Hi Zoot Thanks for getting back. I accepted the £400 but no mention of "full and final" from the Skipton (unless its implied ?). I will coninue to monitor this great site with interest. Thanks for the help. All the best Benjy633

Ok......... So no response from the Zoot, so I have taken my best shot and accepted the £400 offered as a token jesture. I do feel I have sold out in the simpatico of this whole web site, but hey ! I got £400 just for making a phone call. All the best to future claims. B.

Hi Zootscoot Thanks for the swift reply. Even though my charges are arrears (£180 charge in one month from £200 shortfall between dss payment and actual mortgage payment) and not ERC, do you reccommend accepting the £400 token offer ? Cheers

Hi Back online after another hospital visit (Doh !) Have just spoken to the Skipton BS about the possibility of claiming back my arrears charges and they advised I probably would not get anything but offered a token jesture of good will of £400. My arrears charges total £5580.94 since 2001 so I think I will pursue the full amount. Onwards and upwards Cheers

Hi Ulster4 I am a beginner myself at this process, but my thoughts would be gather your information accurately before you fire off any letters as I suspect the more accurate and professional your approach may well have some bearing on their response. However there are some very knowledgeable people posting on this site and I would recommend a full trawl of the site which I am doing myself. All the best from across the water.

Follow up: I think you're right. tempted as I am to pursue these excessive charges, in my current position with having to place a mortgage elsewhere I think I will bite the bullit and let it go. Cheers B

Hi Ukaviator The thing that has prompted me down this route is that I spent 4 years in and out of hospital (motorbike thru dry stone wall) and the charges incurred total almost 10k, which I have paid off but when I saw the breakdown of actual arrears and charges horrified me. cheers B

Hi ukaviator Cheers for the reply. You've hit the nail on the head, these guys (Skipton) are my existing lender and whilst I think the charges were excessive I could be in a world of pain if they closed my account. cheers

Hi mrsfoot Thanks for the reply. I thought I may have missed something in the FAQ. I will read thru again. I am reasonably confident in the process but I guess my main concern is if the lender (Skipton Building Society) took offence and closed my account, with a now less than perfect credit history, I might find it difficult to place my mortgage elsewhere. Any thoughts ? cheers

Hi Guys I have incurred a raft of charges for not paying the full monthly amount on my mortgage whilst in hospital. The DSS paid a portion but the shortfall was approx £250 each month and the Skipton building society charged me up to £190 per month charges for shortfall and accrued arrears. I have paid this all back last year but now wonder if any of these charges may be recoverable ? Any help gratefully received. Cheers