Mortgage Exit Fees successes and failures

whitewing

I first heard of moneysavingexpert.com over the weekend from an article by
Martin in the Times. On Monday (28th May) I phoned Halifax's dedicated line for mortgages. I had only my mortgage roll number. I took out my mortgage in 1999. I sold my house last summer. I spoke to a very professional and polite young lady. She advised me that unless I heard otherwise I would receive a cheque for £125 within 28 days. I was on the phone approx 4 minutes - most of that was queuing as lines were busy or listening to the automated message on the FSA ruling re mortgage exit administration fees. Thank you, Martin. I was nervous that I would be up for a fight, but Halifax couldn't have handled it more professionally (assuming the cheque turns up). I actually think the way they seem to be handling it would make me more likely to use them again in the future as you know that they will look into issues sensibly. (I don't have a mortgage at the moment).

gillyb_2

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I have recently redeemed my mortgage and was charged £275 exit fee. On reading this thread I rang The Woolwich, using the dedicated telephone line I found on this site, regarding this matter and I've now received a refund cheque for £225.

Thank you so much for the tip. Brilliant!!

mabeline95

Hi

I recently wrote to Alliance & Lecister to complain after being charged £295 deeds release fee instead of the £195 quoted when I took out my original mortgage.

They have refunded me £100 stating:-

"we have decided to refund the fee payable to customers who took out their mortgage before August 2004 to the original level. I am pleased to refund the difference between the fee in place at the time you took a mortgage with us compared to the £295 Redemption Admin Charge that was incurred on closure of your account"

Many Thanks Martin as I would not have received this without your advice and using your template!

sharl1234

CALLED A&L AFTER GOING ON THIS SITE YESTERDAY BECAUSE I HAD A MORGAGE WITH THEM IN 2003 BEFORE I MOVED HOUSE I HAD NO DETAILS OF A MORGAGE NUMBER JUST THE PHONE NUMBER FROM THE SITE I TOLD THE WOMAN ON THE PHONE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO CHECK IF I WAS CHARGED A MORGAGE EXIT FEE WHEN I WAS WITH THEM I WAS ASKED FOR MY PREVIOUS ADDRESS AND MY DOB THEN TOLD I PAYED A FEE OF £295 AND I SHOULD ONLY HAVE PAYED £195 SO THEY WILL SEND ME A CHEQUE OUT FOR £100 ASAP WITH A LETTER :beer: IF I HAD NOT LOOKED ON THIS GREAT SITE I WOULNOT HAVE KNOWN AND IT TOOK 5 MINUTES OF MY TIME :rotfl:

Lou33_2

Thank you money saving expert - having read your guide to reclaim your mortgage exit fee, I put it to the test:

1st up the Halifax, they are going to refund me £100

2nd - Birmingham Midshires, they too will be refunding me but will have to go into their archives to confirm how much as I exited my mortgage with them 4 years previous.

So two quick phonecalls was all it took and the staff were very helpful. I fully encourage anyone out there to reclaim what is due to you - do it now!

moneysaver999_2

Thank you so much for the article. Having changed mortgage providers two years ago, I had a look at the paperwork and noticed that I had been charged £140 to change by my old provider - Nottingham Building Society. When I looked at the original mortgage, suprise suprise, quoted fee to change was only £50. I sent off template letter and recieved a reply the following week stating that in addition to the £50 they had also charged a finding fee of £40. So 'in good faith' they enclose a cheque for the difference - £50.
Better than a kick in the head and more importantly one up for the customer. Again thanks for the advise, keep up the good work.

moneysquirrel_2

I had bought a house in 2004- sold in 2006. The fee had crept up from 115 to 175. So I called up Halifax on the number on Martin's website. Within 10 minutes the cheque was in the post!
I expected a cheque of £60, but got £100. I assume they gave me some interest on it, but maybe there is a goodwill top-up as well?
I am not complaining!

claremann

After reading the article, a 2 minute phone call to Woolwich this morning earned me £81.82 back! For a very cash strapped single parent this is fantastic, thanks MSE!

silver_1_2

Hi. Just had letter from Northern Rock they owe me £100. This is another success as Halifax owed me £75 . Thankyou Martin x:j :j :j :j :j :j

TC3_2

Thanks to you, and my Sister who also uses this site, I reclaimed my Admin fee with just one letter and had a refund of £110 back within 48 hours.
Keep up the good work.