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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11:42 AM, 22nd September 2013, About 11 years ago

As we feared, the West Brom building Society are now following suit by increasing their base rate tracker margins by 2% as of December. This will affect around 6,000 BTL landlords - see >>> http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-2427933/JEFF-PRESTRIDGE-Landlords-taking-hit-help-savers.html

I suspect the West Brom are aware of the lethargy of the vast majority of BoI borrowers and are simply chancing their arm.

Which lenders will be next?

ian

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12:07 PM, 22nd September 2013, About 11 years ago

Might be a blessing in disguise the more affected the more we can join forces. Media attention will increase FOS will receive more complaints.

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16:34 PM, 22nd September 2013, About 11 years ago

Been thinking about this. If we go down the crowdfunding route to raise the Fighting Fund, there needs to be a compelling reason for someone to "invest" & not just sit back & wait to benefit from any court ruling should we win. In a 'normal' crowdfunding scenario, the return would of course be linked to repayments of a loan or dividends from shares, neither possible here. But crowdfunding first started with the promise of 'rewards' for those that participated. Which is what I think we need to do here.

So why don't we try & build a package of "rewards" to encourage landlords to participate in the fund at a min level (£50? £100?) & not just sit on the sidelines. I'll start by throwing into the pot 50% off any Rental Rating survey - a saving of £75-£125 per property. Is there anyone else that can offer anything?

Iain Rankin

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17:15 PM, 22nd September 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Kirsty McGregor" at "22/09/2013 - 16:34":

If it would make a difference, I could similarly offer a half price Self Assessment service to participating landlords (this would similarly involve a £75-125 saving for participators).

Billy 1973

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1:32 AM, 23rd September 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "21/09/2013 - 11:43":

I can believe why people have not put into this fund.

I registered interest in this when it first came out, I had a few concerns as to what were the potential pit falls being included.

I for one will not sign up to anything without knowing the full story.

Key things I anted to know was how much would the potential risk of this process be, if we lost what would mypotentail exposure be.

Given the 100k costs now being quoted, and the 100 people signed up, I guess they would be 10k.....Possibly more...

The sad thing is that I didn't even receive a reply. Frankly I someone can't sent a response, or even a FAQ sheet in response, then I'm sorry, but I have not got any faith in their abilities.....

So before you go slagging off those who have not put into this fund....perhaps visit the solicitors in box, as I feel that this is where your answers as Mayans more people have not participated may lie.

I do wish you good luck in the case, and hope that I am wrong about the solicitors. Abilities....

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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8:39 AM, 23rd September 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Billy 1973" at "23/09/2013 - 01:32":

Hi Billy

There is no record of you having asked this question before, I have checked your member profile, however, I think it may have been answered previously somewhere in this thread but I may be mistaken. Sorry but I don't have time right now to read all 800 comments to check.

Please check your maths, 100 people X £10,000 would be 1 million, NOT £100,000.

Nobody was asked to commit to an open ended amount of costs. Each person contributed £100 to get things going and that money was held in a client account which was billed for work undertaken. If the FCA were to have taken on this case this may well have been enough. However, that wasn't to be.

We now need either 100 people to contribute £1,000 or 1,000 people to contribute £100 to take the test case to trial.

It was my decision to invite Justin Selig to head the Class Action and I remain convinced that he is the right man for the job. We have come a very long way with just £10,000.

Justin Selig - solicitor

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10:26 AM, 23rd September 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "23/09/2013 - 08:39":

Dear Billy - thank you for your comments. I have checked my records and we don't appear to have ever been contacted by you. We do aim to contact everyone who expresses an interest in joining the action within 7 days of receipt of contact - however that is not always possible depending on the number of people joining up at any one time.

I would be grateful if you would email me your details, to justin@lawdepartment.co.uk

Many thanks

Justin

ian

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19:48 PM, 23rd September 2013, About 11 years ago

With crowd funding are you expecting unaffected people to help fund a court action ? If so why would anyone help those who don't help themselves there was only a 100 of us that paid in why the rest freeloaded. Instead of no win no fee. It should be no pay no win then I'm sure more would come forward, its making me reluctant to forward any more funds as things are why should I pay for freeloaders if they are that selfish then they deserve what they get.

Cheryl Larkin

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19:58 PM, 23rd September 2013, About 11 years ago

Hi - I was happy to join the fight and contributed to the fund however the amount of £100 keeps being quoted. I actually paid £150 plus VAT £180 in total. I did come late to the party Mid May 2013 but I am sure others paid this amount too.

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20:21 PM, 23rd September 2013, About 11 years ago

I think there are a few options being considered regarding how to raise this 'fighting fund', but irrespective of which mechanism is used, we shouldn't NEED those that aren't affected to contribute, as I understand there are tens of thousands that are affected. But yes I think you're right, there probably needs to be a direct/immediate reason for people to contribute/participate, over & above the general aim.

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