Mortgage Capacity Reports for divorce and separation

A fixed fee of £249 per report. The fee is the same whatever the report concludes.

A mortgage capacity letter, sometimes called a broker’s certificate, usually gives one headline figure. My report goes further. It shows the range across lenders, how your income has been treated, the monthly cost, buy-out figures if you want to keep the home, the documents I checked and every assumption I made, and it’s signed with a statement of truth. That gives your solicitor, mediator and the court far more to rely on.

Usually during financial remedy proceedings after a divorce or the end of a civil partnership. In England and Wales, the Financial Remedies Court expects both parties to file brief indicative material about their borrowing capacity at least 14 days before the First Appointment, and fuller evidence is often needed before the FDR. Many people also use a report in mediation, or to negotiate a settlement without going to court.

No. It’s my professional opinion of what you could borrow at the date of the report, based on lenders’ criteria and the evidence you provide. Any mortgage application would still need the lender’s full checks, credit search and valuation.

Courts expect each party to provide brief evidence of their borrowing capacity before the First Appointment, and my report is written for that purpose. It includes the documents relied on, the assumptions made, a range across lenders, declarations and a statement of truth. If the court gives permission for expert evidence, I can prepare it to the standard of Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules and Practice Direction 25B.

Possibly. To keep the family home you would normally need to take the mortgage into your sole name and borrow enough to buy out your ex-partner’s share, and a lender has to be satisfied you can afford it on your own. My report sets out the buy-out figure for different equity splits, including any early repayment charges, and says whether each one looks achievable.

It depends on your income, your outgoings and credit commitments, your credit history, your deposit or share of the equity, and each lender’s rules. Lenders differ in how they treat things like child maintenance, Child Benefit, Universal Credit, overtime and bonus, so the same person can get quite different figures. My report shows the figure from each lender I assess and explains what drives the difference.

For early, indicative evidence it can sometimes be enough. But one bank’s figure or an online calculator only reflects that lender, and it doesn’t show the workings. When the figure matters to your settlement, a report that compares lenders and sets out its assumptions gives everyone more to rely on.

Usually photo ID, proof of address, your last 3 months’ payslips and your P60 (or 2 years’ SA302s and tax year overviews if you’re self-employed), 3 months’ bank statements, any benefit award letters, maintenance evidence, a full credit report and your current mortgage statement. The request form gives you a list tailored to your situation.

Normally 3 months from the date of the report, or until your circumstances or lenders’ criteria change. I can update it if your case runs longer.

Yes. I can prepare a joint report for two applicants, or a report instructed jointly by both parties’ solicitors.

The report will say so clearly and explain why, for example because of credit history or income type. It will also set out what could help, such as a family member joining the mortgage, a longer term or a different settlement.

No. I’m based in Fareham and help people in Portsmouth, Southampton, Gosport, Winchester and across Hampshire, but everything can be done by phone, video call, email and my secure client portal, so I can prepare your report wherever you live in the UK.

No. You’re under no obligation. If you would like me to arrange your mortgage when the time comes, I’d be glad to help.