop in income so we said I would be taking 1 year of mat leave. They then asked me to write a letter stating when I would be off, when I would return to work, what my salary would be on returning and what our childcare costs would be. For us, aftere childcare I still have a reasonable income so I think they were satisfied.

To be honest I'm more likely to return part time but as it's by no means decided yet I just said I'm going back full time... They didn't ask HR anything, just used my letter.

It was all fine and got approved. Maybe just consider a second application if first direct proves difficult...

Thank you, NaomiRuth, I do realize we would prepare ourselves in case of refusal from FD to go to someone else.

The downside would be the time lost.

DH and I have just secured a mortgage - 22 weeks preg now - they never asked and we never offered information. They did ask if we had children which we don't (yet) so we said no.

I had a mortgage approved at 30ish weeks with HSBC ( same group as first direct). Face to face, they knew I was pregnant! They just asked for recent pay slips, savings, income, outgoing etc and didn't seem concerned.(I am main earner). See how it goes - good luck!

It's not a question of discrimination but of funds coming in and full disclosure of your financial situation. If you are going from a high salary to barely nothing on SMP they have a right to know, before they lend you a large sum of money, that you will be able to repay them as agreed. You absolutely cannot lie - it's fraud. You may find it's fine and they are confident you can repay on your husband's only but it is important to give them the facts.