Metro Bank's bizarre mortgage application question that probes homebuyers on their narcotics usage

The process of obtaining a mortgage is notoriously complex, and it's expected that banks will have their fair share of queries. However, Metro Bank has caused some raised eyebrows with its inclusion of a question about narcotics expenditure on its mortgage application form.

The affordability check section on the form aims to get an insight into the lifestyle and spending habits of potential borrowers, assessing how much money they have remaining after outgoings to manage mortgage payments.

While the thoroughness of the check may be commendable, the extent Metro Bank has gone to has proven to be somewhat startling. Nevertheless, Metro Bank stands by its phrasing, clarifying that the question was intended to gauge expenditures on prescription drugs, not illicit substances.

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Katy Eatenton, a broker at Lifetime Wealth Management, discovered this unusual question while completing a Metro Bank form for a client. Among the routine questions about 'clothing and footwear' and 'housekeeping' costs, she noticed one that probed into the applicant's spending on 'alcohol drinks, tobacco and narcotics'.

This has set off alarms; as per the Collins dictionary, "narcotics" typically refer to pain-numbing, sleep-inducing drugs such as opium or heroin, and in broader terms especially American English any illegal drug. Nonetheless, mortgage brokers are interpreting this query as delving into individuals' use of recreational drugs, reports the Daily Star.

Katy Eatenton was incredulous, remarking: "I couldn't believe my eyes when completing a Metro application recently: alcohol, tobacco and narcotics had its own line item on their budget planner. Spending £200