Halifax, realistically, how long before they repossess?

Legacy_user

Went BR in December and haven't paid the mortgage since. Long story but I'll be glad to be rid of the place!

I've had several 'standard' letters from them saying they may send someone 'round and that they may now take further action.

What I'd like to know is, how long is it before they are actually going to boot us out?

I gather that once a repossession order is granted by the court that we'll have 28 days, which is fine - if need be we can move in with friends temporarily before we start renting. Obviously though i'd like to string this out for a while if possible as it will give us more chance of getting a rental deposit together in time.

Is it worth writing to them giving our circumstances to lengthen the process? I take it we really shouldn't mention voluntary repossession at this stage?

IF

Just bumping up the board, see if any other posters have dealt with the Halifax and repossession.

If...x

System

Bumpity bump

missminx007

i was with the halifax and stopped paying the mortgage in feb, property was reposessed in november and is currently on the market, i think its been put on in the last month

System

Thanks Minx. What kind of 'hassle' did you get on the run up to the repossession?

immoral_angeluk

From experience of dealing with repossessions generally it's unusual for any possession proceedings to be started after less than 6-9 months. That isn't to say that they don't start sooner but it's impossible to say as it depends on your circumstances. Do they know you're intending on giving up the property?

flexrider

Never been repo my self but i did watch a program on the TV the other day about it and from what i gathered they take around 12 weeks to 6-9 months to get the ball rolling.

Do they know you want to leave

immoral_angeluk

If you think of it in terms of the actual repossession court process presuming no negotiations take place it's undefended and the lender decides to do everything strictly by the time limits to speed it through (it can take longer).

Lender sends you 14 day notice of intent to seek possession
14 days later lender issues court proceedings and a hearing is allocated (for maybe a month later to allow the defendant time to receive, complete and return the defence forms). It's usually around a month from my experience anyway.
Month later is the court hearing date. Case undefended so judge awards 28 possession order (although they could give 56 days if you need more time to find accommodation for example)
28 days later the lender applies back to court for a warrant of eviction.
Warrant of eviction is granted and notice served on the defendant (possibly up to 2-3 weeks from the court application, dependant on court)
Notice of eviction gives time/date possession will take place and you must be out of the property. Usually about 14 days after the notice is issued
Eviction date.

Obviously these are estimates, but it generally the time scales I regularly deal with. At bare minimum from the start of possession proceedings I'd say you're looking at 3 months from notice to eviction date. But this can vary wildly depending on the lender and your circumstances. You also have the time it takes for them to actually decide to issue proceedings to factor in..

System

OK, thanks for this.

The crux of the question for me is - do I tell them I'm intending VR or just "be quiet".

immoral_angeluk

messedupmoney wrote: »

OK, thanks for this.

The crux of the question for me is - do I tell them I'm intending VR or just "be quiet".

VR *might* speed them up, but having said that it might not. I've seen cases where people have VR'd but the house STILL hasn't been repossessed 12 months later. If you VR you would obviously need to leave the property and hand the keys back, and will still be liable for council tax (after 6 months vacant), insurance etc so you might as well stick it out til the bitter end.
If you VR it could also affect any future homeless applications you make as they may see you as intentionally homeless.
Might be worth asking your lender if they would do voluntary assisted sale?

System

Thanks guys.