NRe-mortgage application fee - can I get it bacK?

starburst22

Hi all and firstly, great site!

I just came off a 2 year fixed with A&L and was about to fix for another 2 years with Natwest when the interest rates dropped again. Unfortunately, I had just paid the application fee of £499 upfront before the interest rate drop, and effectively tried to negotiate with the bank to allow me to consider their new rates and for my fee not to lapse or to be transferred to a new deal. New rates were not out so I had to wait a bit.

Fast forward about 2 weeks, I (allegedly) received a voicemail from the bank saying that if I didnt contact them, my application would lapse. I had not contacted the bank but was in touch with the solicitors and told them to hold as I was trying to re-negotiate with Natwest on the rate before I sent papers in. Since I never received the voicemail, I didnt call the bank back until this week when they now tell me they closed the application last week as they hadn't heard from me. I said it was unreasonable to not even follow up the voicemail or at least write a letter to indicate they would close the application when I had already paid £500. As usual, bank not having any of it.

Any ideas apart from burning down the headquarters?

Thanks!

dwsjarcmcd

You won't 'negotiate' rates with lenders and NatWest won't refund the fee. The best course of action would be to ask them to re-open your application and credit the fee to whatever rate they have available.