Questions asked about WLI when renewing Mortgage

[maddiemookins16mum]

Has anyone come up against questions or concerns when applying for or renewing their mortgage? Might sound an odd question but I saw an article recently saying Mortgage Lenders are lowering the amounts they’ll lend if they see large payments to WLI companies each month on bank statements.

I used my credit card or paypal for this reaaon, so no questions were asked. (Have just remortgaged).

No different to any other large repayment affecting disposable income I suspect.

If it's this article:

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jan/15/regular-spending-on-weight-loss-drugs-could-affect-size-of-mortgage-you-can-get

It's all a bit something and nothing. Lots of speculation, lots of ifs and maybes, with some experts being quoted who are saying they haven't come across it as an issue yet, or that it wouldn't be an issue.

I find it all a bit paternalistic. I can make responsible decisions about my own finances, and paying from discretionary spending on WLI is a reasonable decision. If it ever got to a choice of pay for WLI or pay the mortgage, then I would, sadly, stop spending on WLI and pay the mortgage. As I would with any other discretionary spend, if I was in that position.

But you are sensible. So many in this country are not and will get into debt for WLI, holidays, cars etc and forgo paying mortgage.

It is very odd that the story and the headline focus on WLI. Really all that seems to be the case is that any regular discretionary spending is likely to impact the mortgage lenders' assessment of how much you can afford to borrow. The only point of interest in relation to WLI is that it is a relatively new and significant monthly spending habit. Other than that, its just the same as a regular gym subscription or hair appointment or whatever.

When I first saw the thread title, and the news story, I thought the article was going to make some point about WLI spending in particular - for example, I wondered whether lenders were correlating this spending habit with health outcomes or early death, etc.

It almost feels clickbaity on the guardian's part - linking a fairly generic mortgage news item to words that currently trigger heightened interest.

Exactly that, @MyThreeWords . That discretionary spending may be considered when looking at mortgage affordability is not exactly an attention grabbing headline of interest! And it's not news either, it's the same as it ever was.

This. If you want/need to borrow more than they are offering then just cut out all optional and discretionary spending for a few months prior to applying for a mortgage.

Once you've got your mortgage you can spend on whatever you want. Just need some patience sometimes.

Maybe they’ve honed in on it because WLI is being bought by people who didn’t spend highly on other items and are suddenly having a large chunk coming out. And it will be a permanent outgoing for many whereas other payments might be one offs or have an end date.

Exactly this. I am a debt advisor and I regular see people getting into debt due to large, regular subscriptions that they 'cannot' give up. Creditors will routinely ask for anything like this to be explained, as it effects affordability. Why should this be any different?

It is quite tedious, the amount of "scare story" articles like this that pop up, although it's quite fascinating to see the different angles taken each time!

It does make sense. The £300 a month I'm paying for mj is more than some people's car loans and they've always been taken into account.

The thing is that you can't stop paying your car loan, whereas even WLI on a subscription model can be cancelled from one month to the next, if necessary. You aren't tied in, in the way you would be for a loan. A loan repayment is not a discretionary spend.

The cost of WLI is also at least partly offset for lots of people by spending less on food and alcohol.

It can be but most will be on it for life.

Can you link to the evidence od how many staying on for life? What is the percentage the evidence shows?

I doubt many would jeaporidise their mortgage offer due to spending on wli.

You underestimate what a lot of the population are like. This forum isn’t representative.
No evidence link, just real life experiences.

Yeah I agree with this tbh

On here it’s all sensible use, going to the gym with it, changing eating habits etc.

In real life, simply not the case. Skinny by any means necessary, as fast as possible.

And my real life experience is different so I guess anecdotal doesn’t work.

Thanks for your comments. I have 6lb to go to reach my target of 10 stone (I was 13 stone 12 last May). I have no intention of staying on it for life, I used it as a springboard to losing weight and have also changed my diet and go to gym (something I would never have done as a size 18/20 5ft 4 inch 61 year old. We’re looking at a two year mortgage and we’ll be done.

They look at expenditure, if that is part of your expenditure it will be included, just the same as any other regular out going. Someone is trying to make something out of nothing. I don't see what difference using a credit card will make, your credit card bills will also be included in out goings as well as the balances as debts.

When we did our mortgage renewal, there was questions about gym costs, childcare, mobile phones, streaming services... is WLI really any different (plus probably more than some of those?).
Its not a moral judgement.

Exactly. Most people go on this medication because they love food, and can’t use willpower alone (and nothing wrong with that) and find the weight goes back on when the food noise comes back. It’s becoming apparent that a low dose will be needed for life.

@maddiemookins16mum good luck with the remortgaging, I’m sure it will be fine. It would be interesting to hear if anyone you speak to about mortgages actually does mention WLI specifically, in a way that they don’t with other discretionary spending.

Last time that I remortgaged they went through my spending in the most minute detail, eg a magazine subscription for £25 per month. So, it doesn't surprise me that they would ask about WLI. I am on them and would be very loathe to stop but obviously would if it was a choice between paying the mortgage and getting the pens.

Please. "Most" people aren't on WLIs because they can't use willpower.