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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Darrell G

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12:22 PM, 13th May 2013, About 12 years ago

Watch out everyone, First increased payment gone out today.

Justin, would you advise me cancelling my DD & pay the original amount as this is in dispute? I have written to the BoI last week advising them, I do not authorised them to take the increased payments whilst the matter is still in dispute.

Are they in any breach now because of taking the payment or is the bank entitled to continue to 'Steam Roller' everyone?

Tricia Collick

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17:48 PM, 13th May 2013, About 12 years ago

My first increased payment went out on 1st May, they didn't hang about !!
They wrote and said they were still trying to trace the paperwork.
If they do it will say I should be on 1.75% above base for the term of the mortgage but as B&W changed the account no in 2004 I doubt they will be able to trace it.
The 8 weeks will be up next week.
I am using Justins sample letter if I have nothing by then, or a rejection of my complaint, then I will complete the FOS complaint forms they sent and attach the letter, copying it to property118.
I'll give then a few days as they seem to be dragging everything out to the last moment.

Justin Selig - solicitor

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17:52 PM, 13th May 2013, About 12 years ago

Just to clarify a point of confusion which may have been caused by those who have seen an article in the Mail on Sunday yesterday - the Financial Ombudsman Service has confirmed to me that they will look at complaints submitted to them by Buy to Let Landlords.

The rules as to who are covered by the FOS means that those who are defined as "consumers". A consumer is defined as : "any natural person acting for purposes outside his trade, business or profession". It will therefore not cover any company landlords, or anyone whose trade, business or profession is in investment property. However, for those who have one or two buy to let properties in their personal or joint names, and do something else for their living, should be covered.

Justin Selig - solicitor

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18:24 PM, 13th May 2013, About 12 years ago

In response to Darrell G's comment about cancelling a DD and replacing with a standing order/cheques - I cannot advise that anyone does this without being aware that this could affect their credit rating if the bank decides to put them into default. In some ways this will bring matters to a head quicker and we believe we have robust arguments in a number of circumstances to demonstrate that the bank should not have increased the rates, however you should be aware that this strategy is not without risks.

If anyone is proposing to do this, then I would be grateful if they would contact me to let me know this is the course of action they intend to take. We will help draft a letter for you to send to the bank to notify them of your actions.

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20:43 PM, 13th May 2013, About 12 years ago

I spoke to BOI three weeks ago about not paying the extra and was told I would then begin to accrue arrears. I sent my formal complaint 2 weeks ago and have received an acknowledgement with an invite to comment further.

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23:45 PM, 13th May 2013, About 12 years ago

I have been following this thread with great interest from near the beginning as I have 7 buy to lets mortgages between BOI and B&W and panicked when I first read the news about the increased rates imposed by BOI as all mine have reverted to bank base rate plus 1.75%. Fortunately later I found out mine were not affected, however I have fully supported the action by fellow borrowers and BTL investors and hope that there is a happy ending to this for them and that it can be legally wrong for banks to impose such terms that are not clear and fair and to stop other banks from doing similar. I have worked as an IFA and Financial advisor for 28 years and gave this up about 3 years ago to concentrate on my property investments. I also arranged Mortgages for people in the early 2000's.
The trouble is BTL are not regulated by the FSA or new arm the FCA. I dont think people with BTL will have much luck through them, but people power may have an effect, I think the legal route is the only option to get this dreadful decicion overturned. The FSA did not come into force I think till around October 2004 for Mortgages (Residential) however there was the Mortgage code prior to this which lenders had to comply with. I think this is where the legal team and the barrister will concentrate on some of the issues to build a case against BOI Section 5.1 for lenders states :- All written terms and conditions will be fair in
substance and will set out your rights and responsibilities
clearly and in plain language, with legal
and technical language used only where necessary.
It may be worth looking at the mortgage code which can be downloaded on line for peace of mind and hope!
Good luck to all and Power to the people! (As Citizen Smith used to say, for those of you old enough to remember!)

ian

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13:51 PM, 14th May 2013, About 12 years ago

Justin Selig
You have asked for the origonal documents from our solicitors, are you contacting them on our behalf, if so do you not therefore need us to autorise them to do so ?

Baggers

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15:45 PM, 17th May 2013, About 12 years ago

Justin

Can we have an update on what the next proposed course of action is and when you intend to progress it. Many thanks

Justin Selig - solicitor

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17:53 PM, 17th May 2013, About 12 years ago

LEGAL ACTION UPDATE:

We are finalising our submission to the Office of Fair Trading, which will go out early next week. The submission is also being sent to the Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service. It is very detailed (approximately 40 pages long plus exhibits) and contains the legal arguments we have identified to show that BOI is not entitled to impose the increases in the differential.

We believe we are putting forward a number of very strong arguments and we hope that one of these bodies agrees to take this forward. In the event that they do not, we still believe we have a strong case which we will pursue through the courts.

If anyone would like us to include them in our action, please contact me as soon as possible at justin@lawdepartment.co.uk

Simon Benstead

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15:11 PM, 18th May 2013, About 12 years ago

Hi,

i have 6 Bristol & West BTL mortgages all now on a 1.75% over base tracker.
None of my mortgages are affected as they were all taken out after 2004.
I do however follow your updates regarding the actions that you wish to take.
I feel very sorry for all those affected and wish to donate a one off payment of £250 towards the legal costs .
Would you please contact me by email with the details regarding how to make the payment .

Best wishes and regards

Simon Benstead

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