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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Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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7:40 AM, 7th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Paul Brindley" at "07/02/2014 - 02:48":

Hi Paul

Have you considered a meeting with Nigel Farage? He seems to be very pro-landlord and also very approachable judging by the video interviews he's done with Vanessa from Property Tribes - e.g. >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNENwFCzeak&list=PLA01062C9EE8EC57B
.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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9:41 AM, 7th February 2014, About 11 years ago

We are looking for testers and feedback for version three of our landlords calculator. If you would like to help please see >>> http://www.property118.com/landlords-calculator-version-3-in-testing/63488/#comment-37060
.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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16:05 PM, 7th February 2014, About 11 years ago

SECURE FORUM

It's now live but as it's 4pm on a Friday I'm not going to share the registration link until we have done a bit more testing this weekend. This is because we will not be able to get any bugs fixed until our IT developer returns on Monday. We are nearly there I promise you and it looks and seems to work great. Thanks again for your forbearance.
.

Lucy McKenna

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19:49 PM, 8th February 2014, About 11 years ago

I think that most BOI people follow the WBBS forum, there is so much action there but just in case anyone missed this post left there I have copied it below. Really good news I think as do many others including Mark. Hopefully the parliament debate is getting closer. If anyone on this forum could possibly write to their MP that would be great. Just copy and paste the MP briefing notes and good luck.
Post reads:
"Just received this positive reply from Mark Durkan MP "

“Thank you for contacting me about the Tracker Rate Campaign and the issues highlighted in EDM 976.

I have just been appointed to the Public Bill Committee for the Consumer Rights Bill. This issue is likely to be prominent among the proposed amendments to that Bill. Indeed I see that the Bank of Ireland have issued a statement criticising a Select Committee’s endorsement of the idea that this might be the focus of a relevant amendment to the Bill.

I would of course be supportive of a debate courtesy of the Backbench Business Committee. However it would be even more pertinent if government backbenchers move fully behind a competent amendment to a current bill.”

Fed Up Landlord

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20:15 PM, 8th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Well they would be critical of something that stops them ripping the public off wouldn't they?

Lucy McKenna

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21:06 PM, 8th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "08/02/2014 - 20:15":

i agree.

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13:36 PM, 9th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Just received a reply from my MP Helen grant about the EDM 976.Pretty negative really saying that ministers don't sign EDMs as it would breach ministers code of collective responsibility,and that its down to the treasury.Also said Its a matter for the FCA to decide whether a mortgage has been mis-sold.but the courts can also decide the fairness of a contract term under unfair terms act 1999.
Her final paragraph states " The FCA has already acted where it can on this matter and is continuing to monitor the actions of mortgage lenders as the legal framework allows."

Fed Up Landlord

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14:57 PM, 9th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Bit of a cop out. My MP was slightly more helpful but not much. Went on about tbe FCA deciding it was lawful.....Looks like we are on our own unless the lethargic FOS wake up and make a decision in our favour.

Colin Childs

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15:47 PM, 9th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "09/02/2014 - 14:57":

If there was a clear cut answer then there would no need for a court case to determine the outcome. The matter is far more complex that it may appear to the casual observer. Any ruling will need to be considered with due regard to other existing pieces of legislation. Public opinion does not make the law.

Lucy McKenna

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15:52 PM, 9th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "09/02/2014 - 14:57":

Our MP signed for us and there are now 42 MP's that have signed the EDM, we are very far from being on our own. There's a good chance that we could get a 90 minute debate. Please look back through the posts on the WBBS forum, there have been meetings with MP's and there is much more to come on this front. The above post is just a good small part of it. I am optimistic and feel we need as many strings to our bow as we can get. If we personally do not have to go the court route so much the better . There are more than 13,000 people affected by the BOI rise and I think I am right in saying that we have an even better legal case than the WBBS, there are twice as many of us so we really need to be doing as much as the WBBS people, perhaps we are but more quietly, I wish I knew.

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