Ah, I think you are correct, my mistake. However, some lenders will take salary sacrifice into account when doing affordability checks, and won't lend as much. I guess if they don't ask, there's no problem.
Yeah, they can ask whatever they like, I guess. I wasn't asked specifically about salary sacrifice, but they did do an affordability check and that might have included pension contribution. I also checked with my employer that I wasn't "locked in" to anything and they could change my contribution at any time.
It might be different if the sacrifice is for something that's basically essential for you like a company car. I could see that getting more scrutiny.
It might be different if the sacrifice is for something that's basically essential for you like a company car. I could see that getting more scrutiny.