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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15:05 PM, 25th April 2013, About 12 years ago

It will be for signed up members only

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15:15 PM, 25th April 2013, About 12 years ago

Mark - many thanks,I no you cant give out the opinion but are you able to confirm there is a case? and is it to late to join now?

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15:39 PM, 25th April 2013, About 12 years ago

HI Mark, when will the signed up members being notified of the current situation.

Regards

Colin

Justin Selig - solicitor

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16:15 PM, 25th April 2013, About 12 years ago

Dear All, the barrister's clerk has promised me that we will be receiving the opinion later on this afternoon. This is a couple of days later than promised, but unfortunately he was delayed due to matters beyond his control. I hope therefore to update everyone either later today or tomorrow morning.

Sorry for the delay and thank you for bearing with us.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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7:59 AM, 26th April 2013, About 12 years ago

Hello all

I heard from Justin late last night as he had just received the first draft of counsels opinion.

Drum roll .................

It is VERY positive and we have a number of options open to us.

We now need to recruit as many more affected borrowers as possible. It is NOT too late to join in the Class Action.

Justin will no doubt comment again later today but in the meantime I have now included the Class Action Expression of Interest Form in the article which resulted in this mammoth thread of comments. Hopefully more people will find it easily there 🙂

Now we need your help.

Please tell everybody you know.

Talk to landlord groups you belong to and ask them to communicate this to all of their members.

Share this page on social media and other forums.

Buy a megaphone and a sandwich board ................ OK that's maybe taking it a bit to far but you get the message 🙂

Terry Donohue

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8:09 AM, 26th April 2013, About 12 years ago

This needs press coverage

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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8:14 AM, 26th April 2013, About 12 years ago

@Terry Donohue - yes I agree this needs press coverage and I believe Justin has a plan for that. Not wishing to steal his thunder but I understand that he is considering a arranging a meeting of all affected borrowers who are signed up the the Class Action and that he will be inviting the press to that meeting. During this meeting he will share the barristers opinion and explain the various options open to us.

ian

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9:10 AM, 26th April 2013, About 12 years ago

Mark Alexander I will sign up later today as passport finally arrived. I would like to take his oppertunaty to thank you Justin & the team for all the hard work you,ve all put into this so far, without this wonderfull web site, I and im sure for many others we would of had no where to turn.

Regards

Ian.

Ever Hopeful Landlord

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11:14 AM, 26th April 2013, About 12 years ago

i can only agree with ian on this, there appears to be little appetite to help anywhere else,just hope it gathers pace now.is the positivity across both btl and residential. thanks

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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11:37 AM, 26th April 2013, About 12 years ago

@Paul Anderton - counsels opinion was instructed to advise on the position for both residential and BTL borrowers. I understand that it is equally positive for both, I haven't seen it myself yet though. However, I have had a long discussion with Justin this morning and he will be posting here later today.

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