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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10:21 AM, 28th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi There
I am more than happy to pay £150 per mortgage to fight the BoI, please let me know how this amount needs to be paid.

Regards

Colin

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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10:31 AM, 28th May 2014, About 10 years ago

I cannot recommend anybody to pay anything until we have some more definitive numbers from Justin.

I suspect the Litigation Funder will need a minumum return and that will be entirely dependent upon the values of the loan book which overpayments in interest will be accruing against. On this basis it may be difficult for Justin to say we need X number of borrowers to sign up because their loan balances will be critical to the Litigation Funders decision to proceed. Timing is also a relevant factor of course because the "refund pot" grows on a daily basis.

Nevertheless, it must be possible to put a figure on the target refund pot and to provide regular updates to show progress based on the value of loans represented by the members who sign up.

I look forward to Justin's response to the question I raised immediately following the comment he posted here last week and also this statement.
.

Fed Up Landlord

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10:37 AM, 28th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Mark I assume that those of us who have contributed the original £150 and the additional £500 will not be called upon for more?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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10:42 AM, 28th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "28/05/2014 - 10:37":

I would hope so Gary and one does wonder how these founding members of the action will be compensated. It hardly seems fair that some have paid £650 and newcomers only have to pay £150 does it?
.

Fed Up Landlord

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11:07 AM, 28th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Not from where I am sitting Mark

Darrell G

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11:18 AM, 28th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Im in for my 3 properties. But as you say Mark, I would like the total numbers committed confirmed first.

Justin Selig - solicitor

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11:48 AM, 28th May 2014, About 10 years ago

To respond to a few questions posed since my posting on Friday:-

Firstly, those who have recently contributed £500 will receive a refund of £320, so that their contribution to this stage of the action will be the same as everyone else's - £150+VAT (£180).

Secondly, in terms of numbers, as Mark has stated - it is difficult to be exact, but I have put the target down as 400 mortgages. This is based on the following assumptions:-

Average size of mortgage: £50,000
Amount extra paid for each mortgage: £2,000 for a year
Total fund (based on one complete year of overpayments and a complete win on all elements of the claim): 400 x £2,000 = £800,000.

Based on our estimates of the costs of both sides, this should be sufficient.

ian

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12:02 PM, 28th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi Justin
Is there a cap on the funding as on your average the pot will increase £66k a month, it would be in there interest to take a long time?

Justin Selig - solicitor

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12:23 PM, 28th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Ian

Yes, the intention is to cap it once we have a firmer view on the actual figures.

Ever Hopeful Landlord

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12:35 PM, 28th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Justin Selig" at "28/05/2014 - 12:23":

i have three that now cost me an extra 5k per year ,have you any idea how close to the 400 we are or is it better to use the secure site.

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