Halifax mortgages A/ roll numbers issue

Oxglos

Dear Fivesquare, You have my utter sympathy. I'm in the same position. Your mortgage was one of the small number not picked up when Halifax mortgages were migrated to a new computer system in March 2013. This means, like me, you still had an A/ roll number and cannot take advantage of the 10-minute "switch to a new deal" facility on the Halifax website.

Halifax quote the stricter FCA regulations introduced last year as a reason for forcing non-migrated customers to go through a complete mortgage application route. It makes no sense since migrated customers can still take advantage of the "execution-only" route to switch.

In our case, we don't want to borrow more, change the term or do anything except apply for a new fixed rate. We were told it would take six weeks. But my husband and I commenced this application process in April 2015 and we STILL don't have an offer (19 August 2015). We have had to supply pay slips, tax returns, pension statements, proof of rental income, employer statements, give a full breakdown of monthly outgoings, including being asked about the type of pubs we might have dinner in occasionally etc etc. One phone call alone took 2 hours 12 mins.

I have spent many many more days doing the admin for and chasing the application (communication has been very poor). Halifax issued a "recommendation" after about six weeks but apart from sporadic contact from the solicitors doing the conveyance (yes, solicitors - we're not even moving house but have had to sign mortgage deed stuff), we still feel a long way from getting an offer. Just today, we were told Halifax wanted more payslips as the ones we submitted in June were now out of date!

I complained formally at the outset about having a non-migrated mortgage and thus being forced down the application route (which FCA guidelines specifically said should not be necessary for existing mortgage customers under "transitional arrangements") but the complaint was flatly rejected. I will be bringing a fresh complaint about the inordinate delay in processing our application . . . if and when we finally get to the end of it.

If you have the option to switch lender, I'd really consider it. If not, I hope you have stamina and much better luck than we have had. Efficiency may of course depend on which "adviser" you get.

Good luck!

gentlewoman

This is a very interesting thread! Thanks so much for reviving it Oxglos and for posting your story.

I'm with Halifax and have an A/ roll number too! My fixed rate is due to end in about one year from now (July 2016). I'm not looking to change anything either, and my mortgage is a standard repayment mortgage, 20 years or so left, and ends way before my retirement age.

I cannot believe Halifax is not letting us simply switch online! I'm really hoping they'll let me fix to a new rate as I have some CC debt now and I don't think I can remortgage with other lenders.

Why did you need to use solicitors? I'm very confused, this wasn't a re-mortgage, you stayed with the same lender. Did you incur any costs?

Perhaps it is easier through a broker, although someone posted earlier that brokers can't help in this case...

Please, any broker who is active on the forum - can you tell us whether you have processed a rate switch with Halifax for those with A/ roll numbers?

Thank you.