Platform Home Loans: Reclaim Charges, Fees

jm2k

Hi.
I have been having an huge on-going problems with Platform since I become too ill to work and have faced court twice (due to be a third visit) with repossession on my debt arrears of £800!
Due to massive issues with the DWP totally messing all my benefits I had to claim since losing my job through ill health ( I always overpaid mortgage when employed), it resulted in my income being just £40 wk to live on, and having to pay the mortgage on this was impossible which meant I fell into arrears, even though I paid what I could as often as possible.
Platform took me to court, etc etc, and I had to pay an extra £40 a month which was impossible as I couldn't meet the original minimum payments at the time.
Have since been back to court and thankfully the judge scrapped this to allow time for the DWP to sort out my claim and adjust my benefit etc and we are due back in Feb to review my DWP status.
The DWP is still in progress which has delayed payments to Platform for the mortgage interest but is commencing again in January.
However, each and every single month I missed or made a nominal payment, I am charged at least £40. (£40 late payment fee plus additional administration charges for handling unpaid payments (no amount stated)).
Some months I have paid £30, others £60 towards the shortfall, but the £30 was under the required amount and the £60 was higher than the required amount.
Clearly when they add the £40 each month, it has increased my arrears and made my debt worse despite my making every single effort to pay what I can as often as possible.
Also, the huge burden of trying to deal with the very unhelpful Platform has had a massive contribution to my deteriorating health and has caused me to be ill for longer than trying to help me resolve any of the debt arrears.

So, basically, I am trying to find out if I can re-claim any of these fee's or charges?
If these were refunded, they would probably dramatically reduce, if not clear the arrears I am facing.
Also, each time I am in court, their solicitors are charging me over £460 a time. Can I claim anything of this back as I always try to negotiate with them before court to stop it getting that far but they never wish to discuss any reduced payments, only the full arrears due!

I always used to over-pay whenever I was working, never missed payments etc, yet as soon as I had difficulty and become ill, all they care about is repossessing the house as it is of considerable equity as it was bought before the housing boom, some 10 yrs ago.

many thanks

dunstonh

So, basically, I am trying to find out if I can re-claim any of these fee's or charges?

Unless they have done something technically wrong then no you cannot. The FSA did a review of the arrears fees a few years back and did find some faults with a few sub prime lenders. However, in general it found little wrong with the fee. As long as they say what they are doing for the fee and do it then they are allowed to charge it.

roonaldo

Fee's are allowed. An issue with this if the fee's are making your arrears and problems with Platform worse, also them being excessive.

However from what you have said the issues are unrelated to Platform but DWP issues and you being unable to work due to illness.

jm2k

roonaldo wrote: »

Fee's are allowed. An issue with this if the fee's are making your arrears and problems with Platform worse, also them being excessive.

However from what you have said the issues are unrelated to Platform but DWP issues and you being unable to work due to illness.

Some of issues are a result from DWP, but the huge charges being made by Platform are causing even further financial hardship and distress and making my health much worse and ill for longer, such as facing eviction and repossession every couple of months, as I am trying to meet their payments but they wont accept my lower amounts and still keep adding more charges when I pay lower than they want each month?
If they were not charging so much, then the arrears wouldn't be increasing and my payments would be paying the arrears and not their fee's so I wouldn't be facing continued threats off them, court every few months, and I would be slowly getting back on my feet? hope that helps?

roonaldo

You should certainly write to them and explain like you just have.

BullDogLoverLondon

Have you tried contact Platform's head of compliance? You may want to try raising an official complaint

jm2k

BullDogLoverLondon wrote: »

Have you tried contact Platform's head of compliance? You may want to try raising an official complaint

will check who the last letter is from after raising a complaint and being palmed off and see if there is a higher process.
I was charged £40 admin after they added insurance despite my showing them I had it and they were named, but still would remove the fee, two years running. still cant get that removed so made complaint, no hope at all.
will check and re-try, if needed I will now complain to FO.
thanks