Jump to content


Reclaim unfair mortgage arrears fees, FSA says


style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 4125 days.

If you need to add something to this thread then

 

Please click the "Report " link

 

at the bottom of one of the posts.

 

If you want to post a new story then

Please

Start your own new thread

That way you will attract more attention to your story and get more visitors and more help 

 

Thanks

Recommended Posts

Reclaim unfair mortgage arrears fees, FSA says

 

 

Now also see this important article on unfair mortgage charges - here

 

 

 

 

******************************************************************************************************************

Guy Anker

 

26 January 2010

Homeowners hit with excessive mortgage arrears charges should demand their cash back, says the city regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

It today launched a crackdown on unfair fees that hammer those already behind on payments (see the Mortgage Arrears and Redundancy guides).

It has also told MoneySavingExpert.com that consumers should not stand for shoddy treatment and should reclaim their cash, regardless of when the fees, which can sometimes run into thousands of pounds, were levied.

Almost 200,000 borrowers were significantly behind on payments at the last count, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, who could all be hit by high fees.

Below is a quick Q&A reclaiming guide. We will soon issue a full step-by-step guide so get the free weekly email for updates.

What's happened today?

The FSA announced proposals (which won't be implemented until June) designed to better protect borrowers in arrears from excessive and unfair charges.

When MoneySavingExpert.com asked the regulator whether those unfairly treated should reclaim excessive fees, a spokeswoman said: "We want consumers to take a handle on the situation so if they think they have not been dealt with fairly they should definitely complain."

The Financial Ombudsman Service, which independently arbitrates on complaints between consumers and lenders, also echoed that sentiment when asked.

The FSA's proposals demand that firms stop hammering those in hardship; for example, by issuing charges when a payment plan has already been agreed or by allocating payments payments to clear an arrears charge rather than clearing the balance.

They also state repossession should always be the last resort and that lenders must record all arrears handling calls and keep records for three years.

What is an unfair fee?

It is about the size of the fee and how it's charged:

  • Excessive fees. One of the clearest examples, the FSA says, is where the charge is higher than the administrative cost to the lender. If it costs £10 to send a letter but the charge is £35, that's £25 too much.
     
    Lenders often charge around £35 per missed payment, £100 for a debt collector visit and thousands in legal and estate agent fees if your property is repossessed (see the Huge mortgage fees MSE News story).
  • Unfair charging. The FSA has found numerous examples of firms sneakily finding ways to incorporate charges when they shouldn't. For example, when struggling borrowers are already on a repayment plan.
     
    Also, lenders charging non-direct debit payment fees (to pay for payment processing) when no payment was made, or including arrears charges in the total mortgage balance when calculating an early repayment charge (ERC), which is usually a percentage of that balance.

Financial services secretary to the Treasury Paul Myners described some lenders' high arrears fees as "extraordinary" during a July Treasury Committee hearing.

How far back can you go?

The Ombudsman says you can reclaim fees from as far back as you like, as long as you make the complaint within three years of realising you could.

As the FSA has only got tough over the past few months, most people will still be within that three-year time-frame.

If unsure of past charges, you can make a request to get a list of fees charged from your lender over the past six years under the Data Protection Act. This will cost up to £10.

How do you reclaim?

First complain to your lender setting out why the charges are unfair and ask for your money back. If you are turned away or do not get a satisfactory response within eight weeks, then complain to the free Ombudsman service (see the Ombudsman guide).

To highlight this is possible, the FSA ordered GMAC-RFC, which was the tenth largest mortgage provider before the credit crunch, to pay compensation to up to 114,000 borrowers hit with unfair arrears fees last October (see the GMAC mass refunds MSE News story). It also issued a whopping £2.8 million fine.

The FSA is also taking action against a number of other firms, but has not concluded investigations yet.

Martin Lewis, MoneySavingExpert.com creator, says: "While the FSA has not named a price deemed excessive its statement echoes the bank charges campaign.

"If you pushed me on a figure, the Office of Fair Trading says it won't challenge credit card penalty charges under £12, so that is a good benchmark.

"As there's no cost, and most people in arrears are in financial hardship, and therefore should be treated with sympathy, I would urge anyone who feels unfairly treated to complain."

If successful, please report your experience in the discussion link below.

Further reading/Key links

Get help: Mortgage Arrears, Redundancy help

Mortgage cost-cutting guides: The Remortgage guide, Mortgage haggling, Cheap mortgage finding, Ditch my fix?

Comment/Discuss

 

Discuss this MSE news story: Reclaim mortgage fees

Link to post
Share on other sites

How does this work? If you look at the BBC website and using your example. The fee itself is not unfair (unless as stated it is way over the cost of the action). GMAC have not been told to refund all the fees. They have been told they can not charge the monthly fee when the borrower has made an arrangement to pay off the arrears. They are to refund any interest charged on the fees and any interest charged on the fees as part of an early repayment charge.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...
More hot air from the FSA and a fudge at best, it seems the regulators that are supposed to protect us act more like a referee between consumer and creditor

 

It is far more serious than just fudge.

 

Read this. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/content.php?700-Hot-news-for-anyone-who-has-suffered-mortgage-arrears-charges-irresponsible-lending-or-other-unfair-lender-conduct

 

If you have suffered mortage arrears fees then you should claim them back now.

 

We will help you. Don't hang around. The FSA decisions in DB Bank and in Redstone now make it impossible for mortgage lenders to resist a claim for the return of arrears fees PLUS interest based upon restitutionary damages.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
  • 2 months later...

Have you got any updates on your case?

 

I am going through my GMAC fee's and charges now but when reading the forum's i am getting a lot of mixed messages as to whether you can/can't reclaim them back....

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Swift 1st Limited fined over mortgage arrears failings and will pay an estimated £2.35 million in customer redress

 

FSA/PN/079/2011

08 September 2011

 

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has today fined Essex based mortgage lender Swift 1st Limited (Swift) £630,000 for unfair treatment of some customers facing mortgage arrears.

The firm has also agreed to carry out a programme to provide redress to customers who were in arrears, and who were charged certain arrears fees and charges that were excessive. Swift will also provide redress to customers who redeemed their mortgages early where it miscalculated the interest on the redemption balance. It is estimated that the total cost of the redress to customers will be approximately £2.35 million.

The FSA has identified a number of serious failings by Swift which occurred between June 2007 and July 2009 in relation to its arrears fees and charges, and in its dealings with customers in arrears.

These include:

 

  • Swift applied certain charges to its customers’ accounts that were in arrears which were excessive in that they did not reflect a reasonable estimate of the cost of administering an account in arrears.

These were:

 

  • Arrears management fee: a monthly management fee applied to a customer in arrears;
  • Default notice fee: a default fee applied when a customer’s account fell into arrears;
  • Unpaid mortgage payment fee: applied when a cheque, direct debit or standing order was not honoured by a customer’s bank; and
  • Litigation fees: fees applied to customers’ accounts when Swift started legal proceedings.

In addition:

 

  • Swift applied excessive early repayment charges to the redemption figures of customers who were, or had been, in arrears;
  • Swift failed to send all its customers in arrears certain prescribed documents, providing information on the options available to them;
  • Swift focussed on the collection of arrears without always proactively engaging with customers to establish an appropriate “Arrangement To Pay” based on their individual circumstances; and
  • Swift also failed to have adequate systems and controls in place to deal with early redemptions which resulted in some customers who redeemed their mortgages overpaying.

The FSA considers that Swift’s failings are serious as under FSA rules, a firm must consider the interests of its customers and ensure that they are treated fairly. Swift’s failings continued over a significant period of time and impacted about 2,500 customers. As Swift specialised in the sub-prime sector, a number of customers who already had an adverse credit status were put at further risk of financial detriment.

Tracey McDermott, acting director of enforcement and financial crime, said:

“Firms must ensure they treat their customers fairly. Many of Swift’s customers were already in a vulnerable position, having fallen into arrears on their mortgage payments, and they could ill afford excessive and unfair fees. The FSA will take robust action to ensure not only that firms are fined for such failings but also that they identify and compensate customers who have been disadvantaged. The costs of doing so are often much more than the fine.”

Swift reported its failings in relation to early repayment charges and redemption balances to the FSA.

Swift also agreed to settle at an early stage and therefore qualified for a 30% reduction in penalty. Were it not for this discount the FSA would have imposed a financial penalty of £900,000.

Notes to Editors

 

 

  1. Read the Final Notice for Swift 1st Limited.
  2. Swift is the fifth lender referred to enforcement following the FSA’s thematic project on mortgage arrears handling. Final notices were also given for GMAC-RFC, Kensington Mortgages, Redstone Mortgages Limited and DB Mortgages.
  3. In June 2009, the FSA published the results of a review which found continued weaknesses in the way specialist lending firms were handling mortgage arrears and repossessions.
  4. In July 2010, the FSA published proposals to establish stronger standards for responsible lending in the mortgage market and to provide extra protection for vulnerable consumers. Consultation on these proposals closed in November 2010.
  5. The FSA regulates the financial services industry and has four objectives under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000: maintaining market confidence; securing the appropriate degree of protection for consumers; fighting financial crime; and contributing to the protection and enhancement of the stability of the UK financial system.

swift_1st.pdf

Link to post
Share on other sites

i have a current claim in but need to amend to reflect the interest - i am confused about simple or contractual and the lenght of time i can claim from as my charges go back 12 years but is a mortgage so i think 12 is correct for a mortgage challenge isnt it? i have worked out their interest on the charges at the rate they charge, so how do i do the simple interest, - i am thinking on the actual charges WITHOUT their contractual interest added.

 

i assume that i can only get my repayments changed to reflect this as i have not actually paid ALL the charges yet but will have over the full term of the product I think??? however, these charges are calculated seperately so i think they must be IN ADDITION to the full term of the product which has 13 years yet to run (into my retirement).

 

urgent please:):)

'rise like lions after slumber, in unvanquishable number, shake your chains to the earth like dew, which in sleep had fall'n on you, ye are many, they are few.' Percy Byshse Shelly 1819

Link to post
Share on other sites

do UTCCR 1999 'unite' utccr previous regs, some hideous sub prime mortgages pre 1999, what help can they get with UNFAIR TERMS, AND MISSELLING??? or is it covered as the next act replaced the former, if so, what sections would apply?

'rise like lions after slumber, in unvanquishable number, shake your chains to the earth like dew, which in sleep had fall'n on you, ye are many, they are few.' Percy Byshse Shelly 1819

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Hi bankfodderfinished paying my mortgage want to claim for admin charges and visitsetc , is there a special template for the mortgage charges etc . Thanks

It is far more serious than just fudge.

 

Read this. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/content.php?700-Hot-news-for-anyone-who-has-suffered-mortgage-arrears-charges-irresponsible-lending-or-other-unfair-lender-conduct

 

If you have suffered mortage arrears fees then you should claim them back now.

 

We will help you. Don't hang around. The FSA decisions in DB Bank and in Redstone now make it impossible for mortgage lenders to resist a claim for the return of arrears fees PLUS interest based upon restitutionary damages.

Link to post
Share on other sites

They tried that one with me - and yes they do have the fact that i signed a contract intially, but there is always the Unfair terms and conditions act - see intial advice on here....

 

i ignored it anyhow, we'll see if that was the rght thing to do! will keep posting....

 

I was just wondering how you got on with your claim?

 

We nearly had our house repossessed last year and tried to get the possession order lifted having made full monthly payments for over a year + clearing the majority of the arrears. What was left was capitalised and added to the end of the mortgage. Long story short the judge was unable to lift the possession order and now our lender wants to charge over £800 in legal fees for us taking the case back to court. I want to claim back this charge and all the others from when our account was in arrears but cannot risk it going back to court again - even if a different reason - and potentially being hit with more charges!!

 

Can you give any advice?

Link to post
Share on other sites

you will need to find out what regulations cover your agreement, FSA or CCA for example, if at all, some older agreements pre 2000 do not seem to be covered by any regs when it comes to unfair charges or an unfair relationship. but do check this out and hopefully some one knowledgeable will come on here to help out, very good luck:)

'rise like lions after slumber, in unvanquishable number, shake your chains to the earth like dew, which in sleep had fall'n on you, ye are many, they are few.' Percy Byshse Shelly 1819

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Hi all is there a new draft template for a claim against mortage companies to include:

 

 

  • Arrears management fee: a monthly management fee applied to a customer in arrears;
  • Default notice fee: a default fee applied when a customer’s account fell into arrears;
  • Unpaid mortgage payment fee: applied when a cheque, direct debitlink3.gif or standing order was not honoured by a customer’s bank; and
  • Litigation fees: fees applied to customers’ accounts.

We live in an unmoderated country why should the net be any different?

Bring back free speech we miss it!

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hope this is in the right place ...

 

I have been behind with my mortgage for about 18 months since loosing my job due to ill health. Lender is Bank of Scotland. I put a repayment arrangement in place for £60 extra per month but they still charged me £35 every month for being in arrears (adminstration fee) I asked on the phone for this to be waived without success. Have just agreed to add arrears on to my mortgage to get me back on the level again. But there were loads of £35 fees added - I just feel they kick you when you're down. Can these be reclaimed?

 

Thanks

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello glenismorganlewis

If you can remember the groupyou were told about and post it I would be very grateful.

I have a problem with a pre-regulated company and would love some help to claim charges, but don't really know where to start.:???:

Look forward to hearing more.

Thanks, Fielder

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
i filled out the small claims courts papers, and they have decided to defend 100% and also make a counterclaim.

 

fingers crossed!

 

Hope you don't mind us asking, but any news on your claim?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Been the FSA and FOS route. Told me to go the the other group which looks into pre regulation loans and cant remember the name at the moment. They also said Swift are bomb proof. Do they perhaps have links to the government and can do what the hell they like.

 

Swift are not bomb proof as the FSA will testify. NEVER be put off claiming by what any posters write, you have no idea in what best interests a poster is writting this for you or the company in question. I'm not sugggesting glen is a senior partner at Swift, but stranger things has happened on here. This site is for encouragement and advice not attempting to put folk off. Letters cost little time and money but folk are so easily put off cliaiming.

 

Bottom line start that claim TODAY and don't be put off by what anyone says and if you don't want to go down the route of Small claims there is the free option.

We live in an unmoderated country why should the net be any different?

Bring back free speech we miss it!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Some of the following may not be relevant, please read and change before sending and if anyone has an alternative please post.

 

 

Dear sir/madam,

 

 

Request for repayment of charges: xxxxxxxxxx

 

 

I am writing to ask you to refund thecharges which you have levied from my account in respect of late payment feesand associated fees to the sum of £xxxx.xx In addition I request a rebate ofthe mortgage exit fees that I paid on sum of £xxxx.xx . It may be worth notingthat at the time of redeeming my mortgage I was on the banks variable rate andmy fixed rate mortgage product had come to an end. Please find enclosed scheduleof charges detailing dates and amounts. I now understand thatsuch fees are unlawful at Common Law, Statute and recent consumer Regulations.

 

In the case of Castaneda and Others v.Clydebank Engineering and Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (1904) 12 SLT 498 the House ofLords held that a contractual party can only recover damages for actual orliquidated losses incurred from a breach of contract as oppose to a chargewhich represents a penalty. This law was confirmed and upheld in DunlopPneumatic Tyre Co Ltd v New Garage and Motor Co Ltd [1915] AC 79. A charge willbe held to be a penalty if the sum stipulated for is extravagant andunconscionable in amount in comparison to the greatest loss that couldconceivably be proved to have followed from the breach. A penalty clause isvoid in its entirety and unenforceable.

 

In addition your charges appear torepresent an unfair term of contract which is contrary to the Unfair Terms inConsumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (SI. 1999/2083). My account falls withinthe ambit of Regulation 5 of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations1999 as we are consumers. Your charges constitute an unfair penalty underSchedule 2 of the said Regulations which provide an indicative and non-exhaustivelist of terms which may be regarded as unfair. Under paragraph 1(e) of schedule2 this specifically includes terms which have the object of requiring anyconsumer who fails his obligation to pay a disproportionately high sum incompensation. I would vigorously contend that this is the position regardingthe fee of £xxxx.xx which you deemed fit to apply to my account.

 

 

 

I would like to bring your attention tothe following statement by The Office of Fair Trading:

 

"A term in a mortgage agreement whichrequires the borrower to pay more for breaching the contract terms than actualcosts and losses caused to the lender by the breach (or a genuine pre-estimateof that) is likely to be regarded as an unfair penalty and to be unenforceableboth at common law and (in a consumer mortgage) under the Unfair Terms inConsumer Contracts Regulations.

 

I believe that the charges you havelevied of £xxxx.xx far exceed any true cost to yourself as a result of mybreaches and any genuine pre-estimate you could conceivably reach. If youdisagree, then will you please demonstrate this by letting me have a fullbreakdown of the costs to which you have been put to as a result of mybreaches, in order to reassure me that your charges really do reflect your costs.

 

I really hope that this matter can beresolved amicably and without the need for redress to the courts. Thus I amasking that you refund the charges which have unlawfully been levied on myaccount. Failure to refund all the money unlawfully taken from me will resultin taking further action. I will giveyou 14 days to reply accepting, unconditionally, my request in principle andletting me know a date by which we will receive payment. If you do not respond,or you do not respond positively, within this time period, I shall send you aletter before action giving you a further 14 days in which to reflect. I believethat these targets are more than sufficient for a large company such as yourswith dedicated staff and departments.

 

if this went to court there would be an extremelygood prospect of success, this is backed by case law.However, I am mindful of additional costs that such action could incur both onmy part and on yours so I trust you will give consideration to my request.

 

Thus take this letter as 28 days writtennotice of my intention to issue a court claim should you not comply with myrequest. I hope that you will enter into a sincere dialogue with me about thismatter and I am writing this letter to you on the assumption that you willprefer to do this than merely respond with standard letters and leaflets.

 

 

 

Yours faithfully,

We live in an unmoderated country why should the net be any different?

Bring back free speech we miss it!

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 4125 days.

If you need to add something to this thread then

 

Please click the "Report " link

 

at the bottom of one of the posts.

 

If you want to post a new story then

Please

Start your own new thread

That way you will attract more attention to your story and get more visitors and more help 

 

Thanks

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 Caggers

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Have we helped you ...?


×
×
  • Create New...