Mortgage Exit Fees successes and failures

barloo69

Am a bit confused and after some advice.

Wrote off to Abbey a few weekes ago re my being charged a higher MEAF than when I took out the mortgage. Fine I thought, thats a simple enough claim procedure.

Today I have received from Shabby a letter together with a declaration form requiring details of when I opened the mortgage, closed the mortgage, mortgagee holder names, inside leg measurement !!

I wouldve thought that these details are all details which Abbey have on their records already so why therefore are they asking me to complete and sign this form. Is this a stalling method, to try and make me not bother pursuing with my claim. I note from their covering letter that they mention that if they dont receive the form back within 4 weeks they will automatically presume I no longer wish to claim and will close my claim enquiry.

Any ideas, thoughts or advice gratefully

Thanks

dunstonh

Abbey have got their hands slapped a few times regarding treatment of complaints. Companies with areas identified as being poor often have to go through more hoops and this is their response to their problems. Its effectively standardising the complaint process so they dont make as many "errors" in the future.

Happymoneysaver_2

Wasn't sure if this would work, but it did. I used the template letter but had to hash it about as I had no idea of my charges or any other details at time I took the mortgage out, just the dates and mortgage number. Anyway it was with Mortgage Express, they charged me 235GBP mortgage exit fee, I have had a reply now which tells me I will be getting a refund of 190GBP. Absolutely delighted!

mikbruin

Wrote to alliance/leicester asking for £245 of the £295 back
2 days later letter saying sorry you signed up for it so no refund.
By return sent letter B below
Today another 3 days on, got FULL £295 back !!!! EASY:D
Good advice on this site...GO FOR IT:T:j

NB this is very successful, as it was a mortgage taken out after the fee was raised to 295 in 2004.

Dear Sir


I thank you for your letter dated xxx May 2009 relating to the charge made for work done in closing my mortgage early.

I regret I am not happy with your reply. While I accept my mortgage did not run its full course of 25 years, I am prepared to pay the reasonable cost of the work you have done in closing it early, however I am not prepared to pay a punitive charge levied as a fine, which I believe £295 to be.

It is my intention to issue proceedings to recover the charge less what I feel to be reasonable. I understand that £50 would more than represent the cost to the bank of this work. However I wish to be totally fair, and would request that if it costs the bank more than £50 you should submit an itemised list to me, with costed labour and materials used.

I therefore give notice that after 14 days from the date of this letter, I intend to issue a summons in the Northampton county court, if I have neither received a refund of £245 or a reasonable breakdown of the costs you have incurred.

I thank you for your help.

Yours Sincerely,

Joe Bloggs:rotfl:

mikbruin

I followed your advice. Now 295 richer. thanks.

lechatnoir_2

My husband and I have just successfully got refunds of £200 and £112 from Barclays and C & G respectively, phone in it's quicker and instant, forget the letters in the first instance!

sbc_2

Took your advice and I am now £295 richer! brilliant because i've just been made redundant... every penny counts

rnesbitt

Took your advice and got £90 back from Woolwich, the difference plus interest (very easy). The big winner was Bank of Ireland but it wasn't easy. I got the full £195 back, I agrued that as they have now stopped their MEAF completely they should refund me the full amount as they were bound by the FSA statement which says [FONT=&quot]“we [/FONT][FONT=&quot]would expect any lender that receives a complaint from a past customer to treat that customer in the same way they would treat a current customer in the same situation". After some argueing I won :T, that's now £285 in my pocket for a phonecall and 2 letters!! Result. [/FONT]

dunstonh

as they were bound by the FSA statement which says [FONT="]“we [/FONT][FONT="]would expect any lender that receives a complaint from a past customer to treat that customer in the same way they would treat a current customer in the same situation".[/FONT]

That wouldnt have impacted on their decision as it has nothing to do with your complaint.

[FONT="]After some argueing I won :T, that's now £285 in my pocket for a phonecall and 2 letters!! Result.[/FONT]

They probably got fed up with you and decided it was cheaper to pay you off.
[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

phoenix__

I've got a mortgage with C&G which is being transferred to Chelsea next month. The current contract I have with C&G says there will be a charge of around £250 when I close the account. I started the mortgage in June 2007 but I think I actually signed up for the mortgage earlier in the year.

Is it better for me to write to them now and question the charge they will probably be applying, or should I wait until I've seen them actually charge it and then query it?

Cheers,
-Jeff