I was approached by a couple who were first-time buyers, looking to purchase their current rented property on the right to buy scheme. The applicants had approached their bank, which couldn’t help them with the mortgage. Both applicants are non-UK nationals, and applicant two didn’t have indefinite leave to remain at the time of application, with the visa running out within a few months and currently on a spousal visa. This was a challenge in itself, with most high-street banks and building societies needing indefinite leave to remain and full settled status. Furthermore, applicant one was a temporary worker on a zero-hours contract. Thankfully, having advised a number of clients over the years on all three of these points, I was able to place the case with a high-street lender offering a very competitive product. The application was submitted efficiently, and the case went to offer within 48 hours after submission, with the lender carrying out a physical valuation during this time.
