How brokers can support clients through separation, upsizing, and shifting affordability
Family transitions - whether separations or growing households - continue to reshape mortgage conversations across the UK. For brokers, these cases demand not just financial expertise but a nuanced understanding of personal circumstances and legal considerations.
“We’re seeing more breakups than ever,” said Gemma Cuff, director at Colchester-based Gemstone Mortgages. “Often, it means revisiting everything - ownership, affordability, even whether a client can stay in the home.”
Cuff describes a range of post-separation scenarios, from equity buyouts to forced sales. Some lenders allow a sole applicant to take over an existing mortgage if they’ve paid alone for six months, even if affordability metrics fall short. “It’s a lifeline for some,” she said. “More lenders offering that option would make a difference.”
Yet legal protections are often missing. “Without a deed of trust, a partner who contributed more can still lose out. We’ve seen it happen. That’s why we recommend clients seek legal advice early in the process.”
Vulnerability isn't always visible
The emotional and financial aftermath of a breakup can leave clients unsure of next steps, even if they’ve held a mortgage before. “Some didn’t manage the finances in the relationship. They need additional support, not just information, but reassurance.”
Affordability challenges extend beyond separation. With five-year fixed rates maturing, Cuff sees former upsizers returning for help. “The leap from 1.6% to 4% is forcing hard decisions. We’ve had to prioritise proper budget planning, not just compliance tick-boxing.”
She also flags a rise in complex living arrangements, with separated partners sharing homes or rotating custody while still cohabiting. “It’s a reality of the current market. High rents and lack of flexible options are making clean breaks difficult.”
Brokers need space to act
Cuff sees limitations in product availability that restrict what brokers can offer. “Joint borrower, sole proprietor arrangements could help more people buy out partners, but aren’t widely supported. And lenders often reject gifted deposits unless they come from immediate family, even when help is available elsewhere.”
She also points to rigid criteria around maintenance income. “Expecting six months of evidence after a fresh separation just doesn’t reflect how life works.”
With legal fees rising, many clients deprioritise deeds of trust, assuming they’ll “do it later.” But as Cuff notes, that rarely happens. “By the time clients realise they need it, the damage is done.”
The mortgage advice process is increasingly shaped by life events, not just rate changes. As family structures shift, brokers are being asked to navigate more than numbers. For Cuff, the challenge is clear: “It’s about understanding where the client is coming from, not just what they can borrow.”
