Beneficial Interest......so confused!

Options
Hi all,

Thanks is advance for your answers.

I am so confused, my partner has no choice but to go bankrupt. We have been paying into an IVA but due to loss of work he has made the gut twisting decision to go bankrupt. He is now officially bankrupt as a of a few days ago.

We jointly own a property, the mortgage is £158,500 and the property value is £160,000 we have recent valuations. The house prices just seem to keep going down and down on our road. He has had the interview with the OR and she wasn’t very clear on what happens to the property, but she did say she had no interest in the property, she said we would receive information in the post and we are still panicking that we are going to lose the house and we have 3 kids.

I have been searching the internet and getting more and more stressed. It says I can buy the benifical interest in the property.
How would I do this?
Would I need to remortgage?
Can I keep the mortgage I have and remove my partners name?
Do I just buy his share of the £1500 equity and pay it to the OR?

I wouldn’t get a mortgage as my wage won’t allow it. I can afford the mortgage but wouldn’t be able to get accepted for one on my own.
I really don’t get it at all and can’t wait for the letter to come through.

Just want to say as well, I am not asking these questions behind my partners back. We just don’t want to lose the house and don’t know where we stand.

Thanks so much.

Comments

  • debt_doctor
    debt_doctor Posts: 4,595 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Options
    Hi,
    As you are joint owners then half the equity is yours, so the bankrupts equity is £750. Considering sale costs of say £3k then there is no equity.

    Are you still in an IVA?

    The OR has up to 3 years to deal with the property before the interest automatically reverts back to the bankrupt at no cost.

    In any event the house cannot be sold for the first year due to 'home rights'.

    It is indeed possible for you to buy the bankrupts equity share - a figure of £1k plus costs (say £300) is often used - but your OR / Examiner said they have no interest in the property.
    If this is the case then dont make an offer at all, just wait for the letter and then ask them to 'disclaim' the property as soon as they can.

    A general rule (currently) is that if the bankrupts share of equity is less than £10k, then a charge would be placed on the property rather than a property sale.

    DD
    Debt Doctor, Debt caseworker, Citizens' Advice Bureau .
    Impartial debt advice services: Citizens Advice Bureau Find your local CAB *** National Debtline - Tel: 0808 808 4000*** BSC No. 100 ***
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 608K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173.1K Life & Family
  • 247.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards