Mortgages support Archives - The Loughborough Building Society https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/category/support-centre/mortgages-support Helping you buy a home and save Wed, 18 Dec 2024 08:42:21 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/cropped-loughborough-site-icon-32x32.png Mortgages support Archives - The Loughborough Building Society https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/category/support-centre/mortgages-support 32 32 Mortgage FAQs https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/mortgage-faqs Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:01:24 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=999 Your mortgage questions answered

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To help give you more information and guidance on our Mortgage products, we’ve put together answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions.

What locations do you lend in?

We lend across the whole of mainland England & Wales. Some products may have postcode restrictions.

What’s your Standard Variable Rate?

The Society’s Standard Variable Rate is currently 7.94%

What’s the maximum you will lend?

The maximum we’ll lend to you will depend on your individual needs and circumstances and the terms of the mortgage product. Call our mortgage advice team on 01509 389282 to find out how much you could potentially borrow, which products are available to you and how much your monthly payments would be.

What’s the minimum term of employment or self-employment?

Self employed applicants who have three years of accounts are eligible for our standard mortgage products.

For those who are employed we’ll consider any term of employment.

Will you lend on Right to Buy cases?

Yes, subject to the Right to Buy papers being in the applicants name.

Will you consider Guarantor mortgages?

No, however, the Society does offer joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage (JBSP) which allows additional people (non-owning joint borrowers) to be added to a mortgage while only the owner-occupier(s) (proprietors) are named on the deeds and therefore on the proprietorship register. The non-owning joint borrower will be ‘jointly and severally’ responsible for the mortgage payments and for obliging by the terms and conditions of the mortgage.

Are there any age restrictions for applicants?

Yes

Residential Mortgages

Minimum: 18 years
Maximum: There is no maximum age to which we’ll lend.  As a responsible lender, we of course do need to consider the ability to pay the mortgage both at the time of application but also at the time when income may be reduced such as when in retirement.

Borrowing in Retirement Mortgages

Applications for Borrowing into/in Retirement products will only be accepted from applicants who are already over the age of 80, or whose required mortgage term will take them beyond age 80.

Buy-to-Let Mortgages

Minimum: 25 years
Maximum: 80 year

What costs/fees will I have to pay?

There are certain costs involved in taking out a mortgage:

Completion fee (where applicable)
This is a fee charged by the Society to cover the administration costs in arranging a mortgage. If you wish, you can choose to add this fee to your mortgage account (subject to loan to value limits). However, you should consider carefully before adding any fees to your mortgage as these will incur interest charges at the rate of interest applicable to your mortgage account.

Solicitor Fees
These fees will normally depend on the size of the property and will include a Land Registry fee, the solicitors own conveyancing fee plus other charges and expenses known as ‘disbursements’.

Higher lending charge

A Higher Lending Charge normally applies if you want to borrow more than 80% of the property’s value and provides indemnity insurance to protect the lender against any future loss if, for example, if you go into arrears with mortgage payments or your property is repossessed. The Higher Lending Charge will normally be provided free on our products.

Valuation Fee

Before we can make a lending decision, we’ll need to value your property. There are three types of valuation available:

Standard/Basic Valuation
This is a basic valuation of the property and is for the lender’s benefit only. It enables the lender to decide whether the property is suitable for lending purposes.

Homebuyers report
This report is a more detailed inspection of the property than a standard valuation. You’ll receive a report on the condition of the property, stating any repairs or defects that need attention.

Full Building Survey
This survey is the most comprehensive type of report and is a thorough and complete inspection of the property and its structure.

Search fee
If you’re buying a property, you will need to pay local search fees. A search provides information about your property and immediate neighbourhood, which may affect your decision to purchase the property. Your solicitor will normally arrange for these to be carried out.

What is Stamp Duty?

Stamp duty is a tax payable by the purchaser of a property. It’s collected by the solicitor/conveyancer prior to the sale completing and is charged at various rates.

You can find the most up to date rate of stamp duty payable on the government’s Stamp Duty Land Tax webpage.

What documentation will be required to take out a mortgage?

You’ll need to provide:

  • Your last three month’s payslips and latest P60 or your latest accounts / SA302 documents if Self Employed
  • Your last three months bank statements
  • Your most recent mortgage statement
  • Copies of your driving licence or passport.

If any additional documentation is required, we’ll let you know.

What repayment methods are available?

Capital repayment mortgage
This is most common repayment method which is also known as capital and interest or repayment. Your monthly mortgage payment is made up of part of the amount borrowed plus interest every month. Providing all of the monthly repayments are paid in full and on time, you’ll gradually pay off the entire mortgage.

Interest only mortgage
The monthly payments you make only cover the interest on the loan. At the end of the mortgage term you’ll still need to pay back the amount you borrowed via a suitable repayment plan e.g. (Endowment policy, ISA or Pension.)

Part and part mortgage
This is a combination of capital repayment and interest only. Part of your mortgage is on capital repayment which will be paid off at the end of your mortgage term. The other part is made up of interest only where you’ll need to ensure that you have a repayment plan in place in order to repay the amount you borrowed at the end of your mortgage term. 

If I move house and take out a new mortgage with the Society, would I have to pay the Early Repayment Charge (ERC)?

If you move house, and the completion of the sale of your existing property and the purchase of your new property takes place on the same day, the early repayment charge will be waived, providing you take the new mortgage with the Society.

If you move house and there’s a delay between the sale of your existing property and the purchase of your new property, the Early Repayment Charges (ERC) must be paid.  However, if you take the new mortgage with the Society, your ERC will be refunded. This is providing that the application for the new mortgage is made no later than 3 months from the sale of your old property, and the completion of the new mortgage is no later than 6 months from the sale of your old property.

In both cases, if the new mortgage is less than the old mortgage, the ERC will be waived/refunded on the amount equivalent to the new (lower) mortgage balance. Additionally, for the new purchase, the mortgage application must meet our lending criteria at the time of application.

Do you carry out a credit search if I want to apply for a mortgage?

Yes, the Society will carry out a credit search and this will show on your credit file.

Are there any types of property you don’t lend on?

How do I find out how much I owe?

You can find out the balance on your mortgage account by calling us on 01509 631961 or by emailing us at [email protected]

Alternatively, if you plan to redeem your mortgage you’ll need to request a redemption statement.

The statement will be sent to the correspondence address registered on your account.

I’m in the Armed Forces, can I rent out my house while I’m posted overseas?

Yes, The Loughborough is committed to supporting the Armed Forces Covenant.

Please be aware that our FAQs do not cover all aspects of our lending criteria, for further information or guidance please use our online contact form or telephone us on 01509 610707.

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Confirmation of Payee https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/savings-support/cop Thu, 31 Oct 2024 13:49:12 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=19802 Information on Confirmation of Payee (CoP) the name checking service for UK based payments, how it works and how it benefits our members

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Mortgage Charter – Concerns about meeting your Mortgage costs https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgages/mortgage-concerns https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgages/mortgage-concerns#respond Fri, 24 Mar 2023 12:17:44 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=895 Advice and support for those who are concerned about paying their mortgage

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We’re pleased to confirm that we’re supporting the new Mortgage Charter which was agreed with the government on 26 June to support homeowners who are concerned about paying their mortgage.

The Mortgage Charter is designed to give confidence to people worried about meeting their mortgage payments that real help is at hand. Society members worried about their ability to pay their mortgage should not wait. We appreciate it’s a worrying time and we want to support our members.

If you’re concerned about making your mortgage payment now or feel you might have some difficulty in the future, talk to us as soon as possible on 01509 631952 or email us at [email protected] we’re here to help.  Our experienced team can offer practical, tailored support and will provide a safe space for a confidential, non-judgmental conversation. Speaking to us will have no impact on your credit rating and it will not appear on your credit report.

What could The Loughborough do?

We may be able to;

•             Arrange a temporary payment plan with you*  

•             Change the way you make your payments, or the date you make them.

•             Allow you to pay back your mortgage over a longer period of time* (which would reduce your monthly payments).

•             Change the repayment method of your mortgage*.

•             Switch your mortgage product*.

•             Defer your monthly mortgage payment* (take a payment holiday).

•             A combination of any of the above*.

(* depending on your current and future circumstances.)

We also have a guide for people having problems paying their mortgage that contains a lot of information about how your lender can help and organisations who can support you. 

You can also get free, confidential, and impartial advice regarding managing your finances in uncertain times, financial scams, or dealing with debt from www.moneyhelper.org.uk or calling 08000 113797 or at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/

Money Helper also has handy information that can help you prepare for a rise in interest rates https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/homes/buying-a-home/how-to-prepare-for-an-interest-rate-rise

Within the support centre of our website you’ll find other articles to support you including www.theloughborough.co.uk/category/support-centre/challenging-times and www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/existing-borrower-faqs .

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Planning to build your own home https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/planning-to-build-your-own-home Wed, 05 Jan 2022 16:20:41 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=7752 Help and advice for those planning on building their own home

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Your home, your way

Self Build can be a cost-effective way to get your dream home. Around 10% of new homes in the UK are Self Build but most people don’t do the building themselves, they organise the project, hiring professionals to do the design, planning and labour.

Why choose Self Build

Having a say in the design, layout and location of your home is one of the major benefits. Few of us get the chance to influence these factors so there is a lot to think about.

You could save 20% to 40% on the cost of an existing home. The more work you do yourself, the lower the building costs will be but bear in mind the time and effort, especially if you also have another job.

What to consider before building your own home

Building your own home can be a rewarding experience, but it’s also a huge commitment that can take a lot of time, money, and resources.

Before you start the process of building your dream home, there are some things you should consider.

The average cost for building a 3-bedroom house ranges from £240k to £365k, so you’ll need to consider how you fund it.

You may be able to get a self-build mortgage with lenders such as Loughborough Building Society. You’ll need a deposit and to be able to fund some of the build from your own resources.

You might find that you’ll need to save a larger deposit in order to secure a mortgage for a self-build property, with mortgage lenders tending to set a lower maximum loan to value (LTV) ratio on self-build mortgages than they would on a standard residential mortgage.

To secure a mortgage with a lender, they’ll need to check you’ll be able to afford the payments as well as your other financial commitments, after all, there may be a time when you’re paying mortgage payments on the self-build mortgage as well as paying for accommodation whilst you’re building.

The amount you can borrow will depend on how much you earn and how much you have in living costs, so take into consideration what you might be able to comfortably afford when starting your self-build journey.

As with a regular residential mortgage, you can arrange an Agreement in Principle (AIP) with a mortgage lender to find out if you’ll be able to borrow the amount required to build your home.

An AIP doesn’t guarantee you can get a mortgage, but it’ll give you an idea of whether a bank or building society would be willing to lend that amount.

Having a contingency fund available of between 10% and 25% of the project cost is also essential in case your project doesn’t go to plan, problems that require extra funds can often start early on in the build. You may also find that the cost of materials may fluctuate over the period of the build.

If you still have the contingency at the end of the build, you could consider upgrading interior finishes or landscaping schemes.

Project Planning your Self Build

There are many things to consider when building your own home, these include:

  • Finding a plot on which to build your property
  • Getting planning permission and self-build insurance
  • Financing your self-build and setting budgets
  • Hiring professionals and obtaining building materials
  • The schedule of works

All of these tasks require a lot of forward planning and precision project management if you want to keep to time and on budget with your self-build.

Hiring a professional project manager

To help ensure that your project is managed properly, you could consider hiring a professional project manager.

A professional self-build project manager will oversee/procure a building within the budget and time parameters set, they’ll also help save you the job of having to find the main contractor or sort the design etc.

They’ll also oversee health and safety on site, cost control, contracts, and time management.

All these responsibilities demand a good knowledge of finance and construction, which is where self-builders taking on the role themselves can sometimes struggle.

An experienced professional will also have a range of contacts that could save you time sourcing contractors and materials. Their experience will also come in handy when potential issues arise.

Professionals are trained to understand exactly what’s needed to bring the scheme together and can therefore budget accordingly, so you shouldn’t have to worry about the cost of your project going overboard.

While you’ll have little responsibility for day-to-day activities, you’ll still be involved in the decision-making process.

Hiring a project manager will however take 5-8% out of your overall budget, but their experience could be invaluable.

For more information on the benefits of hiring a project manager visit https://www.selfbuildzone.com/post/2019/02/13/why-opt-for-a-professional-project-manager-for-your-self-build

Managing the project, yourself.

If you have the time, the dedication, and experience in managing projects you could consider project managing the self-build yourself to save on money.

Bear in mind that juggling the project management of a self-build project while maintaining a full-time job and family can be extremely stressful, especially if you have limited experience.

If you do decide to go ahead with managing the project yourself, you’ll need to be very organised and plan ahead to ensure that your self-build project keeps to time and the set budget.

Project management tools

It’s a good idea to plan a week-by-week schedule of the build works with your contractor.

Having a schedule of your works which includes the length and scale of each part of the project, will help you plan accordingly and ensure your project stays on the right track.

There are various options to help you plan your self-build project and track your progress and finances, from timetables on spreadsheets to project management software like Trello, Asana and Wrike.

From making checklists to project plans on excel, how you build your plan is entirely up to you.

If you don’t know where to start, something like a Gantt chart can provide you with a simple visual representation of your project schedule.

With a Gantt chart, tasks to be completed are listed down the left-hand column and blocks of time are shaded in the corresponding row to show the start date, finish date and the duration of each task. Additional columns can also be added for budget costs, actual costs and the resources required for each task.

A Gannt Chart template can help get you started.

In order for a project management tool like a Gantt chart to work effectively, it needs to be completed as accurately as possible at the planning stage. To do this, you’ll need to gather as much information as possible. If items are missed or an unrealistic schedule is set, the project will be destined for problems before it even gets underway.

Ideally when planning you need to identify what needs to be done at each stage, who is doing each task, how long each task will take and the costings.

Your architect, designer and contractor will be also able to offer support on what’s required at various stages and how long tasks will roughly take.

For a typical self-build schedule of works click on the link below.

https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/self-build-schedule

It’s also best to be prepared to amend the timetable on the advice of your contractor and builders and the reality of the situation at the time.

The Governments self-build portal is also a good place to source this information and will likely have case studies of projects similar to yours that could help you plan your project.

Setting a budget

Most lenders will require full details of the project’s costings and cashflow projections when you submit a self-build mortgage application, so it’s a good idea to start putting a budget plan together as soon as possible.

A typical self-build budget plan will show the cashflow breakdown for each stage of the building process, from purchasing the land to laying foundations to constructing the house.

A lender usually releases funds at six key stages in the project, so you’ll need to create a cashflow budget with funds allocated for each stage.

In addition to the cashflow budget, you should take into consideration costs such as the architect and project management fees, survey planning, finance and other associated fees, buildings warranty insurance and a contingency fund of between 10 to 25%.

This is a good point to start to get quotes from potential contractors and suppliers. It’s worth shopping around and gauging availability too, contractors often have workloads planned out several months in advance.

Location of build

When choosing your future home, whether building or buying, you’ll want to make sure it’s in a location that suits you, does it have a local school? Are you able to commute to work easily? Are you close to your family?

It’s worth having a look at what’s currently available in your chosen area(s). This can give you an indication on costs and what type of builds are being constructed.

The cost per square metre of land varies per local authority, it’s therefore a good idea to compare areas to see which has the best value for you.

How big an area do you require? How many rooms do you need? How many stories? The bigger and more complicated the project the more expensive it will be.

As well as location, the type of plot you build your house has to be taken into consideration, do you want to purchase land, demolish an existing building to rebuild/ renovate a current property?

It’s worth reaching out to the local authority’s planning department early to see what is and what‘s not viable. Most local authority planning departments offer pre-application advice, but keep in mind that some authorities charge for this service.

Finally, how is the project going to be managed? Will it be a custom or a bespoke design done through a package company, or will you use an architect and contactor or a professional project manager?

Having a clear vision of how you’re going to set out and build your home will help a great deal when starting the project and the lender will likely want to see the plans

Choosing a building plot

As with viewing houses, finding potential plots of land where you can build your property can take patience and time, but taking time to find the right plot of land or property is crucial in getting your self-build project off the ground.

A good place to start searching for suitable land is to use online resources such as PlotSearch.  PlotSearch lets you search on building opportunities available in each county. PlotSearch also saves you time by only listing genuine building opportunities where planning permission has been granted.

When looking at sites, focus on a few preferable areas that best suit your needs and price range.

When you’ve got a few areas in mind where you’d like to build a property, it’s a good idea to register your interest on local self-build registers by using the Government’s self-build portal at https://selfbuildportal.org.uk/register-for-a-building-plot/

Be aware that some Local authorities charge for the registration with prices varying, so check in advance.

As part of the Right to Build legislation, local authorities in England must ensure that they have sufficient plots available to meet the demand, and demonstrate that planning permission (or permission in principle) has been granted on these plots within three years. To find out more about this scheme visit  https://nacsba.org.uk/campaigns/right-to-build-portal/

When searching through your preferred location, you could also visit the area to scope out current build projects and potential opportunities.

Alternatively, you could get in touch with local independent estate agents regarding available opportunities, it’s also worth getting in touch with local surveyors and architects too, as they’ll find out about new plots early.

If the area you’re looking at has high house prices you could also consider buying a poor-quality house to demolish and create a building plot.

Plots suitable for single houses are regularly sold at auction, often as demolition and rebuilds. But bear in mind, if you’re buying a property at auction, you’ll only have 28-56 days to complete on the purchase, meaning you’ll need to have the funds readily available. The seller will also require an upfront deposit of around 10%.  

Surveying the suitability of the plot

Once you’ve found a potential plot of land to build on, before committing you’ll need to check the suitability of the plot, does it have any current issues, will there be potential issues in the future that could derail your self-build?

A useful source of information is the local council planning department website. Most councils give access to the documents relating to submitted planning applications.

By looking through the records of your site and nearby houses you’ll be able to get a good picture of the sort of designs that achieve planning permission. It might also help uncover any reasons why others get refused.

The plot you’re looking at might have wider potential for developers, it’s therefore wise to look at current local plans to make sure that the land you’re looking at is not already designated for future developments.

Obtaining a land survey

It’s highly advisable to get a professional survey of the land done before purchasing.

Some Banks, Building Societies and other lenders will request that a survey is done before they authorise a mortgage.

Only a licensed land survey, produced by a qualified land surveyor, will be able to exactly describe what the area you’re going to purchase includes or entails.

By obtaining a land survey report you’ll be able to identify any issues concerning the land including:

  • What utilities (gas, water, electricity, phone) the land is connected to or are in existence nearby, if your plot doesn’t have easy access to these services, getting connected could add greatly to the overall cost of the project
  • Whether the plot is on a flood plain or has any other potentially damaging issues like a risk of subsidence or if the plot is on unstable ground
  • Whether the land is not legally subject to any restrictive land covenants or ransom strips (Legal covenants can restrict whether something is built on a plot, or dictate the style or location of the house)
  • Whether there are any access or boundary issues which could cause potential legal issues with your neighbours, the last thing you’ll want is to go to court over a boundary dispute.

The best place to search for an accredited Land Surveyor is on the RICSCICES and CIOB websites, with the cost of the survey depending on how much detail you require from it and the size of the land.

When contacting the surveyor, make sure you tell them exactly what you need from the survey, this will ensure that time won’t be wasted and will help the surveyor give you an accurate estimate.

Designing your Home

Designing is one of the most exciting stages of building your own home but it’s also one of the most crucial.

We all dream about designing our own home, but unless you have plenty of time and resource to understand the different options available and what’s needed to make a safe and secure structure, it’s probably best to hire a qualified architect.

However, the more you know about the different styles, materials, insulation etc, the more input you’ll be able to give to the architect when briefing the project.

In addition to designing the house, a qualified architect will be able to support the whole project and handle the statutory requirements including the planning permission and building regulations.

RIBA is a good place to start when looking for the right architect for your project https://www.architecture.com/find-an-architect/

You’ll also need check that your prospective architect is registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB).

It’s a good idea to speak to a few prospective architects about your project but bear in mind that some architects might charge for an initial meeting, often requesting a one-off introduction fee.

In these initial meetings you can discuss your requirements, your budget and whether they can deliver the project or not. You should also negotiate a fee and get confirmation of that fee and what it covers in writing.

The cost of the architectural services will greatly depend on the level of involvement, the location, and the complexity of the project.

Choosing a Build method

There are a few of options available when choosing how to build your dream home.

The most common construction methods are:

Build and Block – This is the most conventional building method in the UK, this system works with an inside layer of concrete blocks, an outer layer of bricks and a layer of insulation in between.

Timber Frame – These types of buildings are becoming very popular with self-builders; timber frames offer a wide range of design options from a traditional brick-faced style to a wooden Scandinavian style.

Steel Frame – While not common in the UK, it’s a popular construction option in the US, steel frames are light weight and high strength but will require you to purchase on a supply and fit basis from a manufacturer so the design could be limited.

There are other alternative methods available from Timber Clad to Styrostone, but the majority of builds constructed in the UK use the Build and Block or Timber Frame construction.

For more information on build types visit https://selfbuildportal.org.uk/construction-methods/

Whether its brick and block, timber frame or other construction options, choosing how your home will be built will depend on a number of factors.

If you’re building a customisable or bespoke home through a package company, the architects, or contractors that the packager users, will usually have their own build style/structural preference, so if you’d like a particular construction option it’s best to find a packager that meets your requirements.

If you’re building a house with an architect and a contractor, they also may require that the project be built using their chosen construction method, so it’s best to keep this in mind when holding initial conversations.

Lastly before choosing a building option, it’s important to check with lenders what construction types, they’ll consider lending on. Many lenders will have a list of acceptable build types. 

Getting Planning Permission

Before purchasing a piece of land you’ll need to at least obtain Outline Planning Permission from the Local Authority.

By gaining planning permission from the local council, you’re gaining consent to turn a piece of land into a viable building plot.

It’s recommended to get in touch with planning officers at the local council of your self-build project as early as possible to get a strong idea of what will and what won’t be accepted in terms of size, style, and materials.

Most planning departments offer pre-application advice, but be aware, some might charge for this service .

Outline Planning Permission allows for a decision on the general principles of how a site can be developed. The Outline Planning Permission will last 3 years.

Full details of the size, dimensions etc. can be decided at a later date.

However, Full Planning Permission (also known as Detailed Planning Permission) with your detailed proposals will be required before building work can actually start.

When applying for planning permission and building regulation approval, your application will likely need to include:

  • Five copies of the application form
  • The signed ownership certificate
  • A site plan, block plan, elevations of both the existing and proposed sites
  • A Design and Access Statement
  • The correct fee

Home Building have more information on planning permission. Most local authorities will have guidance notes available to help you fill in your statement.

On receiving the application, your local authority will send out an inspector to view the plot and assess the suitability of the project. There will be a charge for this service, details of the charges can be obtained from your local council.

The local council will take into account a number of factors when considering whether your building project is likely to gain planning permission.

These include

  • Privacy
  • Lighting/Overshadowing
  • Parking
  • Traffic
  • Noise
  • Impact on listed buildings and Conservation Areas
  • Layout and density of building
  • Design, appearance, and materials
  • Government policy
  • Disabled access
  • Previous planning decisions

The local authority will also release details of your application to local neighbours and the parish council so that any objections can be lodged.

Unfortunately, a new building project could risk upsetting locals living or working in the area.

Neighbours living nearby might be worried about the extra noise, the traffic it might cause, and the effect it could have on the value of their own property.

Once the Local Authority has received these responses, they’ll assess the proposal against their planning policy. The planning officer will then make a decision on whether to approve or decline the application.

If approved, Full Planning Permission will be granted and the work will be allowed to start.

If there’s a problem, the planning officer might try and contact you to resolve it. If it’s refused, then you’ll either need to resubmit an amended proposal or appeal against the decision.

Sometimes conditions of approval will be attached to the planning permission, these will need to be complied with throughout the project.

The council should let you know their decision on your application within 8 weeks.

Please note, your typical straight forward planning application is decided at planning officer level but a more complex application will probably need to go through to a planning committee which could take longer to process.

Instead of making a decision, the planning officer will make a recommendation to the planning committee.

A planning meeting will be held where, you or your agent will be given an opportunity to address the planning committee. The local planning committee will then vote on the final decision.

Complying with Building Regulations

In addition to having planning permission in place, your building project must comply with building regulations.

All new houses have to be built to the correct set of standards, from the foundations to the electrics, your building must be safe and structurally sound in order to become a home.

Whether your home passes or fails these building regulations will depend on a set of rules.

To find out the building regulations that will apply to your self-build project, get in contact with the building regulations department of the local council, where they’ll be able to let you know which procedures to follow.

More information about the planning and building regulations can be found at the  Government Planning Portal website

Please note, the primary responsibility for complying with the regulations belongs to the person carrying out the building work.

This will usually be the firm that employs the builder(s) carrying out the work, though make sure you confirm this in writing at the very beginning.

Ultimately however, it might be you, the owner of the building who’ll receive an enforcement notice if the work doesn’t comply with the regulations.

Getting Regulations Approval

To get regulations approval, you can either use the building control services of your local authority or an approved inspector.

Inspections of the work will take place at particular stages in the build process (see example below) to ensure regulations are being complied with.  

Build stage                                       Notice required

Commencement                              2 days

Excavation of foundations            1 day

Foundations laid                             1 day

Oversite preparation                      1 day

Damp proof course                        1 day

Drains testing                                  1 day

Occupation prior to completion:  Within 5 days of occupation

Completion:                                       Within 5 days of occupation

Source https://www.self-build.co.uk/guide-building-regulations/

Ahead of each stage you’ll have to notify the inspector, giving notice for them to inspect the work.

These stages might vary by local authority and the type of build, so check with the building regulations department before arranging an inspection.

Arranging finances for your self-build project

Self-Build Mortgages

Before starting to build your home, you’ll need to arrange finance for your project, while you might have saved some funds ready for the project or are able to sell or remortgage an existing property, it’s likely that you’ll need to arrange a self-build mortgage with a lender.

Which mortgage to choose?

As with most residential mortgages, there are lots of different self-build mortgages available with different features that meet different needs.

Unlike a regular mortgage, you’ll receive funds in stages as parts of the build are finished, rather than as a single lump sum.

Build projects are usually split into the following six key stages, where funds are released.

  1. Purchasing the land
  2. The initial project costs and laying foundations
  3. Construction to wall plate levels
  4. Building made wind and watertight
  5. First fix and plastering
  6. Second fix through to completion

(Different build types and lenders will vary slightly)

With so many factors to consider, it’s best to get in touch with a mortgage adviser or broker/intermediary.

An adviser will be able to provide information on what type of self-build mortgages are available and will recommend a mortgage product which is the right fit for your individual circumstances and project type.

A typical mortgage lender will offer self-build mortgages with a loan to value (LTV) range of 75% – 85%. With an 80% LTV mortgage you’d need to have a deposit of at least 20% of the loan amount before you could apply for that product.

For example, if the estimated cost of your final project were £400,000, you’d need at least a deposit of £80,000 to apply for a mortgage with an LTV of 80%.

With some lenders, you’ll be able to have a mortgage on an interest only basis throughout the build process, this is particularly helpful if you need to live in a rented property.

On completion of the build, you’ll need to convert to a repayment mortgage. It’s best to speak to your mortgage adviser about all the options available once the build has completed.  

If you’ve built up enough equity in your home or if you own it outright, you also have the option of re-mortgaging or securing a bridging loan to pay for the plot, funding your build costs or both.

So, when your new home is completed, you’ll be able to sell off your old house to pay for the loan. The advantage of this method is that you’ll be able to stay at your current home throughout the building process.

Get in touch with a mortgage adviser to discuss your available options.

Assessing an application for a self-build project

When submitting a self-build application to a mortgage lender you’ll need to provide the following supporting documents:

Planning permission and building regulations approval – With some mortgage lenders, like Loughborough Building Society, Outline Planning Permission is only required for the purchase of the plot, detailed planning permission, building regulation approval and any other necessary statutory or local authority consents will be required before further drawdown after land purchase.

Scaled Architectural Drawings – Detailed specifications and costings must be submitted with scale drawings.

A completed submission sheet

Details of the costings and cashflow projections – Some providers may also want a breakdown of the work and details of who is doing it.

Site Insurance – A solicitor should ensure Site insurance is in in place by completion of the mortgage, at a minimum it should cover:

• £5 million Public Liability

• £10 million Employers Liability

• Contract Works (for the re-instatement value)

• Reinstatement cover for any existing structure.

An NHBC certificate or equivalent warranty – This needs to be applied before building work commences)

You’ll also need to submit documentation to support the application in the same way as with any regular mortgage application, e.g., pay slips, bank statements, ID, proof of rent/mortgage and deposit.

It’s also important to have a healthy credit record and ensure that your outgoings are not exceeding your income.

The lender will be able to tell you what they require.

Once your mortgage application has been approved, the lender will agree a schedule of payment drawdowns.

The lender will arrange a local valuer to inspect the building at each build stage and payment release until the project is complete.

Other fees to consider

Stamp Duty Fees – When building your own home, you won’t need to pay stamp duty on the house, as no transfer is taking place. You’ll only need to pay stamp duty on the piece of land that you purchase. This is one of the advantages of building your own home.

As owner of the property, you’re responsible for completing the land transaction return and paying the Stamp Duty Land Tax. Your solicitor or Conveyancer will usually handle this for you and send it to HMRC on your behalf.

You can find the most up to date rate of stamp duty payable on the government’s Stamp Duty Land Tax webpage.

Valuation Fees – Mortgage lenders will likely want to conduct a survey and valuation before making a lending decision and can advise you of their fee in advance.

Completion fees
To cover the administration costs of arranging a mortgage, some lenders will ask for a completion fee on some products. If you wish, you can choose to add this fee to your mortgage account (subject to loan to value limits). However, you should consider carefully before adding any fees to your mortgage as these will incur interest charges at the rate of interest applicable to your mortgage account.

Solicitor Fees – These fees will normally depend on the size of your property and will include a Land Registry fee, the solicitor’s own conveyancing fee plus other charges and expenses known as ‘disbursements’.

Planning Fees – These include the fees you’ll need to pay to the local council for planning permission, building regulations approval and inspections. You’ll also have to pay architects fees for their drawings and plans.

Mains Services – If your building plot is not readily connected to mains services like electricity, gas, and water you’ll have to budget for these to be provided.

The further in distance your plot is from the nearest infrastructure, the more costly it will be to provide a connection.

By speaking to suppliers early, you’ll be able to get estimates on how much it will cost to establish a connection and the amount of time it will take.

Once these connections are set up, you’ll start getting charged as soon as you start using these services.

Insurances

It’s crucial that you’re adequately insured when building a house, especially when you consider how risky building sites can be – not just for accidents but for things like theft and vandalism.

It’s therefore important to get a Self-Build insurance policy that provides cover for

  • Public Liability Insurance
  • Employer Liability Insurance
  • Contracts Works Insurance
  • Reinstatement cover for any existing structure
  • Other Insurances i.e., for specialist services provided by third party contactors

When looking for self-build insurance it’s best to get in touch with a dedicated self-build insurance provider like Self Build Zone or Protek for example.

Warranties

A building warranty is essentially an insurance policy for newly built homes. 

This warranty will cover the major structural elements of your new home from any physical damage that takes place for a period of ten years. It’ll also cover workmanship and materials such as windows and tiles as well as the electricity and plumbing of the building.

Without a structural warranty or architects’ certificate in place, it’ll be practically impossible to sell your home within the first 10 years. Most mortgage lenders will specify that you’ll need one in place too.

Here is a list of warranty providers with whom you can take out a policy:

NHBC

Premier Guarantee

Build Zone

LABC (New Home Warranty)

Building Life Plans Limited (BLP, Allianz Guarantee)

Protek

Checkmate Castle 10

What’s Next

After the building work is complete there are a few things, you’ll need to consider before you move into your home.

Obtaining a Completion Certificate

A completion certificate is an official written record showing that the building work has been carried out in accordance with Building Regulations and therefore can now be deemed suitable to live in.

Your main contractor, surveyor, project manager or package house supplier will sign off the property and apply to the local authority for the completion certificate.

You should receive the completion certificate within eight weeks of completion of the building work (as long as it complies with the regulations).

At this point you’ll be able to apply to HMRC for VAT reclaim (See below).

Upon completion, your property will become liable for Council Tax, at some point, you’ll receive a bill that’s backdates to the completion certificate, so be prepared for this expense.

It’s also worth speaking to your lender as they may have more suitable mortgage products for you to switch to once your home is complete.

Reclaiming Value Added Tax

One of the benefits of building your own home is that Self-Build homes are exempt from VAT and therefore you should be able to claim your tax back.

Remember to keep all the receipts of all your purchases because you’ll need these to make a VAT reclaim.

For information on filling in a VAT reclaim visit https://www.gov.uk/vat-returns/fill-in-your-return

Arrange a handover

Before moving in your property, it’s a good idea to complete a handover with your builder, so they can show you how to use your new home, including details on how each appliance works. This is also an opportunity to make sure everything has been completed according to your plans and that there are no remaining issues.

Remember to ask for manuals for each appliance, you may not be able to remember everything during the handover.  

Arranging a snagging inspection

When building a home, there’ll always be small defects that need sorting out along the way.

While most of these will be dealt with during the build, some elements will only be picked up after completion.

It’s therefore a good idea to get a snagging inspection done soon after completion

With a snagging inspection you and your contractor (and architect if possible) will do a walkaround the house, noting defects as you go.

This is your chance to have genuine faults corrected – It isn’t a means to get the builder to do additional work for free. 

Another option is to get a professional snagging survey done; however this will incur an extra cost.

The majority of builders will hold back around 2.5%-5% of the agreed contract price to cover remaining snagging issues after completion. 

Post codes

Unless there was a previous property on your site, your new home will come with a new address.

To get your new address, your builder will need to contact the local council in order to get the new address and post code created. The post code will go live when Royal Mail are informed that mail can be delivered to it.

Be prepared to have your post and parcels redirected elsewhere while businesses update their databases.

It may also take a while for Satellite Navigation devices to be updated, so be prepared to give people directions to your home from different locations.

Remember to also get a door number for your new property!

Order bins for your property

Get in touch with your local council to arrange to have wheelie bins delivered to your new home and find out which days your bins will be collected, or you could be left with a big pile of unwanted rubbish.

Moving into your property

At last, you’re ready to move into your dream home.

A new home, especially one you’ve built is exciting, but the moving process can be stressful, it’s therefore best to have a plan in place.

To help, we’ve put together a list of things you’ll need to consider at various stages leading up to the day you move.  

Four weeks before moving

  • Have you confirmed the date you’ll be moving in?
  • Have you booked time off work? 
  • Have you started thinking about and planning your removal?  
  • Get more than one removal quote 
  • Does your home contents insurance cover you for the move? 
  • If not, have you arranged for separate cover? 
  • Have you put together a moving pack with all the essentials you’ll need such as a kettle, mugs, light bulbs, toilet paper? 
  • Have you let all your telephone, utility companies, bank and other key parties know when you are moving?

Two weeks before moving

  • Have you told your local authority your new address and moving date?
  • Have you redirected your post?

One week before moving

  • Have you packed the majority of your items?
  • Do you know what time you’ll be able to move?
  • Have you confirmed all the details with your removal company?
  • Have you asked the builder to show you where the gas, electricity and water meters are, and where you can find the fuse box and stopcocks?
  • Are all the window and door keys labelled and easily available?

Day before moving

  • Have you packed a moving day survival kit with all you need such as tea and coffee?
  • Have you settled all your bills?

Finally, you’ll be able to move and enjoy living in your own dream home or even sell/let it out for another family to enjoy.

For more information on getting a self-build mortgage with the Loughborough visit https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/mortgages/build-your-own-home or get in touch with our direct team by telephone on 01509 389282 or by email at [email protected]

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First Time Buyer FAQ’s https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/first-time-buyer-faqs Wed, 22 Sep 2021 14:52:48 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=7038 Your First Time Buyer questions answered

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Buying your first home is exciting but it can also be quite daunting, after all it’s one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make.

To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a guide that helps answer the most frequently asked questions of people buying their first home.

What is a Mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan from a bank or building society that helps you buy a home.

Mortgages are most often repaid in monthly instalments, with your lender charging interest on the amount you’ve borrowed. The higher the interest rate the more you’ll pay back each month and indeed over the term.  That said, it’s not all about the rate you pay but also about the terms of the mortgage you take. A fully qualified Mortgage Adviser will make a recommendation on the best mortgage to suit your needs and circumstances.

Mortgage payments on average are paid over a period of 25 years, although you can take out mortgages with longer or shorter terms. The quicker you pay off your mortgage, the less interest you’ll pay overall.

The mortgage application process can seem quite complicated, especially if you’ve never done it before, however a mortgage advisor will be able to support you throughout the process.

Not only will they be able to help you find the most appropriate deal for your circumstances, but they’ll be able to check your finances to help make sure that you’ll meet the lender’s lending and affordability criteria. They’ll also help you complete the paperwork and help you take all the costs and features of the mortgage into account.

Where can I find a mortgage?

The majority of mortgages in the UK are offered by financial organisations such as banks and building societies.

Those looking for a mortgage can source one from a bank or building society directly or through a mortgage broker.

How do mortgage deposits work?

The deposit is a percentage of the property’s purchase price or valuation (whichever is the lower), so if you’re buying a house for £150,000 a 10% deposit would be £15,000 that you’d need to have from your own resources.

The deposit is usually from your own savings or perhaps a gift from a family member but in some circumstances, you may be able to borrow 100% of the purchase price/value.

In the example shown above, you would then need a mortgage of the remaining 90% of the purchase price/value (£135,000) from your mortgage lender.

The loan amount compared to the purchase price/value is what’s often referred to as the Loan To Value (LTV) ratio.

Your monthly payments would then go toward paying off the amount you owe the mortgage lender plus interest. 

How much of a deposit will I need?

When buying a house for the first time, you’re likely to be looking at a 90-95% Mortgage deal. This means you’ll need to save a deposit of at least 5-10%.

However, the bigger the deposit you put down, the more choice you’ll have from products on the market.

Should I save for a bigger deposit?

Pros:

  • The bigger the deposit the stronger position you should be in. This is because there are more mortgage products available and often the lower LTV products are cheaper in price
  • Your monthly repayments will be lower if the amount you’re borrowing is less
  • It’ll be more likely you’ll have equity in the house when you want to sell. Equity is the amount you’ll have left once the property is sold and the mortgage balance is paid off. The more equity you have, the more you’ll be able to put toward the purchase of your next home.

Cons:

  • If house prices rise whilst you save, the amount you’ve saved so far may still not be enough
  • The longer you save for a mortgage the longer you might need to stay in rented accommodation meaning more money being used on rent which has a knock-on effect on the amount of spare money you’ll have each month to save

What’s an Agreement in Principle/ Decision in Principle and should I get one before looking for a home?

An Agreement in Principle (AIP) or a Decision in Principle (DIP), is a written estimate from a mortgage lender of the amount that you may be able to borrow.

AIP’s/DIP’s while not essential, are useful because they give you an indication of the amount you’ll be able to borrow from your lender and some Estate Agents will insist you have one before they’ll accept your offer on a property.

While an AIP does indicate how much you can borrow, it’s not a mortgage offer so you’ll still need to make a formal application to the lender once your offer has been accepted.

What can impact the mortgage application outcome?

Once the lender has your application, they will start to underwrite which means they’ll need to confirm your income and outgoings, credit status and value the property as a minimum.

The information below covers some of the factors that may affect the lenders underwriting decision.

A change in personal circumstances

A change to your personal circumstances such as a reduction in your admissible income could affect how much you’re able to borrow.

Starting a new job and still being in a probationary period could also affect the lenders decision.

The ability to lend on the property

The lender’s decision will also depend on whether they consider the property you’re interested in to be suitable for them to lend against. This will depend on the criteria of each lender.

It’s therefore worth checking with your lender whether they’re comfortable with the property type and location before putting an offer to the agent/seller.

What do lenders look for in terms of affordability?

When applying for a mortgage, the lender will need to be satisfied that you’ll be able to meet your monthly mortgage repayments.

To check whether you can make these payments a lender will assess affordability based on income and outgoings. This will involve the lender reviewing information you provide to them such as payslips, P60s and bank statements.

 Check your credit report.

A mortgage lender will usually check your credit report to find out if you’ve met your financial obligations so far, before accepting the mortgage.

Your credit report lists details from any accounts you’ve had open over the past six years, including credit cards, loans, and overdrafts.

The repayment of your cards, loans etc. could affect your overall credit file, with even one missed payment having a negative impact. It’s therefore a good idea to check your credit history and make sure you make your payments for the correct amount and on time for each of your credit commitments, before your lender makes a check.

Please note, every credit check from a lender is also recorded and will leave a mark on your credit history so you might want to limit the number of checks that are carried out.

You can check your credit report with credit reference agencies such as Experian, Equifax and TransUnion to see what information the lender might see.

What can affect my credit file?

Too many credit applications

Applying for too much credit over a short period of time can appear as a sign of financial stress, so it’s best to avoid taking out new credit agreements for at least a year before you apply for a mortgage. (Credit requests stay on your file for at least two years, though the impact on your file diminishes over time)

If you’re experiencing money worries, there is plenty of free and confidential advice out there to help you from charities such as:

Payplan – 0800 280 2816 www.payplan.com

National Debtline – 0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.org

Advice UK – You’ll need to locate the number of your local advice centre from the phone book or via this link www.adviceuk.org.uk

Step Change Debt Charity – 0800 138 1111 www.stepchange.org

Citizens Advice Bureau – You’ll need to locate the number of your local bureau from the phone book or via this link www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Please be aware that there are companies that charge a fee for managing your debts. If you intend to use the services of one of these companies, you should find out about any charges which may be applicable and fully understand any agreement terms.

Payday loans

Any payday loans you’ve taken out over the past six years will be listed on your file, even if you’ve paid it off on time.

These payday loans could be detrimental to your mortgage application as your lender may question your ability to live comfortably on your income.

This won’t necessarily mean you’ll get turned down for a mortgage as different lenders will view payday loans differently.

Not being registered to vote

You can help improve your credit file by registering to vote, as your lenders will be able to confirm who you are and where you live using the electoral register.

It’s quick and easy to do this online at the Electoral Commission or through your local council.

Can I get a mortgage with a poor credit file?

Having a poor credit file will not automatically rule you out for mortgage acceptance, but it could affect your chances.

What else could affect my chances of securing a mortgage?

Your deposit is too small

A small deposit amount might affect your chances of being accepted for a mortgage by a lender, however there are some lenders who will accept 5%-10% or fewer deposits so it’s worth searching for them.

You could however consider saving up for a larger deposit, using government schemes or getting help from your family by taking out a family assist mortgage.

Your admissible income is low

Admissible income is the amount available once your credit commitments have been deducted from your income, so the amount left over that’ll be needed to meet your mortgage payments and living expenses.

A responsible lender will make calculations to this effect and may find the income is insufficient, if so, you could try looking for a smaller mortgage, get help from one of the government home buying schemes or get help from your family through a family assist mortgage.

Not Matching the Lenders Criteria

Each mortgage lender has a different set of underwriting criteria (The standards by which decisions are made)and takes into account a number of factors when assessing mortgage applications.

Some mortgage lenders when underwriting your application might decline your application due to their set criteria.

i.e. the property or location of your mortgage application might be out of their lending remit.

Therefore it’s worth checking that the criteria matches with the lender before applying for a mortgage.

What can I do if my mortgage application is unsuccessful?

If your mortgage application is unsuccessful, it’s best to find out and resolve why and fixing whatever you can before you apply again.

Before applying again it’s a good idea to get help from a mortgage adviser or broker, who’ll be able to assess your financial and credit information and find a mortgage that’s more likely to fit the criteria.

What paperwork or evidence will I need to complete an application?

Proof of ID –

  • A current photo passport or drivers’ licence (This should be up to date with current home address) Expired licences will not be accepted.
  • A recent utility bill (gas, electric, phone etc) This should be the full bill and not just the summary page.
  • A bank statement or credit card bill – this must be dated within the last 3 months.

Proof of Income –

If you’re in PAYE employment

  • Payslips, these must be no older than 3 months, and feature your name, employer, payment date, gross and net pay.
  • The Mortgage lender might also ask for your latest P60 documents if you’ve just started your current employment.

If you are self-employed

  • Self-assessed tax return forms (SA302) and tax year overviews, these can be requested from HRMC Revenue and Customers.
  • An accountant’s certificate, this needs to be completed by a qualified UK accountant.

If you have other/additional sources of income:

  • P60 and/or 3 months’ payslips – for evidence of bonuses, overtime, and commission.
  • Most recent HMRC letter – for evidence of child benefits or working/child tax credits.
  • Most recent Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) letter – for evidence of state pension or state benefits.
  • Letter from local authority – for evidence of income from fostering, with number of children and amount of time you have been fostering for.
  • Pension payslip – for evidence of a private pension or annuity.

Proof of Expenses (Outgoing expenses) –

  • Full Bank Statement (Dated within last two months) with correct name, address, and a running balance.

It’s a good idea to have multiple copies of all these documents ready for the mortgage application process.

What extra fees will be required: what else do I need to budget for?

In addition to the mortgage deposit and monthly repayments, there are other costs involved when taking out a mortgage that you need to be aware of, these include:

Application/Completion fee (where applicable)

This is a fee charged by the lender. Sometimes, you can add this fee to your mortgage account (subject to loan to value limits). However, you should consider carefully before adding any fees to your mortgage as these will incur interest charges and may result in you paying more overall.

Solicitor Fees

These fees will normally depend on the size of the property and will include a Land Registry fee, the solicitor’s own conveyancing fee plus other charges and expenses known as ‘disbursements’. It’s worth shopping around for quotes.

Search fee

If you’re buying a property, you will need to pay local search fees. A search provides information about your property and immediate neighbourhood, which may affect your decision to purchase the property. Your solicitor will normally arrange for these to be carried out.

Higher lending charge

A Higher Lending Charge normally applies if you want to borrow more than 80% of the property’s value and provides indemnity insurance to protect the lender against any potential future loss if, for example, you go into arrears with mortgage payments or your property is repossessed. The Higher Lending Charge will normally be provided free by The Loughborough.

Valuation Fee

Before the lender can make a lending decision, they’ll need to value your property. There are three types of valuation available:

Standard/Basic Valuations

This is a basic valuation of the property and is for the lender’s benefit only. It enables the lender to decide whether the property is suitable for lending purposes.

Homebuyers report

This report is a more detailed inspection of the property than a standard valuation. You’ll receive a report on the condition of the property, stating any repairs or defects that need attention.

Full Building Survey

This survey is the most comprehensive type of report and is a thorough and complete inspection of the property and its structure.

What is Stamp Duty?

Stamp duty is a tax payable by the purchaser of a property. It’s collected by the solicitor/conveyancer prior to the sale completing and is charged at various rates.

However, first-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland do not have to pay stamp duty on the first £425,000 of property value, provided the total purchase price is £625,000 or less.

You can find the most up to date rate of stamp duty payable on the government’s Stamp Duty Land Tax webpage.

Can I overpay on my mortgage payments?

Yes, most lenders will let you overpay by 10% per year, check with your lender first before making an overpayment, as you could be subject to Early Repayment Charges if you overpay during the product period.

What happens if I can’t keep up with my mortgage payments? What can I do?

An unexpected circumstance could lead to you falling behind with your mortgage payments, this often leads to stress and worry that a lender will repossess your home.

Contrary to that belief, lenders will want to help you if you have a problem making mortgage payments and repossession is a last resort.

Therefore, its best that that you get in touch with your mortgage lender as soon as possible if you’re unable to make your monthly payments or experiencing financial difficulty.

For further support, The Building Societies Association has a practical guide to help those who can’t pay their mortgage.

If you’re struggling with debt, there are also a number of independent charities that help people get out of debt by offering free and impartial advice and work with you and your creditors to come to an agreement.

Debt charities include:

What support is available for first time buyers?

Saving for a deposit as a new buyer can be difficult, especially if you’re paying monthly rental payments.

However with help from Government schemes and savings accounts there are ways to help you save for your deposit.

  • You could open a regular savings account and set up a standing order to deposit a fixed amount of cash into it every month.
  • With your money in a separate savings account, you’ll be less temped to touch it.
  • The government has a number of Affordable Home Ownership Schemes that First Time Buyers can take advantage of.
  • You could use a budget planner such as the one from Money Helper this would help you track how much your spending and where you can potentially cut back in order to save more for your mortgage deposit and other fees associated with buying a house.
  • Lastly if your living situation is preventing you from saving for a deposit, you could potentially move back in with your parents or go into a flat share whilst you save for your deposit.

Please be aware that our FAQs do not cover all aspects of our lending criteria, for further information or guidance please use our online contact form or telephone us on 01509 610707.

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Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor – Buy for Uni FAQ’s https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/buy-for-uni-faqs Thu, 29 Jul 2021 08:53:05 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=6624 Your Buy for Uni questions answered

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To help give you more information and guidance on our Buy for Uni products, we’ve put together answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions.

How does the mortgage work?

The principle behind The Loughborough’s Joint Borrower/Sole Proprietor Buy for Uni mortgage is simple. With the help of family member(s) named on the mortgage it enables students to get onto the property ladder and buy a house rather than pay a great deal of rent for less than great accommodation. Spare rooms in the house can be rented to friends or fellow students and the rental income helps cover the mortgage payments.

The mortgage comes with a range of options that mean family members with a variety of circumstances could help student relatives become a home owner, even while in full time study.

Who can apply for a Buy for Uni mortgage?

The Buy for Uni mortgage is available to 18+ year old UK nationals who are students in Higher Education throughout England and Wales who have at least 1 full academic year remaining of their course on completion of the mortgage. The mortgage will be in the joint names of the student and up to two family members (who must live together) All parties to the mortgage will be responsible for the mortgage payments but only the occupying borrower (the student) will be named on the property title at the land registry (as the owner/proprietor). It’s a commitment from all so it’ll be a condition of the mortgage that all parties obtain independent legal advice so that they’re aware of their responsibilities and rights and what might be involved should there be a change in circumstances.

Who owns the property?

The occupying borrower (the student) will be registered as being the owner of the property. This means that family members will be responsible for the mortgage payments and be bound by the terms and conditions of the mortgage but will have no automatic rights to the property including any entitlement to potential sale profits.

How much can I borrow?

You could borrow up to 100% of the value of the property, subject to a maximum of £400,000 (minimum £90,000). We will assess your application and the actual amount you can borrow will depend, among other things, on the income that will be received from letting rooms within the property and if there is insufficient rental income to support the mortgage payments, we can include personal income of the family member(s) supporting you, after the deduction of their own financial commitments. We’ve set out our requirements separately if you want to borrow above 80% of the value of the property.

What sort of property is acceptable?

The property must be in England or Wales, within a 10 mile radius of the University attended and have a maximum of three bedrooms. There are some properties we won’t consider, for example ex local authority flats, studio flats that don’t have a separate bedroom and bathroom and flats in London.

Who can I let rooms to?

We won’t allow more than three occupants, including the occupying borrower. The other tenants don’t have to be students but tenancies must be granted under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement.

What additional security is needed if I want to borrow up to 100%?

For loans greater than 80% of the value of the property being purchased, we will also need one of the following:

  1. Security through savings (Cash security): this allows the supporting joint family member(s) to use their savings to help the occupying borrower without having to ‘give’ the money to them. The joint family member(s) deposit cash in a specifically designed deposit guarantee account with the Society. The cash deposited must be equivalent to the difference between the amount being borrowed and 80% of the value of the property to be purchased. The account must be in the names(s) of the family member(s) who have provided the guarantee. The cash security agreement will be prepared and registered by the borrower’s solicitor.
  2. Security through property (Collateral security): this allows the joint family member(s) to help even if they don’t have spare cash but do have equity in their home. The joint family member agrees to some of the equity in their residential property being used as security. They would do this by giving what is called ‘a legal charge’ over the required amount of equity which means the Society would have specific legal rights over the family member(s) residential property. The amount of the charge will be limited to the value of the security being provided and will be prepared and registered by the borrower’s solicitor.
  3. Or, a combination of options 1 and 2 is available. The minimum amount of each security option is £5,000.

The security noted in the examples above can be used to make up any shortfall (loss) that arises when the property is sold. There are also other circumstances which allow the Society to exercise its rights over the security provided. These will be made clear in the mortgage offer conditions and explained to you by the Solicitor providing legal advice.

What are family members liable for if they provide cash or collateral security?

A family member who provides cash security needs to be fully aware that the cash will be called upon to make up any shortfall if the property is sold in the event of default and the proceeds are less than the mortgage debt plus costs. Where property is provided as security the family member’s residential property may be repossessed by us to recover the debt. Liability is limited to the amount of the security.

All family members will be required to take independent legal advice before the borrower is committed to the purchase.

Can family members help more than one member of their family at the same time?

This may be possible and our mortgage advice team can discuss this option with you. .

Will family members get regular mortgage statements?

Yes. Mortgage statements are sent out annually to all parties named on the mortgage.

Are savings provided as cash security covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme?

Yes.

What happens if the mortgage account goes into arrears?

All borrowers are responsible for ensuring payments are made when due and for the full mortgage amount outstanding, plus interest, costs and expenses. The Loughborough will ensure that all borrowers receive communications relating to the mortgage account and are notified if payments are not kept up to date..

What happens if the property is repossessed?

If the property is repossessed and sold for an amount less than the balance of the mortgage account including fees and charges, the security provided will be called upon.

If a cash security deposit has been provided, the shortfall will be recovered from the Assisted Purchase Deposit Guarantee Account. If collateral security has been provided and unless the shortfall can be met through other means, we are entitled to recover the shortfall by selling the supporting family member’s residential property.

What happens if the supporting family member or if in joint names, one of the supporting family members dies?

The Loughborough will assume power of attorney in accordance with the Security Deposit Agreement (for cash security) or the Collateral Charge document (for a collateral security). The family member’s estate has the option of paying off the security liability and providing that the remaining release conditions are met then the security may be relinquished. This will be explained to you further by your independent legal adviser.

When can family members release their deposit guarantee commitment?

The maximum mortgage term allowed for this product is seven years. If you want to release the deposit guarantee commitment earlier, this can only be done if;
a) The mortgage debt is repaid in full; or
b) A formal request is made on the basis that the release conditions set out in the Agreement and repeated below have been satisfied in full;
I. The borrowers are not in breach of their mortgage terms and conditions; and
II. All monthly mortgage payments have been made in full when due in the previous six months; and
III. The amount of the mortgage debt does not exceed 75% of the open market value based on the valuation undertaken at that time by the Society’s valuer.

Why is independent legal advice needed?

We want to be sure that all parties to the mortgage get independent legal advice to ensure they understand the commitment they are making and the risks involved before entering into a joint borrower/sole proprietor arrangement and/or giving us a legal charge over cash and/or property. To avoid a conflict of interest, supporting family members can’t use the same solicitor who carrying out the conveyancing for the purchaser but it can be another solicitor from the same firm.

Can the property be purchased before the course starts?

You can purchase the property up to 1 year in advance providing a place on the course has been offered and accepted. You can also live away from the property if the course requires a work placement to be undertaking in another town/city. In either case you should consult the local authority for advice on whether an additional licence would be required to allow you to rent out rooms.

What happens when the course ends?

The Buy for Uni mortgage is designed specifically to enable a student to take ownership of a property while studying. The maximum term allowed under the Buy for Uni Mortgage is seven years. Once your studies come to an end, what you do next will affect the mortgage. Whether you intend; keeping the property as your personal residence without tenants, continuing to live in the property with tenants or moving out and converting the mortgage to a Buy to Let you will need to contact us to confirm your decision. The potential options available will depend on individual circumstances.

Please be aware that our FAQs do not cover all aspects of our lending criteria, for further information or guidance please use our online contact form or telephone us on 01509 610707.

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Family Buy to Let FAQ’s https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/family-buy-to-let-faqs Mon, 17 May 2021 09:43:46 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=5932 Your Family Buy to Let questions answered

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To help give you more information and guidance on our Family Buy to Let products, we’ve put together answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions.

How many Buy to Let properties can I have?

To qualify for our Buy to Let mortgages, you can have up to three properties in mortgage with one or more lenders.  More than that would make you a portfolio landlord and we currently don’t lend to portfolio landlords.

Do I have to own my home in order to do a Buy to Let mortgage?

We don’t offer Family Buy to Let mortgages to first time buyers, so you’d need to own your own mortgaged home or have had experience of paying a mortgage in the past.

I want to rent out my current home or a property that I’ve inherited, is this possible?

Yes, if you or a close relative have lived in a property that you now wish to rent out to another family member, you can do so providing your circumstances are within our lending criteria.

Is there a minimum/maximum age to apply for a Buy to Let mortgage?

Yes, you need to be at least 25 years old at the time of application and be no more than 80 years old at the end of the mortgage term.

Do I need to have a minimum income?

Yes, you’d need to earn £25,000 or more to apply for a Buy to Let mortgage. We’d also assess the expected rental income and if this was not enough to cover the mortgage and related expenses, we’d consider using any surplus income you have after all your personal living expenses and financial commitments have been taken care of.

What’s the minimum term of employment or self-employment for Buy to Let?

For self-employed you need to have three years accounts, for those who are employed we’ll consider any term.

Can I rent a house to a close family member such as a parent, brother, sister, child, grandparent, grandchild, step relative or in-law?

Yes, you can rent a house to close family members. This is known as a Family Buy to Let.

Do you allow Houses In Multiple Occupancy (HMO)?

No, we currently don’t offer mortgages on properties that fall under HMO rules. We’ll only lend on properties that are less than three storeys and let to single family units.

Is there a specific type of tenancy agreement I need to have?

Yes, you need to have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement with a term of 6 months (minimum) and 12 months (maximum).

Are there tax implications with Buy to Let properties?

Yes. We’re not tax experts and therefore if you have any questions, you should contact HMRC or someone who specialises in tax advice.

Will you lend to ex-pats?

No, only to UK residents who’ve been in the UK for three years or more.

Please be aware that our FAQs do not cover all aspects of our lending criteria, for further information or guidance please use our online contact form or telephone us on 01509 610707.

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Family Deposit FAQ’s https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/family-deposit-faqs Wed, 17 Feb 2021 14:06:33 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=4264 Your Family Assist questions answered

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To help give you more information and guidance on our Family Deposit mortgages, we’ve put together answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions.

How does the mortgage work?

The principle behind The Loughborough Family Deposit mortgage is simple.  With the help of parents, a step-parent or grandparents you could apply for a mortgage even if you don’t have a deposit.

The mortgage comes with a range of options that mean family members with a variety of circumstances could make it possible for you to get onto the property ladder.

Who can apply for a Family Deposit mortgage?

The Family Deposit mortgage is available to 18+ year old UK residents throughout England and Wales who have sufficient income to afford the mortgage repayments.

How much could I borrow?

We will lend up to 100% of the value of the property, subject to a maximum of £300,000 (£90,000 minimum). The actual amount you can borrow will depend on your income after the deduction of household expenses and other financial commitments.

What security is needed?

Your family member(s) are able to support you by providing security in the form of Cash, Collateral or both.

1. Security through savings: this allows the family member(s) to use their savings to help you (the buyer) without having to ‘give’ the money to you. The family member(s) deposit cash in a specifically designed savings account with the Society. The cash deposited must be for an amount equal to 20% of the value of the property to be purchased.

2. Security through property (collateral): this allows the family member(s) to help even if they don’t have spare cash but do have equity in their home. The family member agrees to some of the equity in their residential property being used as security. They would do this by giving what is called ‘a legal charge’, for an amount of equity equal to 20% of the value of the property to be purchased, which means the Society would have specific legal rights over the family member’s residential property.

3. Or, a combination of options 1 and 2 is available.  The minimum amount of each security option is £5,000.

The security noted in the examples above can be used to make up any shortfall (loss) that arises if the property is sold

Who owns the property?

Like any other mortgage the property is owned by the borrower.  Family members providing support have no rights to the property.

Can more than one set of parents provide support?

This may be possible and our mortgage advice team can discuss this option with you.  All family members providing support would need to agree how the deposit security is split between them and they would all be required to take separate independent legal advice.

Can family members help more than one member of their family at the same time?

Yes, there are no restrictions on the number of family members that can be helped in this way. 

You can help more than one family member with cash as security; however, it will be necessary to have a separate Assisted Purchase Deposit Guarantee Account for each cash security.

Helping more than one family member using collateral security against property would need separate mortgage collateral deeds for each deposit security being provided.  The total of all existing mortgages and all mortgage collateral deeds is strictly limited to a maximum of 75% of the family member’s residential property value.

Are savings provided as cash security covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme?

Yes.

Will family members get regular statements?

No.  Annual mortgage statements will only be provided to the borrower because the family member isn’t responsible for maintaining the monthly mortgage payments.  The family member will, however, be notified if mortgage payments are not made as required.

What are family members liable for?

A family member who provides cash security needs to be fully aware that the cash will be called upon to make up any shortfall if the property is sold in the event of default and the proceeds are less than the mortgage debt plus costs.  Where property is provided as security the family member’s residential property may be repossessed by us to recover the debt. Liability is limited to the amount of the security.

If security is provided by more than one family member, the liability to make up any shortfall will be divided proportionately by reference to the value the respective securities bear to the total value of all additional security linked to the Family Deposit Mortgage.  For example, if the total guarantee provided was £40,000 and family member A provided £30,000 (75%) and family member B provided £10,000 (25%) and the property was repossessed and sold at a loss of £20,000 then family member A would lose £15,000 (75%) and family member B would lose £5,000 (25%).    

All family members will be required to take independent legal advice before the borrower is committed to the purchase.

What happens when the borrower wants to move on to a new house?

The existing property is sold and the mortgage repaid.  Providing the sale proceeds are sufficient to repay the outstanding debt in full, collateral security on property is released and security in the form of cash is returned to the family members. 

What if the borrower decides to sell their home and doesn’t wish to buy another property?

Early Repayment Charges will apply if this occurs during the product term.  Thereafter, the Early Repayment Charges applicable to any subsequent product would apply unless that product term had also come to an end.

How are family members released from their commitment?

The release conditions as detailed in the Security Deposit Agreement (for cash security) or the Collateral Charge document (for a collateral security) must be satisfied. In summary, the family member will be released if;               

a) The mortgage debt under guarantee is repaid in full; or

b) A formal request is made on the basis that the release conditions set out in the Agreement and repeated below have been satisfied in full;          

I. The borrower is not in breach of their mortgage terms and conditions; and         

II. The borrower has made all monthly mortgage payments in full when due in the previous six  months; and

III. The Society is satisfied, acting as a reasonable and prudent lender, that the borrower is able to afford to continue to make monthly payments and discharge their obligations under the mortgage for the remainder of its term; and

IV. The amount of the mortgage debt under guarantee does not exceed 75% of the open market value of the charged property based on the valuation undertaken at that time by the Society’s valuer i.e. the mortgage balance must be no more than 75% of the valuation for mortgage purposes at the time the release request is received.

What happens if the mortgage account goes into arrears?

The borrower is responsible for ensuring payments are made when due and for the full mortgage amount outstanding, plus interest, costs and expenses.  The Loughborough will ensure that family members receive communications relating to the mortgage account and are notified if payments are not kept up to date. 

What happens if the property is repossessed?

If the property is repossessed and sold for an amount less than the balance of the mortgage account including fees and charges, the family member will be liable for the shortfall up to the limit of the security provided.

If a cash security deposit has been provided, the shortfall will be recovered from the Assisted Purchase Deposit Guarantee Account. If collateral security has been provided, the shortfall will be recovered from the proceeds of the sale of the family member’s residential property unless the shortfall can be met through other means.

What happens if the family member or if in joint names, one of the family members dies?

The Loughborough will assume power of attorney in accordance with the Security Deposit Agreement (for cash security) or the Collateral Charge document (for a collateral security).  The family member’s estate has the option of paying off the security liability and providing that the remaining release conditions are met then the security may be relinquished.  This will be explained to you further by your independent legal adviser.

Why do family members need to get independent legal advice?

It is a condition of the mortgage that family members get independent legal advice to ensure they understand the commitment they are making and the risks involved before giving us a legal charge over cash and/or property.  To avoid a conflict of interest, family members can’t use the same solicitor who is conducting the conveyancing on the linked mortgage but it can be another solicitor from the same firm.

Please be aware that our FAQs do not cover all aspects of our lending criteria, for further information or guidance please use our online contact form or telephone us on 01509 610707.

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Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor FAQ’s https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/joint-borrower-sole-proprietor Wed, 27 Jan 2021 08:27:36 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=3519 Your Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor questions answered

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To help give you more information and guidance on our Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor products, we’ve put together answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions.

What is a Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) Mortgage?

JBSP mortgages use the income of a family member to increase the amount you are able to borrow. By combining income, you are able to borrow more. A family member is often parent/child although we will consider other familial relationships. So in the case of parent/child, the child might be the occupier of the property and the parent the support or vice versa.  This means that property ownership may be possible in cases where, without the supporting borrower, it would not

So, does that mean all parties to the mortgage are also owners of the property?

No, only the occupier(s) own the property, the joint borrower(s) not living in the property will be named on the mortgage but have no legal ownership of the property itself.

How many people can be named on the mortgage?

A maximum of 4, this would be 2 owner occupiers and 2 non-occupying joint borrowers. Where there are 2 non-occupying joint borrowers, they must be from the same household.

How much income is required by the owner-occupier applying for a Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor Mortgage?

The owner-occupier must have independent employed, self-employed and/or pension income and must be able to cover a minimum of 25% of the loan amount.

Should all borrowers get legal advice?

Yes, it’s a condition of the mortgage that all borrowers receive independent legal advice before entering into the contract.

What if our circumstances change?

It’s important to understand that all parties named on the mortgage are jointly and severally liable for the mortgage and therefore all borrowers must be comfortable that this, like any mortgage is a long term commitment.  The mortgage will appear on the credit file of all parties. If at some point in the future the non-occupying borrower(s) are to be removed from the mortgage, this would be done by Transfer Of Equity and this would rely on the remaining borrower(s) applying for the mortgage in their name and their circumstances fitting our lending criteria at the time, particularly in terms of affordability.  Additional legal work would be required.

What would happen if one of the borrowers were to die?

If the non-occupying borrower(s) were to die, the responsibility would fall to the remaining borrower(s) to pay the mortgage unless there were life assurance policies in place.  If the occupying borrower(s) were to die, the remaining borrower(s) would be responsible for the mortgage debt unless there was a life assurance policy in place but in this case, you must be aware that whilst the non-occupying borrower(s) are still responsible for the mortgage, they have no entitlement to the property ownership, unless separate legal arrangements are made to this effect.

Please be aware that our FAQs do not cover all aspects of our lending criteria, for further information or guidance please use our online contact form or telephone us on 01509 610707.

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Self Employed Mortgages Support Guide https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/self-employed-mortgages-support Thu, 22 Oct 2020 08:15:47 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=2489 View our support guide for Self Employed Mortgages here

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Whether you’re a sole trader or limited company, a builder, plumber, contractor, techie or gardener, when you work for yourself our mortgages can work for you.
  • We offer you the same competitive mortgage products we offer employed customers.
  • We can consider your retained profits from the latest financial accounts in your business when accessing your income. 
  • You can speak to your dedicated mortgage adviser at any time during the process and at any time in the future
  • Our team of underwriters will access your application on its individual merits
  • We’ll offer you a competitive product replacement when your original one comes to an end

Our mortgages can work for you

We offer the same mortgage products to those who work for themselves as we do to employed borrowers.

Our underwriters assess each individual mortgage application on its own merits.  We don’t use an automated system to make our decisions, our decisions are based on you as an individual.

The following information will help you understand what we need from you in order to give you an individual decision.

We’ll need to assess and verify your income

One of the challenges you may face is proving your income is sufficient to pay your monthly mortgage payments.

  • Self-employed income can vary, so if you have one bad year it could affect your ability to borrow the amount you need.
  • If your business is still growing your income averaged over three years may not be representative of what you can achieve going forward.
  • Your accountant may advise you to reduce your income for tax reasons. Whilst this is entirely legal it does mean on paper your income is far less than you actually earn.
  • If you’re a Director of a Limited Company, we look at different ways of assessing your income – such as your net profit, or Director’s remuneration and dividends both of which could significantly affect how much you can borrow.
  • Limited Liability Partnerships share the business’s profits between the partners, and each pays tax on their share.  Each year, the partnership must send a Partnership Tax Return to the Inland Revenue. Additionally, each partner must also send an annual Personal Tax return, pay income tax on their share of the partnership’s profits and pay National Insurance. As partners’ income can be made up of unpredictable drawings rather than an income that is guaranteed, it can be difficult for some lenders to assess what a partner can borrow. Our mortgage advisers are very familiar with lending to partners and will be able to help you understand the options available to you.

The information we’ll need you to provide

Accounts

  • You’ll need to provide two or three years of audited accounts.
  • If you’re a Limited Company, we’ll consider your net profits and take into account Director’s remuneration plus dividends. If you’re in a Partnership we’ll look at your share of income.

Tax

  • SA302/Tax Calculation and Tax Year Overview forms are acceptable these can be obtained from HMRC.
  • We’ll need to see Tax Calculation (SA302) and Tax Year Overview documents covering the last three tax years.
  • An assessment of retained profits can’t be made from an SA302 so would require either the full accounts or an accountant’s certificate.

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Existing Borrower FAQ’s https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/existing-borrower-faqs Fri, 16 Oct 2020 12:31:51 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=1926 Your Existing Borrower questions answered

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To help give you more information and guidance on our Existing Borrower products, we’ve put together answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions.

What help can I get if I find myself in financial difficulty?

At The Loughborough we understand that people’s circumstances change, and we’ll do everything we can when we know you’re having problems.

If you’re struggling to meet your monthly repayments, it’s important you let us know. Just email [email protected] or give us a call on 01509 631952.

Our Mortgage Services Team is currently available from 09:30 to 16:30 Monday to Friday. 

You can also get free, confidential and impartial advice from an independent organisation, see the list below:

Payplan – 0800 280 2816 www.payplan.com

National Debtline – 0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.org

Advice UK – You’ll need to locate the number of your local advice centre from the phone book or via this link www.adviceuk.org.uk

Step Change Debt Charity – 0800 138 1111 www.stepchange.org

Citizens Advice Bureau – You’ll need to locate the number of your local bureau from the phone book or via this link www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Money Helper – 0800 011 3797 www.moneyhelper.org.uk

Please be aware that there are companies that charge a fee for managing your debts. If you intend using the services of on of these companies you should find out about any charges which may be applicable and fully understand any agreement terms.

If I move house, can I take my current mortgage with me?

In the main, our mortgage products aren’t portable which means that if you move house, you’ll need to take a product from our range at the time of application for your new mortgage.  However, as a current borrower, it may be possible for you to move home without incurring Early Repayment Charges on your current product (T&Cs apply).

Please contact our Mortgage Advice Team on 01509 389282 or email [email protected] for further information.

What happens if I’ve made a mortgage payment after my mortgage has been redeemed?

A refund will be sent to your acting solicitor for them to forward on to you.  In most cases, where solicitors deal with redemption of a mortgage, the borrowers have moved house and the Society will not have a record of the new address.  If the overpayment was in the form of a direct debit payment, your bank may be able to arrange to recall the payment for you immediately under the terms of the ‘Direct Debit Guarantee scheme’.  Your bank will be able to supply you with further details.

What happens to the title deeds to my house once I have redeemed my mortgage?

Once you’ve paid off your mortgage, you can collect your deeds from one of our branches.  If you’re unable to visit a branch, we’ll send your title deeds to you by registered post.

I want to redeem my mortgage – are there any charges or fees to pay?

That’ll depend on the type of mortgage product you have.  Some products do have an Early Repayment Charge during the initial incentive period (e.g. fixed or discounted rate), a smaller number have additional Early Repayment Charges after the incentive period.

In all cases, we’ll charge interest to the day of redemption upon full redemption of your mortgage.

We also charge a Redemption Administration fee.  Details of all our current charges can be found in our Tariff of Charges.  For more information on the charges or fees you may have to pay when redeeming your mortgage, contact our Mortgage Admin Team on 01509 631961 or by email at [email protected]

What charges might apply to my mortgage account?

Charges may apply when you ask for certain changes to be made to your account, request specific documents or when your account is in arrears. This is to cover the Society’s additional costs in administering your account.  If you wish, you can choose to add these charges to your mortgage account.  However, you should consider carefully before adding any charges to your mortgage as these will incur interest charges at the rate of interest applicable to your mortgage account. 

Details of our current charges can be found in our Tariff of Charges. For more information on the charges you may have to pay, contact our Mortgage Admin Team on 01509 631961 or email [email protected]

Can I change the repayment method on my mortgage?

This may be possible subject to certain criteria.

If you transfer your mortgage to an interest only mortgage, your mortgage payments won’t include the costs of any repayment plan* needed to repay the amount borrowed plus any interest that may have accrued.  

* It is your responsibility to regularly check the performance of any investment you plan to use to repay your mortgage, to see whether it’s likely to be adequate to repay the capital and, where applicable, pay the interest accrued at the end of the term of the mortgage contract. The Society will need you to confirm your repayment plan which must meet the Society’s Lending Criteria.

Call us on 01509 389282 or email [email protected] to talk to one of our friendly advisers. Alternatively, you can request a call back at a time convenient to you.

Can I remove or add a name to my mortgage account?

If you need to remove or add a name from your mortgage you’ll need to contact the Mortgage Advice team on 01509 389282 or email [email protected].

What if I need to change the terms of the mortgage?

If you need to change the term of your mortgage, add or remove a borrower, change your repayment method or update us on any other changes please contact our to friendly Mortgage Advice Team on 01509 389282 or email [email protected]

Can I borrow more to improve my home?

If you want to improve your home or raise money for other eligible reasons we’re here to help you.

Just call us on 01509 389282 to talk to one of our friendly Mortgage Advice Team. Alternatively you can email [email protected] or you can request a call back at a time convenient to you.

Are there any fees when switching to a new mortgage deal?

Depending on the mortgage product taken, there may be a product fee to pay.  If you wish, you can choose to add the fee to your mortgage account. 

For further information call our Mortgage Advice Team on 01509 389282 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, you can request a call back at a time convenient to you.

What happens at the end of the discounted or fixed rate period?

When your initial fixed or discounted rate is nearing the end of its term, as part of our commitment to provide our members with long term value, we’ll contact you to let you know about member exclusive product offers which will be available for you to switch to.  If you decide not to take up the offer of a new product, your rate will revert to our standard variable rate for the remaining mortgage term.

Can I change the name/s on my mortgage account?

Yes. If you need to change the name/s on your mortgage, for example in the event of divorce, marriage or you have changed your name by deed poll, you’ll need to send a certified copy of your marriage certificate or a certified copy of the Deed Poll document or a certificated copy of your Decree Absolute to the Society and your account will be amended.

To change the name(s) on your mortgage account, please get in touch with our Mortgage Admin Team on 01509 631961 or email [email protected]

Can I change my payment date if I pay by Direct Debit?

Yes. In general it’s possible to change your direct debit to be paid on the day you prefer. You must still make a payment within the same month and generally before the 28th to ensure your payment reaches us in good time.  

Our collection dates range from the 1st to the 28th of the month.

To change your direct debit payment date, please get in touch with our Mortgage Admin Team on 01509 631961 or email  [email protected]

I’m in the Armed Forces, can I rent out my house while I’m posted overseas?

Yes, The Loughborough is committed to supporting the Armed Forces Covenant.

For more information please get in touch with one of our friendly Mortgage Advice Team by calling 01509 389282 or email [email protected]

I’m not in the Armed Forces, can I rent out my house?

Yes, it may be possible.  However, your mortgage will need to fit certain criteria and your circumstances will need to be fully assessed before a decision can be made.

You must always advise us and obtain our written permission before you rent out your property.

Call us on 01509 631961 or email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help. Alternatively, you can request a call back at a time convenient to you.

Please be aware that our FAQs do not cover all aspects of our lending criteria, for further information or guidance please use our online contact form or telephone us on 01509 610707.

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Buy to Let FAQ’s https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/buy-to-let-faqs Fri, 16 Oct 2020 12:29:41 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=2019 Your Buy to Let questions answered

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To help give you more information and guidance on our Buy to Let and Holiday Let products, we’ve put together answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions.

How many Buy to Let properties can I have?

To qualify for more than one of our Buy to Let mortgages, you must have had a previous or current residential mortgage. You can have up to three Buy to Let properties in mortgage with one or more lenders.  More than that would make you a portfolio landlord and we currently don’t lend to portfolio landlords.

Do I have to own my home in order to do a Buy to Let mortgage?

No, we’re happy to lend to First Time Buyers.

I want to rent out my current home or a property that I’ve inherited, is this possible?

Yes, if you or a close relative have lived in a property that you now wish to rent out to tenants, you can do so providing your circumstances are within our lending criteria.

Is there a minimum/maximum age to apply for a Buy to Let mortgage?

Yes, you need to be at least 25 years old at the time of application and be no more than 80 years old at the end of the mortgage term.

Do I need to have a minimum income?

Yes, you’d need to earn £25,000 or more to apply for a Buy to Let mortgage. We’d also assess the expected rental income and if this was not enough to cover the mortgage and related expenses, we’d consider using any surplus income you have after all your personal living expenses and financial commitments have been taken care of.

What’s the minimum term of employment or self-employment for Buy to Let?

For self-employed you need to have three years accounts, for those who are employed we’ll consider any term.

Can I rent a house to a close family member such as a parent, brother, sister, child, grandparent, grandchild, step relative or in-law?

Yes, you can rent a house to close family members as long as you’re not a First Time Buyer.  This is known as a Family Buy to Let.

Do you lend to Limited Companies?

No, we currently don’t lend to Limited Companies, only individuals.

Do you allow Houses In Multiple Occupancy (HMO)?

No, we currently don’t offer mortgages on properties that fall under HMO rules. We’ll only lend on properties that are less than three storeys and let to single family units.

Is there a specific type of tenancy agreement I need to have?

Yes, you need to have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement with a term of 6 months (minimum) and 12 months (maximum). This Excludes Holiday Lets.

Are there tax implications with Buy to Let properties?

Yes. We’re not tax experts and therefore if you have any questions, you should contact HMRC or someone who specialises in tax advice.

Will you lend to ex-pats?

No, only to UK residents who’ve been in the UK for three years or more.

Are there any properties excluded from Holiday Let Mortgages?

Yes, we exclude the following property types: holiday park properties, mobile homes, static non-permanent structures, multiple occupancy (a property divided into separate ‘flats’ or with more than 5 bedrooms) and others not already matching the accepted property types for existing Buy to Let, Guest-houses.

Can the owner of the Holiday Let use the property themselves?

Yes, the owner can use the property themselves for up to 60 days per year.

Please be aware that our FAQs do not cover all aspects of our lending criteria, for further information or guidance please use our online contact form or telephone us on 01509 610707.

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Borrowing into Retirement FAQ’s https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/borrowing-into-retirement-faqs Fri, 16 Oct 2020 10:40:55 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=1995 Your Borrowing into Retirement questions answered

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To help give you more information and guidance on our Borrowing into Retirement products, we’ve put together answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions.

How much can I borrow?

The minimum loan we’ll consider is £25,000 and the maximum is £500,000. This is subject to the loan equalling no more than 60% of the valuation or purchase price of the property (whichever is the lower).  This of course will depend on whether the amount proves to be affordable based on an assessment of your income and outgoings.

What income can be used to assess the affordability of the mortgage?

We can use pension income, self-employed income, employed income, investment income or a combination of these.

What happens if I’m working now but will retire during the term of the mortgage?

We’ll consider your application taking into account your ability to pay the mortgage both now and in the future by looking at your current income and projections of the income you’ll have in retirement.

Can the mortgage be in joint names?

Yes.

Can I borrow money for purposes other than home improvements?

Yes.  There are a number of reasons you may wish to borrow money and we’ll consider lending for the purchase of a car, caravan, the deposit on another property, assisting family members, care home fees and consolidating other financial commitments.

Can I apply for a mortgage to do some improvements to my current home?

Yes, it is possible to borrow money to make improvements to your property whether that means taking a mortgage out on the property that you currently own outright or by moving your mortgage to us and borrowing more than your current mortgage amount to pay for the improvements.

What happens if I die before the end of the mortgage?

For any borrower of any age, we’d encourage you to take life assurance which would pay the mortgage off in full or in part at the time of death. However, if there was no life assurance in place, the mortgage debt could be paid from the sale of the property.

If the mortgage was in joint names and one of us died, what would happen to the mortgage?

When considering the application we would assess the affordability of each applicant should they survive the other, perhaps pension income would transfer to the survivor or the survivor would have enough income in their own right to afford the mortgage payments. If this wasn’t the case, we’d ask you to take legal advice before entering into the mortgage contract as it would be the obligation of the surviving borrower to continue to pay the monthly mortgage payments. You may consider the possibility of adding another family member to the mortgage or selling the property at this point.

Can I discuss this with someone without obligation?

Yes of course. We have qualified Mortgage Advisors who’d be delighted to explain borrowing into retirement in more detail for you and answer any further questions you may have.  You can either speak to them on the telephone by calling 01509 389282 or if you prefer, you could arrange to speak to them in person.

Please be aware that our FAQs do not cover all aspects of our lending criteria, for further information or guidance please use our online contact form or telephone us on 01509 610707.

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Guide to buying your first home https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/guide-to-buying-your-first-home Thu, 15 Oct 2020 14:58:05 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=1959 View our First Time Buyer guide here

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Forward planning – Tips

  • Build up a good savings balance – you’ll usually need a deposit of 5% or more of the property value
  • Opening a monthly savings account might help you save towards your goal
  • Remember that your loans and credit card debts will be taken into consideration when calculating the amount you can borrow
  • Check your credit file because mortgage lenders will take this into account when deciding if and how much you can borrow
  • Find out the costs involved in buying a property, including moving costs and legal fees
  • Consider your household bills and perhaps ask others to help you estimate if you’re not used to these outgoings
  • Consider the location and local amenities as you might want to stay put for a while

How can I check my credit rating?

You can check your credit file by contacting a credit agency such as Experian or Equifax, most now offer this service free of charge.

Polish up your credit rating, it will help if you

  • Register to vote at your current address
  • Keep up with all repayments and pay on time. Ensure that you remain within your credit limit as lenders will want to know that you’re not overstretched financially and how you conduct your finances will be an indicator to the lender of how you’re likely to conduct your mortgage account
  • Close unused credit accounts as lenders can take into account the credit limits available to you, not just what you currently owe. Try to keep the balances on your cards to less than 25% of the credit limit
  • Don’t make multiple credit applications in a short space of time as this could be seen by potential lenders as a sign of financial stress, or even fraud
  • Protect your identity. Look out for unfamiliar or suspicious entries on your credit report or bank statement
  • Try not to chop and change current accounts too often

What you can afford

Before you start looking for a property to buy, you need to work out exactly what you can afford. You could talk to our Mortgage Advice team at The Loughborough about your mortgage as early as possible. Your mortgage adviser will take you through the application process and will calculate the amount you can afford to borrow based on your income after the deduction of those expenses and commitments.

Finding the right home

When you’re considering buying a new home, there are a number of things you may want to look at before making your decision:

  • You may want to find a job in a certain area or move to somewhere that has better schools or more green spaces
  • Create a Viewing Checklist that describes the kind of home you want and your preferred location
  • Do your homework to get an idea of what’s available
  • Compare prices and get in touch with a few local estate agents, look in local newspapers, drive around the area and search online. One good property website that many estate agents advertise their properties on is Rightmove.co.uk
  • When you get to the stage of looking at properties, take someone with you as they may pick up things you miss, and you can discuss it with them later on and make sure you have a second viewing at a different time on another day
  • Try to see beyond décor, you’ll want to put your own stamp on it so don’t worry if the walls are painted a colour you dislike

Here are some key points to consider when buying a new build home:

  • Study the plans and room sizes as these may be smaller than a show house
  • Research the surrounding area, services and amenities
  • Check if the property has a warranty such as National House Building Council Certificate or a Premier Guarantee

Remember that the estate agent acts for the seller and not for you and that a basic mortgage valuation is for the lender’s benefit and is not a full survey of the property condition.

It might be worth considering paying for your own survey, but make sure you ask lots of questions, such as:

  • What’s included in the sale?
  • Why are the sellers moving?
  • Are there any alterations and if there are, was planning permission required?
  • How old is the boiler and when was it last serviced?
  • How much is the council tax and what are the average utility costs?

Consider whether there is enough storage, if the garden is too large or too small, whether the property needs updating and if so, whether you have the funds and/or expertise to complete the work, if the rooms are big enough for your needs, if there are any damp smells and whether or not the windows and electrics are in good condition.

Time to make an offer

When you’re sure you’ve found the right property, it’s time to make an offer. This is a big step and you need to make sure you’re ready. Having answers to the following questions will make it easier for you:

  • What’s the maximum amount you can spend on your new home?
  • What percentage of the property price will you need a mortgage for (loan to value)?
  • Have you got a decision in principle of your mortgage with The Loughborough?
  • What’s your timescale for the move?
  • How much are you willing to offer and how much are you willing to negotiate?
  • Are any fixtures and fittings included in the sale?
  • Talk to the estate agent to find out as much as possible, for example, whether the seller wants to move quickly or has found a property to move to

Remember, estate agents work for the seller and are often trying to get the best deal for them rather than you.  They’ll also expect you to confirm you have a mortgage in principle (subject to full underwriting)

When you make the offer, get in touch with the seller’s estate agent and tell them how much you would like to offer. If they don’t accept, you can increase the offer, but make sure it’s within your budget.

Arranging protection for your home and family

Buying a home is a complex and expensive process and, as a first-time buyer, you’ll find there’s a lot to understand.  That’s why we want to help keep the process as simple as possible.

All lenders insist on buildings insurance to cover the property in case the building is damaged or destroyed. You don’t have to buy it from your lender, so shop around to get the best deal for you.

One thing that is often overlooked is protecting your belongings so do consider insuring your home’s contents

If you can’t work because of an accident, illness or redundancy, your lender will still expect you to continue paying your mortgage. There are a number of products you can buy to help with your repayments but check out when they pay out and how long for. 

As difficult as it might be to think about, you should also carefully consider what would happen to those you leave behind if you were to pass away or become critically ill during the mortgage term. The price of protection is often less than you might think and never too expensive to give you and your loved one’s peace of mind.

The legal process

The legal work to transfer a property is called conveyancing. Conveyancing is the process of legally transferring ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer.

Starting the legal process
Ensure that you’re happy with the contract and understand it before you exchange, so keep track of what your conveyancer is doing. Make sure you understand what charges you’ll incur.

Arranging your mortgage
It’s a good idea to research this as early as possible. If you haven’t got a decision in principle from your mortgage provider which outlines the amount you can borrow, you should contact them now.

Get a survey
Check the building is sound. Your mortgage provider will arrange a basic mortgage valuation but that is not a full survey of the condition of the property.  There are different levels of survey so please do talk to your mortgage provider to decide which option you might be most comfortable with.

If you want work done before the sale goes through, or you want to negotiate a reduction in price, ask your conveyancer to negotiate this with the seller’s conveyancer and estate agent.

After acceptance of the offer
The seller’s estate agent will contact you to confirm the offer has been accepted. On receipt, give the estate agent your conveyancer’s name and contact details. Give your conveyancer details of the property, the estate agent, the price and your mortgage lender. If you don’t already have a conveyancer or a mortgage lender, you need to organise this now.

If you haven’t already, you’ll need to get a formal mortgage offer sorted out quickly. If you already have a Decision in Principle, getting a formal offer should be straightforward, subject to a satisfactory valuation of the property and status checks.

Once you’ve accepted, the property might still be advertised as ‘sold subject to contract’ or ‘under offer’. However, either you or the seller could pull out without penalty up to the point of exchanging contracts.

When you exchange contracts, you make a financial and legal commitment.

Exchanging Contracts

These are the last stages in the legal process. Exchanging contracts means that the buyer and the seller are both legally committed to the sale.  When the buyer and seller are happy with its contents, they sign final copies of the contract and send them to each other. This is called the exchange of contracts. 

Once contracts are exchanged, the agreement to sell and buy is legally binding and usually neither party can pull out without paying compensation.

Preparing for exchange of contracts

Once your conveyancer has all the details they need, they’ll send you a pre-contract report and a copy of the registered title. If you’re happy with everything, you need to approve the contract by signing it.

Exchange

Your conveyancer and the seller’s conveyancer will swap or ‘exchange’ contracts. Your conveyancer will transfer your deposit to the seller’s solicitor and arrange a date of completion.

If you pull out at this point, you could lose your deposit. Other cost may also need to be paid/repaid.

Preparing for completion

Ask your conveyancer what you need to do and when. Your conveyancer will:

  • Check with the Land Registry to make sure the title of the property is OK
  • Prepare the Transfer Deed to transfer ownership
  • Make the final arrangements for payment, including drawing down the mortgage funds for you
  • Prepare final accounts for you including details of any further money needed from you
  • Once you have exchanged contracts, you’re responsible for the property’s building insurance so make sure you’re covered in case anything happens before completion

Completing on your new home

With all the paperwork out of the way, it’s time to move into your new home. 

Four weeks before moving:

  • Have you confirmed the date you’ll be moving in?
  • Have you booked time off work?
  • Have you started thinking about and planning your removal?  Get more than one quote as prices differ considerably
  • Does your home contents insurance cover you for the move?  If not, have you arranged for separate cover?
  • Have you put together a moving pack with all the essentials you’ll need such as a kettle, mugs, light bulbs, toilet paper?
  • Have you let all your telephone, utility companies, bank and other key parties know when you’re moving?

Two weeks before moving:

  • Have you told your local authority your new address and moving date?
  • Have you redirected your post (if appropriate)?
  • Have you arranged to take over the phone in your new home?  Contact the line operator to see if you can keep the line switched on and avoid any reconnection charges

One week before moving:

  • Have you packed the majority of your items?
  • Do you know what time you’ll be able to move?
  • Have you confirmed all details with your removal company?
  • Have you asked the previous owners to show you where the gas, electricity and water meters are, and where you can find the fuse box and stopcocks?
  • Are all the window and door keys labelled and easily available?

Day before moving:

  • Have you packed a moving day survival kit with all you need such as tea and coffee etc?
  • Have you settled all your bills?

Completion day checklist:

  • Has your conveyancer transferred payment to the seller?  If you have a mortgage, this money will have been sent from your lender to your conveyancer
  • Have you received the keys to the property?
  • Has your conveyancer received the Transfer Deed, originals of any important documents, and registered you as the owner?
  • Has your conveyancer completed a tax return to pay the Stamp Duty Land Tax where applicable?  You’ll need to sign this before sending
  • Read the meters in your new and old homes

You can find more information and answers to some questions you may have in our First Time Buyer FAQs  or if you require any further information or guidance about buying your first home, please use our online contact form.

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Mortgage Terms and Conditions https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/mortgage-terms-and-conditions Thu, 15 Oct 2020 14:04:22 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=1944 View our Mortgage Terms and Conditions here

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Tariff of Mortgage Charges https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/tariff-of-mortgage-charges Thu, 15 Oct 2020 12:24:50 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=1897 View our Mortgage Tariff Charges here

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Guide to moving your mortgage https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgages/guide-to-moving-your-mortgage Tue, 30 Jun 2020 14:59:19 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=891 View our guide to Moving your Mortgage here

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Why remortgage?

Remortgaging means switching your current mortgage to another mortgage lender, without moving house.

You may be thinking of remortgaging for a number of reasons including; saving money if you’re coming to the end of your current mortgage deal or paying a high rate of interest; raising additional money to improve your home or for other reasons such as changing the term, the repayment type or parties to your current mortgage.

Costs of remortgaging

You should consider carefully your reasons for remortgaging as you may incur costs in transferring your mortgage from one lender to another.

Your current mortgage provider may charge you an Early Repayment Charge and/or a Redemption Administration fee, discharge fees and a deeds release fee.

Plus when remortgaging to a new mortgage provider you may have to pay:

  • A valuation fee
  • An arrangement or booking fee
  • Legal fees
  • And other related fees.

Repaying your mortgage

There are three basic ways of repaying your mortgage: repayment, interest only or part repayment/part interest only.

  • With a repayment mortgage, also known as a Capital and Interest mortgage, you pay off interest on the loan and a portion of the capital each month. Providing all of the monthly repayments are paid in full and on time, you’ll gradually pay off the entire amount borrowed, as well as the interest, over the life of the mortgage.
  • With an interest only mortgage the payments you make each month only cover the interest on the loan. You’ll still owe the amount borrowed (‘the capital’) at the end of the mortgage term. It’s your responsibility to make sure that you have a suitable repayment plan* in place to repay the capital at the end of the mortgage term.
  • Part repayment/part interest only mortgage – this is where a portion of the loan is on a repayment basis and the remainder is on an interest only basis. Our interest only rules apply to the interest only element of the loan (see above for details).

* A repayment plan could include a savings or investment plan, such as an endowment policy, an ISA or a pension designed to repay the balance of a mortgage at the end of its term.

If you require any further information or guidance about moving your mortgage please use our online contact form or telephone us on 01509 610707.

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Mortgages for the Armed Forces https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/support-centre/mortgage-support/mortgages-for-the-armed-forces Tue, 19 May 2020 14:09:47 +0000 https://www.theloughborough.co.uk/?p=2194 Our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant

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Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.  The Building Society Association has been working with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that service personnel are not disadvantaged when it comes to applying for financial products.

The Loughborough is committed to the Armed Forces Covenant which has specific benefits for those members of our Armed Forces who wish to buy their own home.  For example, mortgage providers like us have agreed that if you’re posted overseas you’ll be able to rent out your home without facing higher mortgage costs or having to change your mortgage product.

We can help

Treating people as individuals is what we do at The Loughborough, so when it comes to mortgages we’ll talk to you one to one so we can understand your individual needs.  If having been overseas means you don’t have a recent UK address history our approach means that shouldn’t be an issue and we recognise and accept the Forces Help to Buy scheme.

Our full range of mortgages is available to you to ensure you get the right solution for your needs.

You can find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant on the Government’s website and there are also some useful tips in the ‘Financial top tips for service personnel’ publication.

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