Bank of Ireland increase differential on tracker rates

Bank of Ireland increase differential on tracker rates

10:32 AM, 28th February 2013, About 12 years ago 1862

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The story of the Bank of Ireland decision to increase to the differential (interest rate margin) on  tracker mortgages started on this forum when a professional landlord contacted Property118 within minutes of a letter from Bank of Ireland landing on his door mat. What ensued was outrage from landlords and affected residential mortgage borrowers. The story was quickly picked up by the National Media as it wasn’t just the 13,500 affected borrowers who were worried.

Will this set a precedent for other mortgage lenders to follow?

Property118 reacted by using funds donated to The GOOD Landlords Campaign to underwrite the cost of a barristers opinion on the legality of the Bank of Ireland’s actions. The remainder of this thread,one of the most read and most commented threads of all time on Property118, continues to tell the story as it unfolds.

If you want to skip the story and cut to the chase simply CLICK HERE

Of the 13,500 affected borrowers, 1,200 have had the decision reversed by Bank of Ireland. With additional support and pressure we believe all affected borrowers can and will see justice done.

___________________________________________

Lee, a professional Landlord asks, “help! I have just received a letter from the Bank of Ireland stating they want to increase the differential on my tracker rates.

I have 12 mortgages with the Bank of Ireland previously Bristol and West. I have been on a base rate tracker of 1.75% above base, but now Bank of Ireland are using some fine print claiming they have to recapitalise and saying the ‘new differential will be 4.49%.

How can I fight back?”

The original policy wording seems to be:

6 INTEREST

Charging interest at a tracker rate

(j) Unless we change the differential (if any) under condition 6 (n), we will not change the tracker rate unless the base rate changes.

(m) in condition 6 (n):
– a “positive differential” means a percentage which we add to the base rate to arrive at the tracker rate; and a “negative differential” means a percentage which we subtract from the base rate to arrive at the tracker rate.

(n) We may reduce a positive differential or increase a negative differential at our discretion by giving you not less than seven days written notice. This means that we can change the differential in a way that is favourable to you.

The above seems to indicate that they can reduce the rate in my favour, but not give them the right to increase it. Am I correct?


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GHH 64

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18:24 PM, 17th January 2014, About 11 years ago

A minor victory! Made a complaint to BOI about issues around unacceptable delay in release of deeds to my solicitor. After solicitor asked 3 times one evening I emailed Richie Boucher (Chief Exec - anyone want his email address?) solicitor got a phone call next morning about 11.00 promising that deeds would arrive next day -which they did.

Anyway BOI have upheld my complaint but blamed TLT for the problem. However their original letter to me advising me of this was not received so I followed up, second letter with copy responses was also not received. Only received a response today at the third attempt & again after copying Richie Boucher into an email!

Two letters from the bank to me both going astray a month or more apart - I don't think so. Any one else had the same problem with post?

I smell a complaints process which is in meltdown or worse
.
I am now going to submit a bill to the bank for my time, my solicitors time & additional interest on mortgage due to delay arising !

A minor victory as I say but its a start...

mrs sharp

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19:32 PM, 17th January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Peter Bishop" at "17/01/2014 - 16:39":

Bank of Ireland also targeted the tracker rate hike at a number of customers who hold only one single residential mortgage, so these employees' comments seem rather tongue-in-cheek, but an interesting comment from them all the same.

Fed Up Landlord

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19:47 PM, 17th January 2014, About 11 years ago

Landlords are easier to blame. We are the "petty bourgeoise" of the modern era, depriving the working classes of housing because of capitalist greed.

Or thats what Shelter and the left wing press want you to believe. But such thinking permeates through society to be used by individuals and organisations for their own ends. So BOI. They screwed up. Who are the easiest people to take money off who are disliked nearly as much as the banks? Thats right. Landlords.

Political rant and history lesson over.

Colin Childs

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19:55 PM, 17th January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "17/01/2014 - 19:47":

Sends conflicting messages. Record low interest rates and media coverage of hard up landlords. Better if the message were kept to the factual issue of that of a change in contractual terms and conditions. As that impacts a far wider audience.

Fed Up Landlord

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20:16 PM, 17th January 2014, About 11 years ago

In todays media facts and truth are the first casualties in the drive towards ratings and advertising. I am fully aware of the issues around the BOI rate hike and was commenting on the alleged remarks made by BOI employees and the social thread and myths that it begins to unravel. Of course landlords have enjoyed a sustained period of low interest rates and higher rents but the media and others on this forum fail to mention the capital losses incurred by many landlords since the credit crunch began. Yes its our fault we got into being landlords but do not expect us to take the blame for getting a bit of good luck interspersed with the bad. If being a landlord was that easy everybody would be doing it.

Colin Childs

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23:39 PM, 17th January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "17/01/2014 - 20:16":

What's special about Landlords? Letting property is a business. Same aims and goals. Rewards and risks. The world has always moved in cycles. Not in incremental upward steps.

Fed Up Landlord

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7:04 AM, 18th January 2014, About 11 years ago

At the risk of being drawn off topic: ( as this is a thread about BOI and not a general economic discussion on the merits or otherwise of property investment)

Landlords are not "special" and do not ask for preferential treatment. They just ask to be treated fairly. The increase in rates is unfair at a time when rates are not increasing;

Letting property is not classed ss a business like any other by HMRC. You cannot claim losses against personal income unlike a normal business. Risks and rewards should be seen from that perspective. Property cycles are longer term than general economic cycles and property investment is a long term plan over many years. Landlords should have no expectation that property prices will increase incrementally in tbe short and medium term but can reasonably expect it over the longer term due to historic data. Such a strategic prespective is not always required in other business models. In addition the social perception of landlords and their businesses is not the same as that for example a tradesman who has a business as a sole trader. He or she is trying to make a living and provide for their family. So is the landlord but they are seen as opportunists and capitalists by some sections of society and the media.

No. Property investment is not a business like any other both in its treatment by tbe tax authorities and its treatment by society and the popular media.

Colin Childs

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14:21 PM, 18th January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "18/01/2014 - 07:04":

I agree about going off topic. Has always been a primary concern of mine. As much media coverage (popular press) and personal observation is off piste. Much of it ill informed and far too often factually incorrect. With an over simplification of the real issues.

Tricia Collick

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14:22 PM, 22nd January 2014, About 11 years ago

Have donated my £50 and told my MP about David Morris MP.
Well done so far Mark, fingers crossed !

Lucy McKenna

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14:52 PM, 22nd January 2014, About 11 years ago

We have too Tricia. Hope all the BOI people will see this and contribute.

http://www.property118.com/tracker-rate-campaign-goes-to-parliament/62913/

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