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Vida Bank: Mortgage reviews

Name: Mortgage
Rating: 2.21 (34 reviews)

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2.21

Based on 34 reviews, last reviewed 24th Jul 2026

No new 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

100% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

4 star

3 star

2 star

91%

Latest highest rating:

5

Definitely recommend We completed on our home today! Thank you Vida homeloans for getting us on the ladder and accepting us when no one else would. If you do go with vida... Read more Reviewed on: 10th January 2020

Latest lowest rating:

1

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,... Read more Reviewed on: 24th July 2026

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About this product

Vida Homeloans offer specialist mortgages.

Vida Homeloans work with intermediary partners to help the self-employed, first-time buyers and portfolio landlords. The interest rate you’re charged will depend on your circumstances.

Vida Homeloans reviews help you find out what it’s really like to be a customer. If you’ve used Vida Bank before, you can also leave a review and share your experience.

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Vida Bank Mortgage reviews (34)

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

Vida are money grabbers.

Vida are money grabbers..they make you pay numerous fees which are mentioned in the other comments.. give you hope of getting your mortgage then after taking your money come back with a decline when they already credit checked us a month before. Seriously please please go careful with this company your hopes and dreams will be smashed and your money lost. This is totally unacceptable they shouldn't take any money from you until you're given the decision. Why pay money for fees which won't happen towards the house until after you get approved. I feel robbed and scammed. Reviewed on: 7th September 2025

Avoid at any cost...

I’ve had a deeply frustrating experience with Vida Homeloans (AGAIN). After changing my lettings management platform for a Buy-to-Let property — a perfectly reasonable & routine administrative adjustment — they’ve turned the process into an ordeal! Simple updates that should take a phone call for others, are dragging on for weeks, with required registered delivery letters (not emails), mounting costs, and no real support. I expected professionalism and adaptability from a specialist lender. Instead, I’ve faced delays and inflexibility that have impacted on morale and the smooth running of my property. Their process feels outdated and overly bureaucratic, which is ironic given their marketing around flexibility and serving complex cases. If they struggle with something as straightforward as a platform change, I worry about how they'd handle anything truly complicated. Pros: None that I can name right now. Cons: anachronistic process, Poor communication, Lack of urgency and for sure Not customer-centric Reviewed on: 14th April 2025

Absolutely terrible experience!

Absolutely terrible experience! This company is nothing but a scam—full of hidden fees, false promises, and a complete waste of time. They lured me in with misleading terms, only to pile on unexpected charges at every stage of the process. After weeks of delays and frustration, they refused to refund my money, leaving me out of pocket for nothing! Their lack of transparency and professionalism is shocking. Do yourself a favor and stay far away from this lender! They will take your money and leave you with nothing but regret. Zero stars if I could! Reviewed on: 12th March 2025

AVOID!!!!!

DIP 14th May 2024 Declined 25th July 2024 Property is in Scotland, home report and valuation provided before DIP. Vida wouldn’t accept valuation report even though RISC approved. We paid £195 application fee and then a further £340 to Vida for another valuation. To find out we couldn’t get a mortgage due to valuation report even though the report was identical to the 1st valuation. Why not say we can’t have a mortgage at the beginning based on the details being provided about the servitudes (reason for refusal) AVOID Vida Home loans it’s a way to get your money and cause unnecessary stress. Reviewed on: 13th September 2024

Cowboys

The worst company ever I deal in my life. Reviewed on: 9th September 2022

Extortionate - ripoff company

Wow just look at all the negative reviews. Almost 50:50 for good and bad (most likely the 50% good reviews are from relatives and friends of people who work at this rip off company). I had a mortgage deal (sourced by another useless company called KEY MORTGAGE ADVICE in Preston and Southport, whom I also recommend NOT using ) which resulted in £800pcm over 5 years rather than £400pcm and a penalty payment of approx.£8000 if you wished to be released early). At the time, I was in a rush and told that this was the best deal so I reluctantly agreed (although I have an excellent job and excellent credit history). This company are ludicrously expensive and my mortgage advisors since (3 to be exact) were horrified that this was such a poor deal especially as the interest rates were so low at the time. I could have had a capital repayment for cheaper and paid off some of the capital throughout the 5 year period). DO NOT USE this ROGUE company. I hope people read these reviews and have the sense not to use them - they shouldn't be in business. I have used a different name for review purposes. Reviewed on: 4th August 2022

unplasant and uneccesary

I have many mortgages spread over many borrowers over many years so it's the voice of experience here. Vida are difficult to deal with and are quick to make uneccesary threats. I suspect a robotic system churns out the onerous posts and it can be unplasant. In my case they did not respond to a mandate they wished to set up which led to the usual boring threats of turning your business into toast. The law is partly to blame giving the power to these incompetant borrowers to use the credit referance agencies as a bludgeoning tool to extract monies rather than look into it first, or more likely chose not to look into it. Be careful with this borrower and allow lots of time. They can be difficult. Reviewed on: 5th February 2022

I would not recommend!

I’ve had a terrible experience with Vida- they are incredibly unresponsive, we were told we could request for an exception to getting the valuation report as our property was down valued by 85k! We waited for two weeks after sending in the rationale and our request but heard nothing! Just kept getting told we will get a response soon! Everyone was totally uncooperative and rude and it’s just been a terrible experience, we are still waiting and since we put a deposit of 5k down on the property we need the report to get that money back! I would appreciate it someone could get back to us on this Reviewed on: 31st January 2022

Steer clear

I wouldn't give this company any stars and I'm amazed that they have not been investigated. I am currently seeking advice from the Financial Ombudsman with regard to my application.... Reviewed on: 17th September 2021

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