Ask the experts

About our experts...

At John Charcol, we are constantly asked for advice by borrowers on what they should do when it comes to mortgages. As such, we created this section so that you can submit your questions to our experts. The answers are provided by a number of people who have years of experience in the mortgage market. The team is led by Peter Woodward who works in our technical department. Peter spent his formative years as an underwriter with one of the major UK lenders so what he doesn't know, quite frankly, isn't worth knowing...

So please do submit your question and we will do all we can to answer it as quickly as possible

Please be aware that these answers can only be generic and no personal recommendations can be made.

Difficulty agreeing sale of matrimonial home after divorce

Posted on 11 September 2009

My ex wife and myself seperated 18 months ago and divorced a year ago. No children both working full time marriage only lasted 2 years. She is living in the jointly owned marital home I have still paid half the £1250 per month...

Category: Legal matters, Separation or Divorce

Buying property now to retire to

Posted on 3 April 2009

I have equity of 130000 in a property valued at 150000. I want to buy a second property to retire to in 3 years when I will be 60. In the meantime I would like to rent out this second property.

I have an income of £48000 and...

Category: Buy-to-let, Interest only vs repayment, Legal matters, Remortgaging, Tax issues

Spouse to be Jointly Owning a Property with Ex Partner

Posted on 11 February 2009

MY PARTNER HAS BEEN DIVORCED JUST OVER A YR BUT STILL HAS A JOINT MORTGAGE AND DEEDS TO A HOUSE HIS EX STILL LIVES IN. WE ARE SET TO MARRY SOON WILL THIS POTENTIALLY AFFECT ME OR WOULD I BE ENTITLED TO ANY OF THE HOUSE. IF WE HAD...

Category: Legal matters, Separation or Divorce, Special circumstances

Can I help my retired parents by buying a flat on their behalf as a buy-to-let and rent it to them?

Posted on 28 December 2007

My parents are selling their house to buy a retirement flat from a friend. They must complete the deal before the end of March 2008 or they will lose it. Their house is on the market at £125,000 and they are buying at £99,000...

Category: Buy-to-let, Legal matters, Mortgages in retirement

Does my mother in law have the right, as the major shareholder, to force her daughter to put the property on the market?

Posted on 21 October 2007

My mother in law purchased a £120.000 property with her daughter after her husband died. My mother in law paid 60% cash outright and sister in law has a mortgage for the remainder. They are now not getting along and the daughter...

Category: Legal matters

My ex-partner has not made a mortgage payment for 6 months and yet wants half the equity, can I claim half these repayments back?

Posted on 13 October 2007

Me and my partner split after his affairs (he walked out). He has refused to pay his half of the mortgage for at least 6 months. It is a joint mortgage. He wants half the equity when we sell the house. Can I claim back his half...

Category: Legal matters, Separation or Divorce

Answers provided in response to Ask the experts are based on the information provided and do not constitute advice under the Financial Services & Markets Act. They reflect the personal views of the authors and do not neccessarily represent the views, positions, strategies or opinions of John Charcol Limited. All comments are made in good faith, and John Charcol Limited will not accept liability for them.

We recommend you seek professional advice with regard to any of these topics where appropriate.