Halifax Mortgage - Late Payment

Luke_Bank

Long story short Halifax have whacked a late payment mark on my otherwise impeccable credit file . My score has dropped 110 overnight.

The payment was due 27th March - they say it wasn’t taken as I cancelled the Direct Debit
The property was sold and the mortgage therefore settled in full on 3rd April. Taking the bank holidays into account they had a full settlement just two working days later.

Now, it may well have been the case that I cancelled the DD as the property was supposed to have been sold on the 27th but it was delayed at short notice. However, Halifax haven’t actually lost out.

Do I have any grounds to appeal it, or is it cut and dry? I’ve just got a new mortgage and don’t expect to take credit out for a while but I’m really disappointed that it’s happened.

shortcrust

From what you've said the late payment marker is accurate so I can't see any grounds for an appeal. That they haven't lost out is irrelevant. Lenders don't report late payment as a sort of payback for their loses. They're obliged to accurately report how you've managed your account. However that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. People seem to get all sorts of factual stuff removed from their files. My advice would be to approach it in a contrite 'oh I'm so silly, I can't believe I did this!' manner. Remember you're trying to get them to remove the marker as a goodwill gesture, not because it's a mistake.

Out of interest, why did you cancel the DD before everything was settled?! I'll bet my hot chocolate the idea was to save a few quid before payday, thinking 'it's only a few days, what harm can it do?':)

Luke_Bank

shortcrust wrote: »

From what you've said the late payment marker is accurate so I can't see any grounds for an appeal. That they haven't lost out is irrelevant. Lenders don't report late payment as a sort of payback for their loses. They're obliged to accurately report how you've managed your account. However that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. People seem to get all sorts of factual stuff removed from their files. My advice would be to approach it in a contrite 'oh I'm so silly, I can't believe I did this!' manner. Remember you're trying to get them to remove the marker as a goodwill gesture, not because it's a mistake.

Out of interest, why did you cancel the DD before everything was settled?! I'll bet my hot chocolate the idea was to save a few quid before payday, thinking 'it's only a few days, what harm can it do?':)

That’s the approach I’ve tried but it hasn’t worked so far. As you said I am in the wrong and to them that’s that. Even though in the 5 years I had the mortgage I never missed a payment and I didn’t receive anything from them to tell me. As the mortgage was settled and dropped off of my online banking I presumed all was well.

Yes, you’re right, enjoy your hot chocolate. However, part of it was a genuine forgetfulness as the sale was supposed to complete on the 27th. Also though, my solicitor said it made no difference if I paid or not as they’d have to refund the 27th March payment as their redemption figure including that payment.

sourcrates

Who have you spoken to ?

Do not rely on the response of a call centre operator, put in a formal written complaint to the customer resolution team, you will have more luck.

If you dont, then escalate it to the FOS.

Pixie5740

Why would the OP escalate the matter to FOS when the OP did pay the mortgage late?

[Deleted User]

You cancelled the DD willingly and the payment was then late. Therefore it's an accurate representation of what happened.

Also ignore the drop in the score - it’s a meaningless number that means nothing

Luke_Bank

In that respect then, as the DD was cancelled by myself, do you expect the late payment my chances of obtaining credit in two years time? Otherwise flawless report.

It was an oversight by myself, the property was supposed to complete before the 27th and as such I cancelled the DD. I was in a head on collision with a drink driver the week before and in agony with a fractured sternum, which added to the stress of buying and selling, when the sale became delayed I forgot the DD was cancelled.

[Deleted User]

A two year old late payment will have minimal impact.

Luke_Bank

Deleted_User wrote: »

A two year old late payment will have minimal impact.

Perhaps I’ll learn from my mistake and move on. I’ll need to remortgage in 19 months or so, so I don’t want it to affect that.

[Deleted User]

The DD shouldn't have been cancelled.

If payment was still taken, then you should look to get refunded after

Luke_Bank

!!! wrote: »

The DD shouldn't have been cancelled.

If payment was still taken, then you should look to get refunded after

Noted. I was given bad advice on that case. Lesson learnt. I don’t suppose Halifax would be willing to do anything in this case then.