Mortgage Exit Fees successes and failures

cindydoll

Hi
I closed my mortgage in 2003, but did not have any details. Just range the halifax and gave the nice man on a dedicated phone line the closing date of the mortgage and 5 minutes later he told me I should receive a cheque in the post within in the next few days, but definately within 28 days for £75. Thanks Martin you are a diamond.

peskycat

Followed Martin's advice and filled in the template letter sent it off to Standard Life and received a cheque for £50 nine days later. :T

millie1

Hi all. I'm new to all this, but just thought I'd share with you! Just called Standard Life to ask for refund of mortage exit fee and they said they'll refund £200 to my account in 5 working days!

Also phoned Abbey who are sending me a form re: same.

Just two phonecalls and potentially 100s of pounds for Xmas!

Am also waging war against First Plus re: mis-sold PPI worth nearly £10,000, but will post on that section about that.

Will let you know what happens with Abbey. Thanks so much Martin Lewis - it's about time consumers started fighting this daylight robbery by finance companies!

Osh

Sorry to put dampner on things, but I've just contacted The Principality Building Society. We had a mortgage with them 2 years ago. They were very clever and put a statement in the small print of the mortgage terms and conditions. This statement said that we allowed them to charge us £125 exit fees. A contract which we of course signed back in 2003. Anybody know whether something can be done about that?

techspec

Osh wrote: »

Sorry to put dampner on things, but I've just contacted The Principality Building Society. We had a mortgage with them 2 years ago. They were very clever and put a statement in the small print of the mortgage terms and conditions. This statement said that we allowed them to charge us £125 exit fees. A contract which we of course signed back in 2003. Anybody know whether something can be done about that?

If you were quoted £125, and you paid £125, then there is no claim.

The reason most of us are getting paid, is because we were quoted one figure (in my case £85), and charged another (in my case £225).

I recieved the difference back (£140).

Your difference is £0, i'm afraid.

dunstonh

Osh wrote: »

Sorry to put dampner on things, but I've just contacted The Principality Building Society. We had a mortgage with them 2 years ago. They were very clever and put a statement in the small print of the mortgage terms and conditions. This statement said that we allowed them to charge us £125 exit fees. A contract which we of course signed back in 2003. Anybody know whether something can be done about that?

The FSA ruling is that the lenders should not increase the amount above what was on the last offer letter that you signed (they can increase it with FSA approval which is given on reasonable increases only).

So, you agreed to £125 exit charge and that is what they have charged you. Nothing to claim back.

They were very clever and put a statement in the small print of the mortgage terms and conditions.

Your solicitor would have advised you of the key terms and conditions before you signed the contract. Assuming you used one of course. If you didnt, it is your responsibility to know what you are signing.

It is obvious that the lender is going to put terms and conditions in the terms and conditions section of the contract. What isnt clever is not reading these (or getting a solicitor to to it).

LynneJ

Thank you, Thank you Martin, after receiving your email yesterday and being:T in need of money for Christmas, I phoned the Halifax re mortgage fees they have agreed to pay me £135.00 after I sign a letter saying I agree to this figure. I had actually been charged £225 and had only initially agreed to pay £40 but £50.00 was for deeds despatch but they informed me that the FSA had not ruled on this so they would not be able to repay this. Still I am happy with £135.00. Next money back is the tax office as I have been taxed over £150.00 last tax year and earned under £1,000. Any advice on how to do this would be appreciated.

viva_espana

I found this site two weeks ago and already I'm £135 better off!
I had my mortgage roll number but couldn't remember the date we closed our mortgage. I rang the dedicated phone number given on this site and spoke to a very pleasant man at the Halifax. He explained that if I took I.D. into any branch of the bank and told them what details I knew they would be able to give me the information I needed. This took me less than 5 minutes, followed by another quick phone call to an equally pleasant Halifax operative who said I would receive a cheque within 28 days. It was so easy and stress free, don't put off the phone call.:j
Thanks Martin.

steven-we

hi, phoned the woolwich today on the number listed on the site, i`d no account number, just gave them my name and address. i answered a couple of basic security questions, then was put on hold for about 30 seconds. then a very nice lady informed me that they had charged me £275 instead of £65, she apoligised and told me the money pluse interest would be in my current account within 5 working days, £217 for literally a 2 minute phone call. thanks for all the great advice on the site.

steven

tigernymph

I followed the advice, took a deep breath and phoned Nat West as I remortgaged 18months ago,armed with my old mortgage account number. I told the girl who answered that I wanted to reclaim my mortgage exit fees. She did a few security checks, asked me to hold for 30seconds while she checked my account and then said the £225would be in my account within 10days. She was very polite, helpful and there were no awkwardquestions.Many thanks Martin, this is a bonus I really didn't expect!And this on top of saving £100 on my house and contents renewal using the tipson the site...my debts are getting less!:money: :j :T