Remortgage With a Disability

Your Legal Rights When Remortgaging

The Equality Act 2010 provides strong protections for disabled people in the UK, and these extend to financial services including mortgages.

Under the Act, lenders must not:

• Refuse your application because of your disability
• Offer you less favourable terms or rates because of your disability
• Make assumptions about your ability to work or earn based on your condition
• Fail to make reasonable adjustments to their processes to accommodate your needs

Reasonable adjustments might include providing information in accessible formats, allowing extra time for appointments, accepting alternative documentation, or offering home visits if you cannot easily travel to a branch.

The assessment of your mortgage application should be based purely on your financial circumstances — your income, credit history, equity position and ability to afford repayments. Your disability itself is not a relevant factor in this assessment.

If you encounter discrimination during the mortgage process, you can complain to the lender, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service, or seek advice from organisations like the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS). Most lenders take their obligations seriously, but knowing your rights gives you confidence throughout the process.

Income Types That Lenders Accept

If your disability affects your employment, you may receive income from various sources. Understanding which income types lenders accept is key to a successful application.

Employment income: If you work — whether full-time, part-time, or with adjustments — your salary is assessed in the standard way. Many disabled people are in employment and their mortgage applications are straightforward.

Disability benefits: Many mainstream lenders now accept disability benefits as part of the income assessment. Commonly accepted benefits include:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) — both daily living and mobility components
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) — for existing claimants
• Attendance Allowance — for those over state pension age
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) — both the support and work-related activity groups
• Universal Credit — including the disability elements
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• War Disablement Pension

The proportion of benefits income that lenders include in their assessment varies. Some count 100%, while others may apply a discount. A few lenders do not accept benefits income at all, which is why knowing which lenders to approach is so important.

Pension income: If you receive a disability pension or have been medically retired, this regular income is generally well-accepted by lenders.

Investment or rental income: If you have income from savings, investments or rental properties, these may also be considered alongside your other income sources.

Accessibility and Reasonable Adjustments

The remortgage process involves paperwork, appointments and communication with various parties. If your disability makes any part of this process difficult, you are entitled to reasonable adjustments.

Communication preferences: Let your adviser and lender know if you need information in large print, audio format, easy read or another accessible format. They should accommodate this without question.

Appointment arrangements: If travelling is difficult, many advisers and lenders offer phone, video call or home visit options. The shift towards digital and remote services in recent years has made the process more accessible for many disabled people.

Extra time: If you need more time to read documents, consider options or gather information, a good adviser will be patient and flexible. There should be no pressure to rush through decisions.

Supported decision-making: If you have a carer, support worker or family member who helps with financial decisions, they can be involved in the process. If someone has a power of attorney, they can act on your behalf.

Physical accessibility: If you need to visit a branch or office, check that the venue is accessible for your needs. Alternatively, request a meeting in a location that works for you.

Do not be afraid to ask for what you need. Adjustments that help you participate fully in the process are not special treatment — they are your legal right and they ensure you can make informed decisions about your mortgage.

Adapted Homes and Property Considerations

If your property has been adapted to meet your disability needs, this can have implications for the remortgage process that are worth understanding.

Property valuation: Adaptations such as ramps, widened doorways, wet rooms, stairlifts and ground-floor extensions can affect your property's value. In most cases, adaptations that improve accessibility also appeal to a broader market and may add value. However, very specialised adaptations might affect the property's appeal to some buyers.

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs): If your adaptations were funded through a DFG from your local authority, there may be conditions about repayment if you sell the property within a certain period. Check the terms of your grant before remortgaging.

Insurance: Some adaptations may need to be included in your buildings insurance cover. Check that your insurance adequately covers any modifications when you remortgage.

Future adaptations: If you need to fund further adaptations, remortgaging to release equity could be one way to do this. You may also be eligible for additional DFG funding. Your local authority's occupational therapy service can advise on what support is available.

If you are planning to remortgage partly to fund adaptations, lenders generally view this positively, as it is an investment in your property. Explain the planned works clearly in your application.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

While the process should be fair and accessible, disabled people can face practical challenges when remortgaging. Here are some common issues and how to address them.

Automated systems not recognising benefits income: Some lenders' online systems are not set up to handle benefits income easily. This can be frustrating, but it does not mean the lender cannot help. Working through an adviser rather than applying directly online can bypass these system limitations.

Inconsistent lender policies: Different lenders accept different types and proportions of benefits income. Being rejected by one lender does not mean all will take the same view. A whole-of-market adviser knows the specific policies of each lender and can target your application appropriately.

Lack of understanding: Not all advisers are experienced with disability-related income and circumstances. If you feel your adviser does not understand your situation, it is perfectly reasonable to seek one who does. Look for advisers with experience in complex income cases.

Documentation difficulties: Gathering documents can be tiring or difficult. Ask your adviser what is needed upfront and tackle it in manageable stages. If accessing certain documents is problematic, there may be alternative evidence your adviser can work with.

Energy and stress management: The remortgage process requires attention and decision-making. If your disability affects your energy levels or cognitive function, pace yourself and do not feel pressured to make quick decisions. A good adviser will respect your pace.

Getting Started With Your Remortgage

If you are ready to explore your remortgage options, here is a practical plan to get started.

Review your current mortgage. Check when your deal ends, what rate you will move to, and whether there are any early repayment charges. This helps you understand the urgency and potential savings.

Total up your income. List all your income sources, including employment income, benefits, pensions and any other regular payments. Having a clear picture of your total income helps your adviser find the right lender.

Check your credit report. Request a free copy of your credit report from one of the main agencies. Check for errors and understand your credit position before applying.

Find a suitable adviser. Look for a whole-of-market mortgage adviser with experience handling disability benefits and non-standard income. An initial conversation will help you understand your options without any obligation.

Gather key documents. Start collecting payslips, benefit award letters, bank statements and your current mortgage statement. Having these ready speeds up the process once you decide to proceed.

Ask about accessibility. When choosing an adviser, ask about their accessibility provisions. Can they communicate in your preferred format? Can meetings be held in a way that works for you? Are they flexible with timings and deadlines?

Your disability is part of who you are, but it should not be a barrier to getting a fair mortgage deal. With the right professional support, you can navigate the process confidently and secure terms that reflect your true financial circumstances.