Mortgage Exit Fees successes and failures

homie_2

I sent a letter off to the Halifax on 1st Feb, stating that I was charged £150 exit fee when I paid off my mortgage two years ago, although my contract stated a fee of £50. Today I received a letter from them offering to reimburse the entire fee and some... they have offered me £175. Result!!!
Thankyou Martin, now I am waiting on a response about my council tax rebanding!!!

Tony_M_2

I've just re-mortgaged as many others have using the excellent L&C, was with First Active and they have charged an Admin fee of £225.00. I shredded most of the documents as I no longer need them. I called though to clarify what their charges are, they quoted as per my original offer, currently it is £195.00 I argued that "I've been charged £225.00" in their eyes currently means it can change! Because of the unique way they work I now have to wait 48 hours for a customer services person to call me so I can discuss it with them! if they ever call me that is, so a letter might be needed here I think.

yaznyl

Hi

I used the template on Martins website and have today recieved a reply from Northern Rock. My original contract 'exit fee' was £195 but I was charged £250. I have been asked to complete and return an 'Acceptance Declaration' and on reciept they will refund £55.

(I have also used Martins template letters to claim back my bank charges for the last 6 years, I have put in a claim for over £1500 and am waiting for a response from the bank.......fingers crossed.)

Thanks Martin.

billyand

I wrote to northern rock last week asked for the difference in fee. received letter today offering 70 pound , just to sign agreement and they will send cheque Not bad for a few minutes work

exasiarower

Spoke to HBOS this morning - they are intending charging £175 as a Repayment Adminstration Fee, whereas the fee was £100 at the time I took out the mortgage - they say that their policy is to only charge what was published at the time the contract was signed, so will be refunding the difference - BUT IT'S WORTH CHASING TO ENSURE.

As Martin said, try calling your lender first (with mortgage roll number, mortgage start date & redemption date) and see what they say.

Thanks for the tip - you've saved me £75!!!

:T :T

curiousmind_2

I contacted the Halifax and received a reply saying they had investigated, and the fees they charged were detailed in the info which accompanied mortgage offer (I cannot find this documentation). They then say as gesture of good will they will send me £25.00 in full and final settlement of complaint and ask me to sign and return acceptance form ..... this sounds to me as though I am being fobbed off, has anyone else received similar?

Tom_Jones

Grabbit wrote:

err they're not any more.
See my earlier post

Yep I agree, it took me 5 mins to get my refund which was in my bank today, shame it took them 14 weeks to send my deeds last year though grrrrr !!!!

Tony_M_2

Update on First Active, a nice chap called me back and offered to refund me £30.00, the difference between the original charge and what I had been charged. I was told they communicated the changes to fees last year but, I don't have a copy of this! Asked if I considered the offer acceptable and that as far as I was concerned the matter is closed, clearly I mentioned that the £195.00 was still high but if that was the amount when I took the mortgage then not much I can do about that. He also said that they are aware that the FSA are looking into the charges, so it might be worth seeing what happened at the end of month and calling back if First Active lower their charges.

Silkysox

Nile wrote:

:j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j

MSE Martin is wonderful:A

The Cheltenham & Gloucester are sending us a cheque for over £200!:D

I dialled 0845 603 1637 and pressed option 5 (don't wait to listen to all the options;) ) to query the MEAF.

I phoned C&G same as Nile on above number this morning, quick and helpful response. I just said I think I am due a refund of exit fees - quoted my old mortgage account number - simple as that. We took out mortgage in 1996 and via good advice with London and County remortgaged with First Active in April/May 2005. Charged £225 exit/admin fee by C&G. The customer services assistant confirmed £248 (£225 + interest at the time we took out the mortgage with C&G there was no such charge she told me) will be paid directly into our bank account in 5 working days. I love MSE:T :T :T and am going to tell everyone I know.

rachelshopper

Sent all letters at same time - had £95 back from Northern Rock - but Leeds are waiting until 28th Feb and Mortgage Works has put to a complaints dept. Original mortgage was not with Leeds but GMAC - and Leeds bought the mortgage book from them but despite no mention of fees when taking out GMAC mortgage Leeds still sitting on fence. Roll on 28th Feb!