Gambling Affect Mortgage Application
Applying for a mortgage can be a tricky process for anybody, no matter what their age or financial situation. There are multiple factors that can affect a mortgage application, some of which you may not have considered previously.
One of the first things a lender will look at is your credit score. Again, this can be affected by various circumstances, but you may not have considered that a leisurely gambling habit could have its own consequences.
The mortgage application process
Gambling and mortgage applications generally don’t mix, so getting a mortgage if you gamble can be difficult, as many lenders deem such activity as a high indication of risk, so there is a higher chance of being refused mortgage due to gambling. The most common issues we are asked about are.
When you first apply for a mortgage, your chosen lender will assess your household income including your basic salary plus any extra income such as freelancing or benefits.
Does gambling affect a mortgage application? Generally speaking, gambling and mortgages do not mix well. Taking out a mortgage means that a bank or building society trusts that you’re able to pay the money back. But if they see that you’re an active gambler, then this may go against your application. Gambling is the latest target of banks in the new world of mortgage lending, as many lenders are now questioning betting habits great and small. Mortgage brokers are warning prospective home. But he says there are red flags which may lead the bank to turn down a mortgage application. These include an online gambling habit with the evidence contained in credit card and bank statements. While gambling is a glaring problem, mortgage lenders are also reportedly looking at mobile phone and cable TV bills when evaluating a borrower’s level of distress. I guess you may need to give up both HBO and your iPhone if you want to get help from your mortgage lender or the government.
During this process, the lender will ask for documentation of your bank accounts, including copies of your statements for the past three to six months. Here, they'll be able to see your regular transactions, so it’s wise to keep an eye on your deposits if you’re a regular player.
Will online banking deposits affect my application process?
There is no clear-cut answer for whether or not a mortgage lender will refuse to lend you money based upon your gambling deposits. However, if they can see regular payments into online gambling operator accounts, these may present a cause for concern.
Why lenders have to look into your spending habits
The mortgage lending process has not always been so strict, but as most of us will recall from the credit crunch of 2007, being lenient can have its setbacks.
In 2014 and later in 2017, regulations were introduced for lenders which meant that they had to assess the affordability of a loan in much more detail. This included the aforementioned review of transactions – regular online gambling payments have been known to make lenders think twice.
Why gambling may deter lenders
Mortgage lenders don't pass judgement on applicants – they merely need to assess the risk of lending out thousands of pounds at a time.
However, statistically speaking, “problem” gamblers have less chance of having a healthy savings account, which in turn will affect the amount to which they can put towards a deposit and ultimately influence the outcome of their application.
There is no need for doom and gloom, however, as the majority of gamblers are not problem gamblers and just like to indulge in an occasional fun habit. Keep an eye out for any of these signs if you’re thinking of applying for a mortgage any time soon:
Spending less time with family and friends, and more time gambling
Depositing more money than you can reasonably afford
‘Chasing’ bets to recover losses
Losing enjoyment in gambling
To stay on the safe side when it comes to impressing mortgage lenders, there are a few pointers that you can bear in mind.
Improving your credit score
A credit score is a rating out of 1,000 (sometimes it can be out of 700) that determines your reliability as a person with credit. Personal wealth has no bearing on this. Instead, it is actually better to accumulate a small amount of debt, for example, a mobile phone bill, and continue paying this off in regular instalments to prove that you can maintain regular payments.
The beauty of a credit score is that it changes month by month – sometimes for better, sometimes for worse! You may find that “silly” things, such as small expenses like taking out a new mobile phone contract, affect your score by a few points.
However, your score can also increase over time. Sometimes this happens naturally as time wears on, for example, if you carry on paying off regular payments such as credit card bills.
You can also improve your credit score by paying off any old debts you might have. So, if you have an old store card that could do with knocking on the head, try taking a little out of your savings – your credit score will appreciate it.
Gambling Affect Mortgage Application Form
Stop gambling
This is, of course, the last resort for those whose gambling deposits may look unfavourable on a mortgage application. However, as mentioned above, credit scores can improve over time, so if you need to tone down the gaming for a few months, it might be a worthwhile investment in the future.
If you’re not sure how to limit yourself when it comes to gambling, you can try out several different methods including a ‘time out’ or even self-exclusion, which can freeze your accounts for up to six months.
Set up a new bank account
If you’re not ready to stop gambling altogether, then your mortgage lender only needs to assess the accounts from which you make regular payments – for example, bills and taking wages. You're within your rights to set up a new bank account or to simply use an existing one which may be inactive.
Be careful, however – you need to monitor this bank account just as much as you would your main accounts. Transactions are still being made, so you should still keep a keen eye on your spending.
What not to do
Believe that winning at online gambling will satisfy a mortgage lender
Just because the money you’ve invested in gambling is going back into your account, does not mean that mortgage lenders will class this as a reliable source of income!
Take out a loan to pay off gambling debts
If your habits have got to the point that they need a loan to pay them off, a mortgage lender will smell this a mile off.
Keep on gambling if you have a problem
Sometimes, it might take others to convince you that a once leisurely pursuit is now too much time spent gambling. Consider a limit on your account if you identify with any of the statements listed above.
A mortgage lender is far more likely to judge your credit score than a few harmless bets. Pay your debts and be transparent with your spending, and the rest should be easy!
Generally speaking, gambling and mortgages do not mix well. Taking out a mortgage means that a bank or building society trusts that you’re able to pay the money back. But if they see that you’re an active gambler, then this may go against your application.
However, there is a difference between those who gamble large amounts of money on a regular basis (including those who are professional gamblers), compared to those who might put a small bet on every now and then.
When will gambling affect a mortgage application?
If you’re a professional gambler wanting to use your winnings as evidence that you can afford to take out a mortgage, then you might come up against a few hurdles, as this is considered far more risky than someone who has a job and gambles occasionally on the side. That’s not to say that it isn’t impossible though. Those lenders who are willing to lend you the money might alleviate this risk by increasing the interest rate and only lending a small amount of money.
Whilst you may argue that professional gambling is no different to getting a mortgage when self-employed, gambling is still deemed as a riskier business than self-employment, especially if there’s no trace of regular savings but a build-up of debt instead.
Ultimately, you need to be aware that if you’re a professional gambler, this activity is seen as a risk and could result in your mortgage being declined.
When won’t gambling affect a mortgage application?
When lenders carry out their affordability checks, they look at your bank statements from the previous 3-6 months. Therefore, any gambling on your bank statements during this period will be seen by your potential lender. However, the lender is not going to judge you on what you chose to spend your money on. Their primary concern is that you aren’t getting into debt in order to fund the gambling, so if you’re betting using your own money, and you aren’t in debt, then this shouldn’t affect your mortgage application.
Similarly, if you only put the odd bet on here and there, then you don’t need to worry about gambling affecting your mortgage application. Just be mindful that if your finances begin to suffer because of it, then this may affect things.
How to get mortgage approved
If you do gamble and you’re worried about getting a mortgage, you could try the following things to help improve your situation and get yourself mortgage ready:
Clear your debts - Clearing off any debt you have shows that you’re responsible when it comes to your finances.
Regular savings - Again, it’s all about responsible lending, so if you can show that you have a savings account that you pay into regularly, the lender will see you as a low-risk borrower.
Good credit history- Having a good credit history improves your chances of getting a mortgage, so you should work to improve your credit score.
Stop gambling - The most obvious, but this can only happen if you want to stop gambling.
Gambling Affect Mortgage Application Status
Get the right mortgage advice
Speaking to a mortgage broker can help you get the right advice that you need in order to fulfil your dream of getting on the property ladder. They’ll be able to address any worries or concerns that you may have about your spending habits.
Online Gambling Affect Mortgage Application
At Mortgage Advice Bureau, we deal with people from all walks of life and we do not judge anyone's personal circumstances - we are simply here to help.
Get help for your gambling addiction
If you’ve been refused a mortgage due to gambling, then now might be the right time to turn things around and seek advice. Visit the GambleAware website for help with a gambling addiction.