Owning your own home

I have a minor issue with Ovo as well. I supplied actual meter readings, they didn't agree with these so based charges on estimated readings. I supplied more readings, and photos of the meter, and explained that their estimates were way off because

1. The house was unoccupied for several months;
   
2. The heating is oil fired so electricity use is trivial.
   
   

They now say they need to settle a dispute with the previous supplier and are keeping my DD at the same rate until this is resolved.

I'm assuming that it will all get sorted out eventually but not great customer service.

Received a letter to say that the Westminster TMO is getting dragged back in-house

Did a thorough inspection of new house today with a surveyor guy (if that's the correct term, a feller in overalls who points at electrical fittings, roof etc and says what's ok and not) and no nasty surprises. Basically said the house is solid and all the stuff we'd figured would need fixing does indeed need fixing. Still feeling total disbelief at the prospect of having a basement larger than our entire current house. Also picked a guy to sell said current house for us. Going to be passing significantly less solid turds until that bit is done.

Remortgage fees.
How much do you generally pay??

Ombudsman for this kind of bullshit, no?

I'm waiting to see what happens at the end of the 12 week period which they say is max required [for them] to resolve this.

Not long to go now!

Do they still do this? Do they have any availability around Xmas new year? Asking as we have the in-laws arriving.....

fucked if i know m9 - i'd ask but they're never there! let me ask 'er indoors, she speak to them more than i do.

Lovely. Alternatively. Do you want my in-laws for a couple of days?

We’ve just remortgaged with HSBC via London & Country (reviews of them have been mixed on here but I’ve never had a problem with them) for nowt. Interest rate is 0.1% higher than we could have got with another provider but work out cheaper over 5 years once the lack of an arrangement fee or legal fee are taken in to account. Otherwise I think arrangement fees can vary from £500-£1000 on the products I’ve seen, not sure what legal fees might add to that.

😂

not unless they fancy bunking up with my folks. could be awkward.... or super sexy!

Hmmm.
Ours is with same company, 5 year fixed, and we're being charged £1400.
DO I SAY "WOAH THERE NELLY"?

It'll be like the dark room at Berghain.

£999 for the last couple of remortgages sticking with Santander. I've always added it to the mortgage (rather than pay it there and then) so you don't get lumped with a big bill.

As I tend to remortgage every 5 years it's not adding a huge amount to it. I'd look a lot more carefully at the numbers if it was £999 every 2 years but both times I've done this the interest part of the mortgage has come down over £200/month so the new deal pays for itself after 5 months.

Sparks are a bunch of crooks, and from what I gather they are only used as an energy provider when a new rental tenant doesn't read the small print of their tenancy agreement.

Letting agencies set up deals with Sparks to tie them into new tenancy contracts as being the default energy provider unless stated otherwise within 6 weeks of move in date. The agency gets a kick back referral fee from from Sparks, and the new tenant gets very unfavourable rates.

Any recommendations for conveyancing? Selling a flat in SE.

Also what’s the sort of money I should be paying out?

Had a little rigmarole setting up but done now, so we each get £100 credit.

Thanks!

What a racket

Interesting!

I wrote a huge complaint and got the charges wiped. Yay me. Certainly won't be using them again.

They sent me fictitious bills too. I dread to think how many customers pay them blindly without challenging

That does sound a bit steep but I guess it depends how the rate compares to other companies. Feels a bit cheeky given it must be less work on their part than for a new client! Like Greenbank I have been with Santander until now with a £999 arrangement fee added to the mortgage.

Should also say that I got to move to the new rate 3 months early (i.e. 3 months before my fixed deal and associated ERCs was due to end) each time by staying with Santander, so those 3 months saved me £600 in interest payments alone, so the £999 fee actually pays for itself after just 2 months.

tl;dr I'd expect something extra (cheaper rate, early switch, etc) to justify £1400 of fees.

Flat on the market for 10 days or so and still no floor plans up, poor description etc.

I remember why I dislike dealing with estate agents.

Have you signed terms with them? If not would suggest switching.