My house was repossessed recently and the debt was approx £65,000. We have been notified that the sale price achieved was £75,000. Am I entitled to the profit from the house or will the Woolwich keep it?

-- (tessajo@lineone.net), February 28, 2001

Answers

The simple answer is that any profit from the sale should go back to the Borrower as long as the lender know where they are. What you must rememeber is that on top of the outstanding debt the lender will deduct amounts for repairs that they carried out, the estate agent fees, the solicitors fees, insurance costs, maint that was carried out (cleaning and garden care etc). These things all add up, especially when the lender isn't spending its own money. I have heard of one experience where the property had sold for more than the amount outstanding and when the borrower asked where the profit was the lender informed them that there was a shortfall and the borrower actually owed the lender money. If you feel that you have money coming then go get it, it's yours by right not theirs! Just step carefully and try to find out what the final amounts were likely to be before doing it. ie you will know what repairs were necessary etc. How much should these have cost. Get some quotes for all aspects listed above charges that I have mentioned that the lender tacks on. Do some maths and see if you want to chase the lender. Good Luck!

Regards Tim

-- Tim Heath (tim_n_heath@hotmail.com), February 28, 2001.