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I’m about to get divorced. Can I get a mortgage using the maintenance payments?

Answered on 26 March 2026

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My husband and I are about to separate. We will be selling our house and moving into separate rented accomodation initially. After paying off debts using the equity from the sale of the current house we then want to use the rest of the equity as a deposit for a house for myself and the children. I don't think my salary would allow me to get a mortgage for the new property in my own right - I have heard about divorcee mortages where they consider maintenance payments as part of your income, but i think you would need more than the 20% deposit we are likely to be able to raise. I want to know if my husband will be able to take out a mortgage for the new house without being resident at it? If so would his name need to be on the deeds? Alternatively could we get a joint mortgage with him not being a resident?

Answered by: Nicholas Mendes

Yes, it may be possible to get a mortgage using maintenance payments, depending on your overall circumstances and the lender’s criteria.

In many cases, lenders will look at maintenance income alongside your other income when assessing affordability. Whether it can be used, and how much of it a lender is prepared to take into account, will usually depend on how reliable and provable that income is.

So while divorce can make mortgage arrangements more complex, it does not necessarily stop you from getting a mortgage in your own name.

Do Lenders Accept Maintenance Income for a Mortgage?

Some do, yes.

A number of lenders will consider maintenance payments as part of a mortgage application, particularly where the payments are formalised and can be evidenced clearly. Others may take a more cautious view or apply stricter rules around how long the payments must continue.

This is why lender choice matters. While some high street lenders may be more restrictive, others take a more individual view and manually underwrite cases based on the full circumstances.

Can You Get a Mortgage Without Your Ex-Partner on the Mortgage or Title Deeds?

Potentially, yes.

Depending on your income, deposit and the level of maintenance you receive, it may be possible to arrange the mortgage without having your ex-partner on the mortgage or title deeds at all.

That will usually be the preferred route if the affordability works in your sole name, as it keeps ownership and borrowing simpler going forward. However, if affordability is tight, there may be other ways to structure the case.

What Mortgage Options Could Be Available After Divorce?

There may be more than one route available, depending on the detail of your situation.

Sole Mortgage Using Your Own Income and Maintenance Payments

If your own income, together with any maintenance payments, is enough to satisfy a lender’s affordability checks, you may be able to take the mortgage in your sole name.

This can be a good option if you want a clean financial break and do not want your ex-partner linked to the property.

Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor Mortgages

Another option could be a joint borrower sole proprietor arrangement.

With this type of mortgage, both parties are named on the mortgage, but only one person is named on the title deeds. That can sometimes help where affordability needs additional support, while still allowing the property ownership to remain in one name.

Guarantor Mortgages

In some cases, a guarantor arrangement may also be worth considering.

This could allow another person to support the mortgage without being named as the owner of the property. Whether that is suitable will depend on the lender, the relationship involved and the strength of the overall case.

What Will Lenders Look At on a Divorce Mortgage Application?

Lenders will usually look at the full picture rather than one single factor.

That can include your deposit, income, maintenance payments, credit history, regular outgoings and the number of dependants you support. They may also want to see evidence of any formal maintenance agreement or court order, along with bank statements showing the payments being received.

The stronger and clearer the overall case is, the better your chances of finding a suitable lender.

Speak to John Charcol About Mortgages After Divorce

If you are going through a divorce and want to know whether maintenance payments could help you get a mortgage, there may be more options available than you expect.

At John Charcol, our independent mortgage advisers can look at your circumstances, explain which lenders may be open to your case and help you find the most suitable route for you and your family.

If you would like to explore your options in more detail, please call us on 023 8235 2300 and we will arrange a convenient time for you to speak to one of our advisers.

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Ask The Mortgage Experts answers 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 necessarily represent the views, positions, strategies or opinions of John Charcol. All comments are made in good faith, and John Charcol will not accept liability for them. We recommend you seek professional advice with regard to any of these topics where appropriate.

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