Advice on Repossession charges

Rach_39

My husband bought a house with his ex but after 3 months he moved out and asked her to sell it. She refused to at that time but then after 18 months of not paying any bills she moved out and sent the keys back to the lender. My husband had been writing to and phoning the lenders asking them to repossess and they wouldn't. Even after she sent the keys back they took another year before the repossession went through and by that time had added massive bills to the outstanding balance. My husband paid all the legal fees and the deposit when they bought the property and has been landed with outstanding bills for the utilities which he's paid regardless of the fact they were after he moved out.
He's had a bill from the lender for just under £50,000.00. It's gone to her too but she's not going to do anything because she knows that he will. It includes legal fees which I know are ridiculous as I'm a conveyancing lawyer. They've also charged for the garden being kept tidy when it wasn't as we went past the property a number of times. They have then charged the early repayment penalty which is ridiculous because he didn't repay the mortgage early so I don't think they should add that and lastly they sold the house for nearly £30,000 less than the current market price!
If anyone can offer advice on how to get this debt down to a reasonable amount please do.
We could offer a full and final settlement of possible £2,500.00 by the end of the year but would they accept this?
Thanks
Rach

DarkConvict

For the under selling of the property, read this - http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=11_mortgage_shortfalls

As to her not paying, if it is a joint account then you will struggle to change it as your both liable to pay any money owed in full.

As to the utility bills, i believe they are owed by the occupants not the owners, but as this is already paid there is no point in disputing it.

He best bet would probably be to work out costs incurred and st about taking her to a small claims court for 1/2 of the courts incurred and those due to incur. With a CCJ in hand he could then seek recovery including use of bailiffs if needed.

Rach_39

Hi,
Thanks for that web link, that will be really useful. His ex won't pay a penny if she can get away with it so it's something that we've got to sort out ourselves and taking her to Court will just incur even more expense on our part because she's got alot of CCJ's already and doesn't care about them so she wouldn't pay us back and it's better for us to have to pay the debts off than have any contact with her.

Thanks again
Rach