Gransnet forums

Legal, pensions and money

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise

Halifax Building society

(6 Posts)
Add comment | Report
gillybob Thu 12-Jul-18 12:07:54

Without going into the full details yet again, my DD and her partner have been treat appallingly by the Halifax. Their latest gem, is to slap them with an astronomical charge for a valuation survey carried out by their chosen surveyors with no knowledge of the area. When we pressed for proof of attendance it turns out that these surveyors did not attend the property at all but looked on the internet to compare prices in the area.

We have contacted the surveyors who refuse to give a copy of the survey as they say their client is the Halifax. We have contacted Halifax who have also refused a copy (even though my DD's partner has to pay for it) as they say "its not what we do".

How can they get away with this? if you pay £100's for something surely you have a right to view it?

Back in March we informed the Halifax that they would be unable to make the mortgage payment in July (they did finally manage with help) but we had a good offer on the property and assumed all would be done and dusted by then. Now because the Halifax has refused a negative equity sale (with a loan) the August payment will definitely not be made in full which will put the account in arrears through no bodies fault but the damned HALIFAX !

They have still not responded to official complaints either.

I feel like I want to punch a wall I am so upset and frustrated by all this.

Add comment | Report
janemar Thu 12-Jul-18 12:19:22

Have you contacted the financial ombudsman? I have had dealings with them and found them to be very helpful and quick to respond. You can start with an informal chat or email to see if you have a case.

Add comment | Report
gillybob Thu 12-Jul-18 12:26:18

Thank you for your response janemar I haven't contacted the financial ombudsman yet as I believe you have to allow 8 weeks for a full response to an official complaint (very happy to learn otherwise though) . I am however preparing a case ready to do so. Just flicking through various websites it seems that the Halifax has an appalling customer service record.

Add comment | Report
MiniMoon Thu 12-Jul-18 16:01:24

I'm sorry to hear about your DD's trouble with the Halifax, but I'm not surprised. We were with them when we had our first house. The service (or not) that they provided then was appalling. I'm very disappointed to hear that they haven't improved.
Just sympathising really, I can't offer any help.

Add comment | Report
PernillaVanilla Tue 17-Jul-18 15:30:19

This practice is universal. If you take out a mortgage the building society or bank will arrange their own survey which you pay for. They will not usually share it with you. Sometimes you can use the same surveyor to do your survey, which will then be cheaper because there is less work involved.
It seems a unfair to refuse a negative equity sale if the balance of the loan was being paid off, probably work an ombudsman application. Can they carry on paying the interest on the loan? A bank or Building Society will generally accept interest only until a sale goes through.

Add comment | Report
gillybob Tue 17-Jul-18 19:05:48

I appreciate a survey when you buy a home with a mortgage but the Halifax insisted on a survey to value the house after it had been on the market for 18 months “to prove it was worth more than the £55k offer on the table” which it isn’t . Personally I think the £55k is quite generous considering, but the Halifax surveyor insisted it was worth more without even seeing it . They are struggling to pay a token amount slightly less than interest only but this could have been solved months ago . The Halifax are yet to respond to my official complaint and I hate what they are doing to a young family making their lives a misery .

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise