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Christopher W

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Review of the Vida Bank, Mortgage:

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Vida Homeloans: Costly, intrusive and utterly heartless

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 hundreds of pounds 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. 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, as far as I could see, was not clearly 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. They still put us through weeks of stress, cost and urgency, only to decline the case after we had provided everything they asked for — 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. Reviewed on: 24th July 2026

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