F&F on Repossession Shortfall

one_in_6billion

Hi All

My husband had his house repossessed in 1999 (before he met me) and walked away from a shortfall of £18k after Halifax sold his house for £10k (he bought it for £20k).

In 2005 (just before it expired) he was contacted by an intermediary company about the debt. To cut a long story short, we have had loads of letters back and forth, served a SARN and ultimately decided to try our luck and offer £1k in f&f.

We sent the offer direct to the Halifax but the intermediary wrote back and said their client will accept £2500 in F&f and to send it within 28 days.

Do you think we should try and get them to meet us in the middle or just send the £2500 (which we can probably raise)? The intermediary said to send them the cheque - is this OK or should we send it to Halifax?

Finally, the National Debtline website advises to send settlements via a third party - does anyone know anymore about this? Could I send the cheque on behalf of my husband?

Any advice appreciated!

Toto

If I am correct, the expiry on mortgage debts etc is 12 years not 6 as it is for unsecured debt. If that's the case I would accept the £2500 as settlement, pay up and move on.

one_in_6billion

Yes, I think we probably will just pay the £2500 just to finally get this over and done with as its been hanging over my husband's head for so long.

Does anyone have any advice about paying the F&F through a third party??

Toto

If the creditor has come to you with the settlement figure there is no need to go via a third party. However, do ask for confirmation in writing that the money is for full and final settlement of the debt before you pay it.