Absolutely desperate: anyone here ever lied on their mortgage application?

[bibby2001]

I have basically been told that neither of my jobs will be conisdered as income because one is zero hours and the other is fixed term.

I make probably around 26,500 a year, so plenty for a mortgage.

The zero hours contract alone makes up 16,000 of that, so what's the harm in sending the bank an altered contract to say that I am employed permanently and part-time? I am consistently working these hours and there is no risk of them disappearing.

I have started the process of pleading with my employer to change my zero hours to a proper contract but I'm unsure of how fruitful this will be.

You should definitely not do that - it is fraud .

They'll ask your employer for a financial reference and find out the truth.

"Depending on the nature of the lies you’ve told on your application, a further consequence is criminal prosecution. Providing false information on a mortgage application is classed as mortgage fraud, and if you’re found guilty of this, it’s punishable under UK law.

What penalty could I face?
In a worst case scenario, the penalty for lying on a mortgage application in the UK is up to 10 years in prison. That’s the maximum sentence for serious mortgage fraud, but opportunistic mortgage fraud by an individual is more likely to result in a fine or a suspended sentence.

The exact penalty you’d face would depend on the circumstances of the mortgage fraud"

Depends how comfortable you are with being a criminal I guess

Mortgage fraud, so a fine, criminal record, no idea if you can go to prison for it but it’d be a roof over your head because they’d presumably repossess the house.

Try a mortgage broker? Do not lie.

Is the mortgage company actually asking for a copy of your contract?

I’ve only ever been able to supply payslips, 3 or 6 months depending on the lander.

If you’ve applied to someone who wants to see a contract, withdraw your application, speak to a broker and reapply with someone who will take 3 months of payslips as proof of income

UK mortgage advice forum group on Facebook might help, you could try asking there.

For ideas other than lying I mean.

Its not a white lie - it is a very serious criminal offence. Don't risk it.

plenty did before 2007.
banks check a lot more these days and can sometimes do additional checks that can feel quite intrusive.

your best bet is to speak to a specialised mortgage broker.

Absolutely not. If you get found out which is likely, then you could be blacklisted.

I think that’s called fraud.

So you have a zero hours contract. What happens if your work dwindles to zero hours?
And also a fixed term contract. What if it isn't renewed?

The rules are there for a reason, but all lenders have different appetites for risk so shop around, or use an advisor.

I wouldn't say £26k a year is "plenty for a mortgage" though. How much is the house you want to buy? And how much mortgage are you asking for?

Can you get a guarantor? That would help.

Do this and there is a reasonable chance and that you will be caught and then you'll never obtain a mortgage in the UK ever again, or any finance or any kind, possibly even insurance products. This is aside from the potential of police involvement, as the former scenarios were erring towards best case outcomes. Worst case is prison.

So...just don't.

Best case scenario is they check with your employer and decline your case.
Worst case is prison and a criminal record. Don’t do it.

Try a mortgate broker who will accept people with your employment status. Lying is not going to pay off, they will definitely check.

Yeah this doesn’t end well.

I may have omitted to mention a very early pregnancy when they asked about future changes in circumstances but I had plausible deniability there. I’m not saying people don’t stretch the truth but producing a fraudulent contract is light years from that.

Op, there are some decent lenders that will accept proof of regular income in your circumstances. You will have to provide more payslips. See a broker.

Don’t do it.

They will find this out & decline your case. You’d also get flagged that a fraudulent application had been submitted that could hurt your chances elsewhere.

You’d also lose any money you’d already paid. So valuation fees, advice fees. If it gets to solicitors before it’s found out, you’ll still need to pay their fees and maybe your deposit if you’ve exchanged contracts.

Lenders can and will decline your case at the last minute if they find out you’ve not told the truth.

Speak to a broker. They will have specialist lenders (not high street banks) that may be able to help you.

How much of the mortgage can a guarantor guarantee for?
I have a very wealthy aunt who may be willing to act as a guarantor, but I'm not sure how much that will help me.

I am a contractor. No guarantee usually past the next 3 or at most 6 months. I got a mortgage through a broker. Try that.

I really don't recommend lying and I'm usually far from straight laced.

I did. She told me 0 hour contract is not gonna happen anywhere.

Try a different mortgage company and don’t mention anything about zero hours contract or fixed term. They only usually want 3 months bank statements. I got a mortgage while on a fixed term, I didn’t mention it was fixed term, they didn’t ask.

Definitely approach your employer. Are there permanent roles elsewhere? How many years could you show that kind of income? I wonder whether a lender would accept if they can see that you’ve been employed on that basis for a few years. In reality with employment rights so weak now even someone with a permanent job can be let go for no reason with a months notice.