Fizzelina,
I am quite aware that banks are not obliged to facilitate moratoriums so people can have maternity leave payment free. But its a fact of life that females have the babies and unless science does something amazing thats the way it will always be. Since so many men are now unemployed we are now living in a world where more and more couples/families are now depending soley on the income of the female in the family. So its an issue the banks will be dealing with a lot more in the future than in the past. So what are working woman, of sole income households, who dont have jobs that pay maternity leave supposed to do?
Basically we will be surviving on social welfare for 6 mths, so even with the offer of 6 mths interest only we will not be able to afford to pay all the interest for the six mths. In reality unless we get a moratorium of some sort we will be in arrrears quite quickly. This is something that could be avoided.
Yes I do agree that it would be the responsible thing to save enough to cover my mortgage for the period of maternity leave but unfortunately I have not been in a position to save anywhere even close to that amount. I would love to have a job that paid me sufficiently to enable me to have saved.
Also am not lucky enough to have an employer whos pays maternity leave (like many public service workers, bank workers etc ...some of whom end up better off whilst on ML than working) so am left with no option but to request a moratorium of some degree.
anyway its all a bit off topic cos Brendan is looking for peoples experiences with mortgage lenders now to compareto the past. Simple fact is my experience this time round is completely different to last time, whereas my financial situation is slightly improved and my working situation has not altered.
I spoke to bank today and they said I will have to reapply for a 3 mth moratorium if not happy with 6 mths interest only. but form only gives option of 6 mths interest only & 6 mths moratorium. so will be filling the same form in again, details requested on it are not going to change but more time will pass and I am on a deadline here
Regards
S