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Original poster

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

139 replies

bibby2001 · 05/08/2021 21:15

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.

OP posts:
clickychicky · 05/08/2021 22:24

I don't think anyone gets a mortgage not intending to make the payments. I'd get a more secure job.

PeterPomegranate · 05/08/2021 22:25

I’m not advocating lying by the way. You should tell the truth.

Thisnamewasnttaken123 · 05/08/2021 22:26

I had a zero contract when I applied for my first mortgage, they requested a letter from my employer saying that my job was safe and I was fulfilling my hours.
Can you not do that?

lalalapurple · 05/08/2021 22:26

When I got a mortgage I was never asked for a contract- just provided payslips. I don't think you should lie but not mentioning might be reasonable.

Blackmagic5 · 05/08/2021 22:26

You have my sympathies OP. They make it so difficult for people to get on the property ladder these days, no wonder people are stuck in the renting trap for years and years.

I'm in a sticky situation myself. I had an offer accepted on a property at the beginning of last month and we are due to complete in around 4 weeks time. My employment status has changed in the mean time and I will be leaving my current job in 2 weeks. I already have another job lined up which is due to start in September but I won't be telling my broker or lender that. Broker has to report any changes so we can't even have an "off the record" chat. It would be great to seek some advice but I can't trust that my broker will report back to the lender.

I have 2 options - tell lender who will then either reassess my application which will slow the entire process down (and I doubt the vendor is willing to wait) or most likely withdraw the offer all together as most lenders prefer you to be in a new job for at least 3 months. I can wait 3 months but the property will be gone by then. I can lie, which is what I've chosen to do (yes I know it's mortgage fraud) and just pray they don't find out. The only way they will is by requesting a reference from my employer. Obviously I'm taking a big risk by doing this as soon as we exchange I will be liable for any costs even if the mortgage falls through before completion. Either option is shit and poses a big risk. Where's the incentive to be honest?!

Applying for a mortgage is stressful and the criteria is shit. Seriously, I laughed when they asked me if my job was permanent (it was at the time) but you could complete on a house and lose your job the next day. We don't have a crystal ball unfortunately and nothing in life is guaranteed. Many on here will tell you not to do it (as yes it is mortgage fraud) but nobody on here can make that decision for you. Life isn't always black and white.

Good luck whatever you decide. I hope it all works out for you!

Tinpotspectator · 05/08/2021 22:27

It isn't fair at all-this is the effect of the "gap economy". It deprives people of what others can access. I'm sorry OP. Perhaps you need to take specialist advice-there may well be some out there.

crabbingbucket · 05/08/2021 22:27

Thing is, it could all be fine. But.... if anything should go tits up and you can't pay (health, job loss, baby etc.) it would be looked in to. You'd be constantly worried and looking over your shoulder.

In reality you'd probably be fine but the risk is too great

Babyroobs · 05/08/2021 22:28

I know my friend got one on a fixed contract, she just had to time it so that she could prove she had worked there for 2 years I think and just when the contract had been renewed for another year.

MrsFin · 05/08/2021 22:31

@bibby2001

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.

All of it.
But the guarantor must actually be prepared to pay up in the event you can't pay, which brings us back to the zero hours contract....
It may be an option though.

CreamCabbages · 05/08/2021 22:33

Don’t lie and don’t doctor documents!!

It is possible to get a mortgage when on a zero hours contract, you just need to find a lender that accepts this, or wait until your employer changes your current contract.

You can’t be so desperate that you are willing to risk criminal charges.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 05/08/2021 22:46

DP's job was secure and permanent.

And then the company closed down operations overnight. He went into work in the morning to find it was shut.

You don't even have the backup of employment rights giving you any notice period, they could email you Sunday night to say they don't need you anymore and there would be nothing you could do about it.

It really, really isn't worth the risk, not for a mortgage lender considering lending tens of thousands of pounds (if not hundreds) - and certainly not for you considering committing fraud.

hardyloveit · 05/08/2021 22:48

How long have you worked there? If it's over a year and it's been steady income then look at Sainsbury's. I remember those doing it when I got mine a few years ago

nancydroo · 05/08/2021 22:49

Yeah that sounds like fraud. If you've sent the application cancel it before it's too late.

Maskless · 05/08/2021 22:51

OP, to respond to your question: I did. I was unemployed so had to lie. A friend who owned a ltd company pretended I worked for him on a fat salary and mocked up the needed documents. It all went through fine and I paid off the mortgage without a single missed or late payment.

However, my position was completely different from yours, in three ways. Firstly it was 20+ years ago and they probably check more now, second, I bought a 4 bed house and took in 3 lodgers so that covered the mortgage, and lastly I let my former home, a one bed flat, bringing in enough to cover the mortgage once more.

I don't think you would go to prison if caught. I think PP are being overdramatic.

VodselForDinner · 05/08/2021 22:53

what's the harm in sending the bank an altered contract to say that I am employed permanently and part-time?

Am I reading this right- you’re going to lie on your mortgage application, and also create a fake contract of employment?

justasking111 · 05/08/2021 22:53

Mortgage broker for sure. DS changed from self employed to limited company that messed up his mortgage prospect, broker fixed all that

Notebooksarefabulous · 05/08/2021 22:54

Consider what will happen even if you do get away with it............ and then the zero hours job goes pop.

Theres a better way round this problem, fraud isnt one of them.

Limitedhelp · 05/08/2021 22:56

Speak with another broker.
I'm on a 0 hours contract (locum/ agency for for NHS)

Halifax accepted 3 payslips from me (3 consecutive weeks).

I went through 3 different brokers to get this.

Foolsrule · 05/08/2021 22:56

Who checks with your employer? How do they get round that with GDPR? I’d say use a broker and they will direct you to mortgage providers who specialize in this kind of thing. As a rule, you’d just have to provide proof of a consistent level of earnings over a longer period. There’ll be something out there for you, no problem.

OppsUpsSide · 05/08/2021 22:57

My mum did, but it was a long time ago

SofiaMichelle · 05/08/2021 22:58

I really wouldn't lie on a mortgage application.

Conspiracy to Defraud isn't a minor offence if it went that way.

Meme69 · 05/08/2021 23:01

Use a mortgage broker - but a free one. I've used them twice and each time they have been amazing. Halifax just wanted 3 months payslips from me but I don't remember the details of what they asked.

HaveringWavering · 05/08/2021 23:01

@Foolsrule

Who checks with your employer? How do they get round that with GDPR? I’d say use a broker and they will direct you to mortgage providers who specialize in this kind of thing. As a rule, you’d just have to provide proof of a consistent level of earnings over a longer period. There’ll be something out there for you, no problem.
GDPR- you have to give them consent.
PattyPan · 05/08/2021 23:08

Do not lie! Try a local building society as they can usually be more flexible than banks.

Blankscreen · 05/08/2021 23:09

They usually want 3 payslips as evidence of earnings but they usually ask your employment status

Do not amend documents that is really serious....

Speak to a broker if its a no go maybe look at changing jobs and try again next year