Need advice on mortgage holiday

dexstar_03

I need advice on what to do!

We have been living in our house for 18 months now. We have never missed a payment or been late on a payment. We took 1 payment holiday in July 2008. Here is the story:

Our child was born in March, we did not know about a 6 month maternity holiday until today. We took a payment holiday in July. I have asked for the 6 month maternity break but we must pay 9 consecutive months of payments to qualify but when we have done this we will not be able to take the holiday because our child will be over 1 year old!!!

We took the payment holiday in July because we were struggling as my partner was on maternity leave.
When I called Northern Rock to ask for a 1 month payment holiday AT NO POINT was I advised that I could take a 6 month holiday even though I said the reason we were struggling to pay was because of a child.

So because we had that payment holiday we are now not going to be able to have the 6 month break because our child will be too old by the time we have made 9 consecutive payments!

Like I said we have always paid on time and never missed a payment! I feel like I am being punished for their member of staff not telling me about the 6 month break we could have qualified for!

We are really struggling at the minute and a break would be a godsend! Does anyone have any advice as to what I can do? Surely they can't deny me having this break when their own member of staff did not notify me about it in the first place?

Please help!

feisty1

dexstar 03: From where did you obtain the information today? When you phoned in July, did you just request one month's payment only. I think they may advise you re maternity leave it will be in the T&C's of yr contract. No harm in pursuing it tho. In the meantime, would it help if you changed to interest only. Do you know if yr insurances cover "career break"

http://www.northernrock.co.uk/mortgages/flexibility.asp

dexstar_03

Hi Feisty,

We are already on interest only. When I called in July I didn't say I ONLY want a 1 month payment holiday specifically, I thought this way the only option. I also called in September to change to interest only and was not told then about this maternity break either. And for the record both times I called I told them we were struggling because of a new child.

What is a career break? I have took a £10,000 pay cut 6 months back to change careers, would that qualify?

dexstar_03

Oh and the information was given to me today by one of their helpdesk team, she has been chasing it all day for me because she thinks its so unfair herself. We will miss qualifying for the break by just over a month!

feisty1

I'm referring to yr insurance policies, have a read over them to see what yr covered for. Keep persisting, as I said it will be in the T&C's, which could be their get out clause, however the proof is there that you called and made adjustments..good luck & persevere

dexstar_03

I'm not really sure which insurance policies you mean Feisty?

feisty1

Do you have life insurance for critical illness/life/income protection/mortgage protection etc

paulfaz

fiesty1 - enlighten me please. What's insurance got to do with any of this???

dexstar_03

I've only got life insurance