Vida Homeloans Reviews 

Highly recommend, lovely staff can’t thank Luke and Zoe for finding our mortgage, we were updated through each process. Highly recommend

Submitted a BTL case, provided all the required documents as soon as the underwriter requested them, which have been quickly assessed. Got an offer issued the same day valuation report came out. The entire process took just over 1 week, one of the fastest turnaround times I experienced for a BTL case. Kudos to the very responsive underwriter Barry Lindsay!

In my experience, Vida Homeloans are an appalling company to deal with.

We received a Decision in Principle and proceeded on that basis. Importantly, the documentation later provided did not undermine the original application.

Quite the opposite.

The final accounts showed company profits were over 40% higher than the figures originally presented for the DIP. In other words, once Vida had the final paperwork, the case was actually more favourable, not less.

This mortgage was not some casual lifestyle move. We urgently needed this house move because our son has suffered a catastrophic spinal injury, and we needed suitable accommodation to help bring him home and support his rehabilitation. Vida were aware this was a deeply important and time-sensitive situation.

Despite that, they dragged us through one of the most gruelling, intrusive and stressful underwriting processes I have ever experienced.

They charged substantial upfront fees, including £900 for valuation and application processing, then demanded layer after layer of information: bank statements, explanations, documents, letters, final company accounts, benefit information, vulnerability paperwork, historic credit explanations... Virtually everything short of a blood test.

We were then put under pressure to finalise company accounts by a strict deadline. We did exactly what they asked. We got the accounts completed at considerable cost for speed. We provided every document requested. The final figures supported the application even more strongly than the original DIP.

Then, after taking our money, wasting weeks of our time, and making us jump through every hoop they put in front of us, Vida declined the application based on historic information which was not visible on the credit file and which is not stated as a published automatic decline criterion in their lending guidance.

So what was the point of the DIP? What was the point of taking our fees? What was the point of subjecting us to weeks of invasive underwriting and forcing us to race to provide final accounts, if they were simply going to decline on that basis anyway?

The whole process felt opaque, unfair, cruel and completely disproportionate. Communication was poor, the demands were excessive, and the outcome was devastating.

They knew this was a family under extreme pressure, trying to secure a home suitable for a catastrophically injured son.

But they still put us through weeks of stress, cost and urgency, only to decline the case after we had provided everything they asked for, a loss of £900 for the application, despite the final financial position being stronger than originally presented.

In my opinion, their Decision in Principle was worthless. Their process was invasive and unreasonable. Their handling of our case was dreadful.

Vida Homeloans have cost us money, wasted precious time, caused huge distress, and left our family in an even more difficult position.

We will be making a formal complaint.

Avoid.

I’m a mortgage broker and have used Vida several times for my hard to place cases. Specialist lenders often get a bad reputation for being difficult to work with and long timescales however my experience with Vida has been fantastic! Clear guidelines on what documents they require, very quick underwriting and valuation and great underwriters who pick up the phone to progress the case quickly leading to great results and service for our clients! Special shoutout to my latest underwriter, Mark Beddows who was working on my case on the weekend and even called close to 7pm to let me know my mortgage had offered 🤩
I have an exceptionally happy client!
Would 100% recommend!

Amazing service from Vida Home Loans, Barry was very fast on underwriting our cases and whats even better is AVM were used saving time on physical valuations,
Thanks Barry and Vida

Not a great experience with Vida. They requested unreasonable information for a mortgage application even though information had already been given. They requested a solicitor document for the application which had no legal standing this document would have considerably left me out of pocket and with nothing to show but one expense piece of paper. To be honest I would have probably completed the request had Vida not kept moving the goal posts and requesting more of the same information but in a different format. After they received the information it was still not good enough we want more. It’s safe to say I was backed into a corner I felt I had no option but to withdraw the application. Then I had to wait 2 full week for a refund. To add insult to injury when I contacted them about the refund I was met with “ how did you get this number “ and “ this is for brokers only. Not how can I help. The number was given to me by your previous colleague who was less rude and had better customer service. So all in all for 2 weeks of running around and providing documentation from the deepest archives including family help I have paid £195 for the privilege. I understand there is a fee but when you have no other choice and have to withdraw as there is no way forward due to the unrealistic expectation they set it is a bit unfair and then for staff to be more concerned about how I obtained the number is out of order safe to say my new mortgage company has completed everything with in 1 week with the same documents I provided to Vida. I will never use Vida again and will warn others away from any service they provide. Complete and utter waste of time oh and money

Vida were outstanding. Clear underwriting and sharp processing. Lisa - our underwriter was extremely professional and hepful

I asked a simple question, but they refused to answer it. Instead of employing knowledgeable staff who can answer basic questions, they keep directing customers to mortgage brokers.

It feels like they have no interest in providing proper customer support. Rather than answering straightforward questions themselves, they push you toward mortgage brokers who will charge you for advice. In my opinion, they are trying to get you to pay unnecessary fees instead of helping you directly.

Obviously its great that vida homeloans help people wit obscure credit history and I've never had to deal with them over the last two years I've had a mortgage with them, but I've recently had to get in touch for some guidance and support as my circumstances changed and I have never felt so unsupported or received such bad customer service. I felt like such a nuisance and it was hard enough to make the initial call, but it just felt harder after speaking to two women who were very short and not understanding of my circumstances. I thought the first woman was having a bad / stressful day as I could hear kids screaming in the background, but the second woman obviously just hated her job. I need to get back in touch as after two phone calls within two weeks, things still haven't been resolved and I'm already dreading it.

I would like to say a big thank you to Lisa Dowson for her support.

It was an extremely complex case and also my first case with Vida so I was unsure how it would progress. Lisa handled everything very smoothly and worked through the case quickly. Her communication was clear and she was very helpful throughout the process.

I really appreciate all of Lisa’s support and look forward to working with her again.

As a mortgage broker I cannot recommend Vida enough - especially the premier hub team (Gemma, Patsy, Leah, Jaspal, Jacqui and Kiya) - they are always so friendly and helpful. It’s so valuable to have such a knowledgable tele BDM team on hand for support and guidance. Thank you Vida!

Quick service very happy! Thank you ☺️

Great efficiency from Vida on the application

Shout out to Lisa Dowson! underwrote this case and got this to offer really quickly.

I am extremely disappointed with the way my request for consent to a second charge mortgage has been handled.

My application has been ongoing for several weeks and progressed to the point where the second charge lender has issued a formal offer, all documents have been signed, and completion was expected shortly.

The original request was declined based on an outdated property valuation from when I purchased the property. A new valuation was subsequently obtained showing a significantly higher property value. However, after weeks of delays and only at a very late stage in the process, I have now been informed that Vida will not accept the valuation already provided and instead requires me to pay an additional £110 for a valuation arranged by them.

My frustration is not simply the cost, but the timing. Had this requirement been made clear at the start of the process, it could have been dealt with weeks ago. Instead, it has caused further delays, additional stress, and uncertainty after I was led to believe the application was nearing completion.

The delays and changing requirements have also placed me in a very vulnerable position. I have been relying on this application to consolidate existing debts and improve my financial situation, and being told at such a late stage that further costs and delays are being introduced has caused significant worry and distress. Had I been made aware of this requirement earlier, I could have planned accordingly and avoided much of the uncertainty I am now facing.

I have cooperated fully throughout the process and will continue to do so, but I do not feel this situation has been handled fairly or efficiently. I hope Vida reviews both the handling of my case and the communication provided to customers in similar circumstances.

Excellent communication and support throughout. Flexible criteria. BDM and underwriter support first class. Big thank you to Barry Lindsay for all his 5 start work - a top class employee at VIDA

WOW - I don't know what else to say. The quickest mortgage I have ever applied for. Application to offer within 2.5 weeks.
Valuation was completed Friday afternoon, offer was in my inbox on Monday AM. Amazing.
This is how all lenders should treat their customers, new and and existing.
I will most certainly be requesting my broker to approach Vida for my BTL purchase in the coming months.
Thanks Vida.
Mark

It was a pleasure dealing with Vida and especially their Senior Underwriter Ray, who was incredibly helpful and had great communication. I would fully recommend VIDA to any clients.

Vida did exactly what they said they would do and kept me informed along the way

Jason Finch was just brilliant. I had a case pending for over a week, Jason stepped in gave me a call , discussed the case final docs added - Mortgage offered. Client so relieved. Brilliant.

Also VIDA bring back BDM'S its needed