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Original poster

Going off sick after mortgage offer/before exchange!

27 replies

mortgagequeries · 19/10/2021 14:01

Does anyone know if this will be a problem?

DH works for the NHS and is currently experiencing a stress-related condition, he really needs to take some time off but is worried about jeopardising our mortgage offer!

Realistically, would the lender even know he was on sick leave, would they want to know? Would they withdraw the offer?

It wouldn't affect job security or income.

OP posts:
RealDinosaurofBarnardCastle · 19/10/2021 14:02

Has the offer been made? If so it’s fine. Imo.

RealDinosaurofBarnardCastle · 19/10/2021 14:03

They check payslips so as long as you have them

Bluntness100 · 19/10/2021 14:04

Is it all finalised with pay slips provided?

CocaColaTruck1 · 19/10/2021 14:04

I assume everything has already been sent in regarding payslips etc?

CocaColaTruck1 · 19/10/2021 14:04

I assume everything has already been sent in regarding payslips etc?

Original poster
mortgagequeries · 19/10/2021 14:09

Payslips, bank statements, credit checks all done. We've received the mortgage offer and are just waiting for an exchange date, hopefully soon!

DH was trying to wait until we exchange to go off but work is really impacting his health now.

OP posts:
TheFlis12345 · 19/10/2021 14:11

DH and I both had to take Covid related pay cuts after receiving our mortgage offer and it had no impact as the bank already had our pay slips, so no way of knowing.

CocaColaTruck1 · 19/10/2021 14:12

Everything's done then op, hope he feels better soon Thanks

Fi1982 · 19/10/2021 14:22

@mortgagequeries sorry to be the bearer of (possible) bad news but there will probably be a clause in your mortgage agreement that you need to inform the lender of ANY change in circumstance in your work situation. You will be in breach of contract if you don’t let the mortgage company know and they can pull the offer. I don’t know if this is true of every single contract but it’s certainly been true of all the mortgage offers I’ve ever received (five!).

I was in the same situation as your DH and I really feel for him, but if he can just hang on a few more weeks it could make a big difference to your house move experience.

Best of luck!

Original poster
mortgagequeries · 19/10/2021 14:24

The mortgage offer does say something like "a material change in your circumstances" but as pay would stay the same and it won't affect job security I'm not sure it would be a material change...

OP posts:
Fi1982 · 19/10/2021 14:25

@mortgagequeries there’s every chance the lender won’t check, but Virgin Money rang my workplace for confirmation of my work situation when I was on mat leave, which is why I’m urging caution.

Original poster
mortgagequeries · 19/10/2021 14:26

[quote Fi1982]@mortgagequeries there’s every chance the lender won’t check, but Virgin Money rang my workplace for confirmation of my work situation when I was on mat leave, which is why I’m urging caution.[/quote]
Was that after they made the mortgage offer?

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 19/10/2021 14:26

I think if he’s off short term it’s fine, but if this is long term which it sounds like it could be I’d both think carefully about moving.

Fi1982 · 19/10/2021 14:26

@mortgagequeries if your DH goes on sick leave then the mortgage company may feel his income isn’t as reliable as initially stated in your application. Sorry I know it’s a horrible situation I just wanted to warn you, I looked it all up when I was in exactly the same situation and read plenty of advice online telling me not to do it ☹️

Fi1982 · 19/10/2021 14:27

@mortgagequeries no it was at point of offer but they can check again at any point. It’s not likely that they will but I read stories of it on MSE for example.

Fi1982 · 19/10/2021 14:29

@mortgagequeries the reality is you can take the advice of strangers online, but if it turns out to be incorrect then the mortgage lender isn’t going to take that as a valid excuse 😕 the best thing you can do is ring them directly, you don’t have to give your details, maybe just make an anonymous enquiry?

SandysMam · 19/10/2021 14:31

Can he just have week off self certified with a really bad “sickness bug” enough to give him some breathing space but not a huge deal then go back until the mortgage goes through? Just say it has totally wiped him out? Use that week to completely rest up and just focus on the end goal?

Fi1982 · 19/10/2021 14:32

⬆️ That’s a good idea!

Original poster
mortgagequeries · 19/10/2021 14:41

@Bluntness100

I think if he’s off short term it’s fine, but if this is long term which it sounds like it could be I’d both think carefully about moving.
He's basically developed an autoimmune condition that is triggered/worsened by stress, but once it's well controlled most people live with it and can work fine. So it's long term but not completely disabling. It just at the moment it isn't under control at all and the stress is making it worse. There are lots of different treatments they need to try to find the right one. We just think if he can take a month or two off, completely de-stress and find a treatment to get it under control, he will be able to continue working fine. It's just the longer it is out of control the harder it's going to be to recover iyswim.

Just taking a week off and self certifying would definitely be an option.

OP posts:
Londongent · 19/10/2021 14:44

How much time would he take off? Will he still be receiving his full time salary? If so, I can't see this being an issue at all

blacklilypad · 19/10/2021 15:30

Technically, he would have to tell them if he was sign off sick. Not for a short period, a week or so. But if he needs 1+ month(s) then he would have to inform them. They may withdraw the offer or they may be fine with it. There is no way to know without talking to the lender as each case is different.

If you don't inform them it is mortgage fraud which could potentially result in you being blacklisted and, in very extreme cases, prison. Although prison is realistically only for very large mortgage fraud cases.

In reality, it is very unlikely that they would find out but lenders do do random checks before exchange (just before releasing money). This can simply be payslips or calling employer. If his payslip said sick pay then that would flag the omission.

It's a risk you would have to decide if it was worth it. It would be better if he could hold off but if he is too ill then imo his health is more important than a house. I would get him signed off sick and tell the lender, preferably with a letter from his doctor explaining his condition and that he will be able to work full time once his medication is sorted.

Original poster
mortgagequeries · 19/10/2021 15:58

@Londongent

How much time would he take off? Will he still be receiving his full time salary? If so, I can't see this being an issue at all
A month, maybe 2. Full time salary for 6 months I think.
OP posts:
cluecu · 20/10/2021 07:34

My friend handed in her notice to accept a new role just before mortgage offer came through. She had thought as long as she was still in same role for the process it didn't matter (long notice period). It was fine and mortgage company didn't do any last minute checks (and if they had she did technically still work in same role just in notice period) however the nerves and stress of the situation were not nice for her.

Just something to bear in mind in terms of stress although I'm not sure what I'd do in your DH situation as it sounds like he's going through a tough time Flowers

Londongent · 20/10/2021 08:21

Unless there is a clause that states you need to tell the mortgage company about sick leave, long term sick then I believe you will be fine

Westfacing · 20/10/2021 08:28

Seventeen years ago, on day of exchange, and day of my divorce being final, I went into the office and was made redundant!

I didn't tell the building society and all went through.

I hope it all goes well for you and your husband's health.

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