Can I get a mortgage without my wife?

A reader from Winchester wants to get a home loan, but only have his income and credit rating – and not his wife's – checked by the mortgage lender. But he does not know if this is possible.

Andy King, senior lending manager at Stroud & Swindon Building Society, takes him through the problem and what it means to his finances.

Sat from Winchester asks:

I am planning to take a home loan. I am married and we live together, but I would still like to take it on my own not involving my wife.

While assessing me for eligibility, do you think her credit rating will still be looked at because we are living in the same house?

Thanks,

Sat

Andy at Stroud & Swindon Building Society replies:

If you apply for the home loan by yourself and your salary provides you with sufficient income multiples to purchase the property, this should be no problem.

As a lender, we would only look at your creditworthiness if you were purchasing the property on your own.

The only exception to this rule is if you had previously entered into a borrowing or credit agreement, such as a mortgage or personal loan, jointly with your wife.

This would then become part of your credit record and how this had been handled would have some bearing on your ability to borrow.

If you have a question for Andy or our team of mortgage experts, go to the myfinances.co.uk Ask the Mortgage Expert section.

For more information on the issues discussed here, go to Stroud & Swindon Building Society.

Stroud & Swindon Building Society is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is a member of the Building Societies Association and subscriber to The Banking Code.