UK - Mortgage initially refused for hosting Ukraine refugees

[~ True Legend ~]

Halifax has apologised for rejecting a customer's mortgage application because the home owner is hosting two Ukrainian refugees.

Mortgage refused 'for hosting Ukrainian refugees'

Halifax apologises to a Money Box listener after rejecting his home loan application.

www.bbc.co.uk

Halifax sent someone to value Dominik's home.

He said: "We spoke directly with the valuer before, when he came and looked at our house."

But Dominik said "When we contacted the Halifax through our broker they said they could not provide us with a mortgage because we were providing accommodation to a Ukrainian family and therefore there was a significant risk that we would rent out the room commercially in the future.

Halifax has since apologised for "the confusion" after being contacted by Money Box and has offered Dominik a mortgage deal.

But Dominik claims the only reason Halifax backed down is because Money Box started to investigate. "We raised it twice with the Halifax through our mortgage broker and nothing changed," he said.

"It is very unfortunate that it took Money Box to get a response."