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Helpful Advice

Some steps you should consider:

  • If you are struggling with your financial commitments, you should pay all your 'priority' bills first, such as your mortgage, utility bills (electricity, gas, water), insurances, tax, child support maintenance and housekeeping and essential goods or services (e.g. travel to work). You should ensure that you pay these essential bills before making any payments towards credit cards or loans.
  • Check whether you are eligible for any state benefits or tax credits which could help to increase your income. In particular, if you are unemployed or are working on reduced pay, you may be entitled to the Mortgage Interest Supplement. We also recommend that you investigate whether you can claim Mortgage Interest Relief on the tax that you pay. Please see the useful contacts section of this booklet which will help you find further information on these State Supports.
  • If you have an insurance policy, such as income protection insurance, check whether this could help with your payments.
  • Seek debt advice from an accredited debt advisor if you would like help with managing your finances.
  • Make sure you keep all joint mortgage holders, spouses/civil partners and anyone acting as a guarantor on the mortgage, up to date with what is happening.
  • Get back to us quickly if we try to contact you to discuss your mortgage.
  • Seek independent advice when completing your Standard Financial Statement and when considering any new repayment plan we may offer you.

Steps you should never take:

  • Ignoring missed repayments: As soon as you are aware that there is or may be a problem you should contact Certus in the Republic of Ireland on (01) 267 5803 immediately.
  • Ignoring correspondence or calls from Certus or Bank of Scotland plc: We want to support you in identifying options to help ease your financial situation. Ignoring communications from us could result in you becoming exempt from certain protections provided by the Code, such as the 12 month waiting period (moratorium) before we can bring legal action for repossession of your property which applies for borrowers who co-operate. For more details of these protections and how they can be lost, please see the Central Bank’s consumer guidance note "Mortgage Arrears - A Consumer Guide to Dealing with Your Lender" available at www.centralbank.ie.
  • Failing to provide financial information: It is important that we have an accurate, honest and full view of your financial situation in order to present the most appropriate options to ease your financial situation.
  • Handing back your keys: This will not absolve you from your mortgage obligations, please ensure to contact Certus and seek independent legal advice before taking such action. If the value of your home is less than you owe, you will still be liable for the shortfall including any accrued interest, charges and certain other costs.

IMPORTANT

Bank of Scotland plc mortgage customers in the Republic of Ireland who experience financial difficulty or are concerned about meeting your mortgage repayments should contact Certus in the Republic of Ireland immediately on (01) 267 5803.

Bank of Scotland plc. Registered in Scotland No. SC327000. Registered office: The Mound, Edinburgh EH 1YZ. Bank of Scotland plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. Bank of Scotland plc is entered in the FSA’s Register and its Register No is 169628.

Telephone calls may be recorded to confirm instructions given and for quality control and training purposes.
Bank of Scotland plc. Registered in Scotland No. SC327000. Registered Office: The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom. Bank of Scotland plc is entered in the FSA's Register and its Register No. is 169628.