Santander Repossession

Markas

Not a wind up at all! Please do not accuse me of trolling. I haven't the time to sit here and be The Simpson's Computer Guy!

As for Mum being burnt - yes, she was but she refused hospital treatment because in her mind hospitals are where you go to die or be locked up.

I have a demonstrative self-appointed head of the family. He thinks he knows everything because he is a self made millionaire. I told him that if Mum got the diagnosis of dementia she would - like her friend - kill herself. He said 'Suicide is rubbish. Don't be stupid.' This is my Mum's brother who she brought up because their Mum was ill with I guess post natal depression.

He and his wife called at my Mum's telling her it was a routine cardiology appointment, getting Mum out of bed and rushing her. They took her to the hospital and Mum said 'This isn't the way to cardiology'. It was the Dementia Testing Clinic. 'No,' he said, 'we thought - as a family - you needed this'. Mum screamed the place down.

I was furious. Not with the test but with the lack of concern, love, bottle, call it whatever you will to not sit down with Mum beforehand. NICE regulations recommend pre-treatment counselling.

Mum stayed in bed, scared that people were going to take her away and locked her up. I came over as she had burnt herself but it wasn't infected. Infection would be the killer. I got the doctor out and applied the prescription lotion every day and kept the rest of the family out of my Mum's sight.

Sorry for the soap opera but it's not a wind up. Dementia is not a wind up and neither is me caring for my Mum.

I appreciate I should have called the bank but just as likely - as they knew of my mental health and had worked with Rethink on my behalf only a year before - that they could have emailed me or called my Rethink advocate. Their complaint was 'they didn't have a phone number. Rethink's and their and my email. I proved it to them with a copy email where they had sent before 'We are trying to contact you'.

I asked the forum because I thought someone might have similar experience. Not to generate hate mail or waste anyone's time. I am sorry.

Markas

PS: If you have never cared for a person with dementia, do not think you have even a minute to yourself. The DWP did an immediate assessment as soon as I got here and gave Mum the top level of assistance. Dementia care is tough and I do not want anyone de-valuing the millions of family who are doing it silently and not without damage to themselves.

Again, forget it. I'm not here for the haters. I asked advice and that was it.

IAmWales

The DWP would inform you of the amount they were paying to your lender. They wouldn't ask if they needed any more money, in fact the rate of payment has dropped over the period in question.

Have you declared to the DWP that you no longer have the property?

touch1337

Stop wasting time with Santander and get youself a new driving license or passport then claim your money. If you think there's a chance that your old documents have been sold then it could be possible (however unlikely) that someone could use those documents to claim the money that you are owed.

Markas

I only knew myself that it wasn't my property last week. The DWP were quite aware I was caring for Mum. Against all expectations and reports, the investigating officer was incredibly nice. She too had an ageing parent with dementia. She was the one - contrary to the BBC News report this morning who told me to claim this and this and this as Mum had dementia - and that I did not have to pay council tax on my property. The only saving grace in regard to that place.

haras_nosirrah

how long ago was it repossessed? how did you find out?

diggingdude

18 months and you were never flicking through your emails and thought "maybe I should email the bank?"
The bank followed the correct procedures, anyone could have access to your email. Posting is an accepted practice and it's not their fault you you didn't inform them. They shouldn't deal with your advocate until you have confirmed you are still happy for them to represent you, and 18 months of no answer mail will have suggested to them that you had abandoned the property.
Focus on sorting your ID and getting your money. Good luck with it

Markas

I had a letter last week from Taylor Rose saying they were holding money for me. That was it. I wrote to Santander and got back the letter that said it had been repossessed, they acknowledged my anger/confusion, etc but everything had been sold by their agent Move With Us.

Speaking to Move With Us they said all they do is stack the goods to auction. They could no tell me the inventory or if my documents were among them.

Taylor Rose said I had to go back to Santander, Santander have not acknowledged further communications and have pointed to ringing their call centre.

Markas

As a final note for anyone in a similar position:

I have spoken to a solicitor specializing in this area. In her words 'Rethink is right to be furious and so are you. When a disaster happens, people are quick to point the finger at everyone else but the buck stops somewhere and it stops with Santander.'

As I understand, with that amount of ca[ital the goods should have been stored. Secondly, I have been advised to make a subject access request to Santander to get ALL the notes pertaining to the arrears, repossession and sale of belongings. I am, I am told, in the 'investigation stage'.

Rethink's continuing support is necessary should I go the compensation route.

Regarding my ID, I have been told to sign up for protective registration with CIFAS. Anyone applying for credit in my name, including me, would have to be authorized by me. I am told the cost is about £25 for two years but details are on their website.


I am sorry if anyone thought this was a waste of time; I am sorry if anyone thought this was trolling. It wasn't. It was a genuine attempt at reaching out. I have been devastated by this and have not known where to turn. I thought the forum might be able to offer advice/support but I did not want to raise the ire of the haters. Thank you all for taking the time to read my long, long problem and a bigger thank you to those who offered positive suggestions.

The above legal information was provided by both a credit consumer lawyer and a litigation expert. I hope it helps someone.