Mortgage Exit Fees successes and failures

MS35

MS35 wrote:

I've registered a request with Abbey using the standard template for a refund and they have acknowledged receipt, but now sent me a further form with some additional (simple) questions like date of opening and closing - all information they already know - and asking for us to sign the form and return it.

However there is a declaration as part of the form which says "Please sign to acknowledge that you are entitled to this refund and that no other claims have (or will) be made in relation to the repayment fee on the above mortgage account"

As we don't yet know how much, if anything they are offering to refund should we sign and agree to this?

Any thoughts? Thanks

Thanks for the replies, we didn't sign the declaration but sent it back with the following after completing the details with the information they gave us.

" ....The enquiry form has been completed but we are extremely disappointed in this stalling tactic. All of the information needed was already available to you from your records. You actually provided the remaining details for completion of the form in a recent telephone call that we made to your offices.

The form is returned unsigned. We are not prepared to sign this declaration without knowing the value of the refund you will be making.

Please refer to our original letter dated XX XXX XXXX for our authority to review the refund of our overpayment and we would now expect to receive the refund within the next 10 working days. ........"

This worked for us, and although it cost us two recorded letters and we didn't go for interest, we have had £160 refunded.

AHAR

I've just phoned Halifax's dedicated number - 08451 20 30 33 and after a few minutes I got through to someone who took my mortgage roll number, approximate start and redemption dates and then came up with the refund figure of £100 which was what my own paperwork suggested and told me everything should be resolved within 28 days.
They also have a pdf file listing their historical exit fees available here:
http://www.halifax.co.uk/mortgages/pdf/HistoricExitFees.pdf

Thanks Martin for bringing this opportunity to my attention!

Redmikee

About a month ago we switched mortgages from Abbey and paid £225 exit fee.
I phoned them today and they told me i should have paid £99 and they will send me a cheque for the difference, no forms required.The whole call took about 3 mins and I am £126 better off:D

Mike

MarkyMarkD

foreversummer wrote:

Hi

Contacted the Woolwich this morning. Given refund of £182.60 - wow it was so easy! Lady knew instantly how much they owed me.

I didn't expect this much as, although I had a mortgage with them for around 8 years, I had remortgaged onto a new deal every two years with them. However, seems that they calculate from when you take the first mortgage.

They shouldn't have done. They should go back to the date of your last product switch (and it's NOT a remortgage unless you change lender). The FSA were very clear about this so if Woolwich are going back to your first mortgage, they are being over-generous.

Chappers_3

I said I would let you know how long it took. Well my phone call to Halifax was on Friday 23 Feb at 4pm and today Wed 28 Feb the cheque for £50 refund arrived. No letters No forms just a 'sorry for my inconvenience'. So thats not bad for 2 working days!

I also phoned the Abbey on 23 Feb and they obviously have a different procedure. Today I received a short form to complete to claim my excess fees. Easier than writing a letter though. I will return the form tomorrow and then see how long it takes to get my £126 back.

(I also found a £1 coin in my locker at the gym today!

Level42

We recently ended our mortgage with Abbey. Had to pay £225.00. Enclosed letter to demand refund of £125.00' which they lost.:mad:

Eventually received pointless form to complete and waited. Received cheque for £175.00. Brilliant. :T

Thanks Martin

isayoldchap

Redmikee wrote:

About a month ago we switched mortgages from Abbey and paid £225 exit fee.
I phoned them today and they told me i should have paid £99 and they will send me a cheque for the difference, no forms required.The whole call took about 3 mins and I am £126 better off:D

Mike

Well done for getting a quick reply from them.I must say that if a customer didn't pay a bill for a few years the banks would have added a charge plus intrest.

Whilst £126 is nice, wouldn't you have prefered £136 or £146 instead.

I would ask about the intrest and how it's been calculated.Don't let them get away with it.It's your money

blacklorne

I used Martins template letter and sent it off on the 8th of feb, I had no details of my mortgage account just gave them my previous address and my name. The first letter I received said they would look into it and the second received yesterday 28th Feb had a cheque for £100!
Thank you martin for this top tip.

mandrews_2

Redmikee wrote:

About a month ago we switched mortgages from Abbey and paid £225 exit fee.
I phoned them today and they told me i should have paid £99 and they will send me a cheque for the difference, no forms required.The whole call took about 3 mins and I am £126 better off:D

Mike

What's the telephone number for Abbey? Thanks.

lolamancity

Just to report my success...

Phoned Halifax today on the off chance they could do it over the phone, because truthfully, i couldnt really be bothered searching through loads of old paperwork at home. Didnt have roll number or anything, but the guy on the phone searched for my details from my address and my existing Halifax Bank Account (whilst asking me a few of the usual security questions). My mortgage ran from Jan 03 to Sept 05, and turns out the exit fees were £75 in 2003, and i was actually charged £175 in 2005 when i changed to an infinitely better mortgage with Bristol and West.

Result = £100 owed. The guy said "would you like me to get this actioned for you now" errrrrr too right! Cheque is in the post!

I rang 08457 27 37 47, opt 2 then opt 1 - they didnt ask any questions, just did it!

Thanks loads MSE!