Blemain SPO Court hearing to extend it - Now Eviction Notice - n244?

[michelle456]

Hi,

 

Please bear with me as this is my first post.

 

I took out a secured loan with Blemain Finance several years ago and have now received my third Default Notice in 3 years.

 

I should be able to pay the 2 months arrears within their deadline but I am worried that I may not make it. I am self employed and so money is irregular.

 

They are sending a letter nearly every day piling on the pressure, including one saying they are sending an agent to discuss how they can help me for a cost of £100 and they need to see all my financial records. I don't particularly want this and they say to avoid these charges to call them to discuss my account.

 

I always prefer to deal with these things in writing and am worried I would be forced into something.

 

I would be really appreciate any advice.

 

Many thanks,

 

 

Michelle

[citizenB]

You dont have to agree to an "agent visit". If they should send one, then simply dont let them in. It is your right to conduct your financial dealings in writing. Especially with a company such as Blemain.

 

So the previous Default Notices have also been remedied with in the 14 days, yes ?

 

It pretty much sounds to me as though they have embarked on a campaign of harrassment if they are sending letters every day. You might want to contact the OFT about that.

 

If you are wanting to reschedule payments in order to cope with the irregular income, then you will have to provide information to them.

 

Is there any Payment Protection Insurance on this loan? Being self employed, it would be of no value to you, so if there is, then you might want to consider reclaiming that.

 

I will also flag your thread for others on the site team, to see if they have any ideas.

[michelle456]

Many thanks for a fast response.

 

Previous defaults have been fully paid within the time limit.

 

They say they will charge £100 for putting a card through the door - can they do this?

 

I didn't take out payment protection, as you say I'm self employed.

[citizenB]

No.. !!

[dx100uk]

i'd SAR them too

 

they are renound for adding PENALTY charges.

 

dx

[citizenB]

Decline the agent visit and propose a payment arrangement on any arrears

 

 

Some advice for you.

[cheesed_off]

Hi

 

I agree, negotiating a payment arrangement will be a lot easier to manage. They normally notify of a visit if you do not speak to them for a period of time - have you spoken two them over the last two months?

 

That aside, two months in arrears is a very small amount and I see no reason why they would not set a payment plan with you.

 

If your worried about calling them, then I suggest you email their collections department with your payment offer and maybe attach a brief budget (minus creditor) information? They could ask for this, especially due to iregular income. Emailing also means you have a copy of your correspondence.

 

Their email is collections@blemaingroup.co.uk according to their website.

 

CO

[michelle456]

Thanks for the ideas and the email address. I will email them them and ask them to cancel any visits and I should to able to email a payment arrangement at the end of the week when I will know about the size of an incoming order, as this may allow me to clear the arrears in full.

 

Blemain issue a default notice when you fall two months into arrears and this has to be brought up to up to date within 21 days otherwise they will apply for a possession order. So if I am unable to clear these in full, I would still attend court if I am asked to, rather than rely on their promise to honour the arrangement.

[cheesed_off]

Hi

 

Glad to see that you might be able to clear the arrears. A default is normally issued at two months in arrears as this is the FSA's definition of it being formally in arrears.

 

I know some people on here have said Blemain can be difficult to deal with, but the problem seems to be if you resist making contact and leave it until there is a hearing date.

 

I will be very surprised if the issue court proceedings at two to three months in arrears. In your email to them, suggest that you are willing to come to an arrangement and will have more information in the coming weeks.

 

I would imagine they will ask you to complete a financial assessment and await the outcome of that. Providing you are able to make your ongoing instalments and even a small bit towards the arrears they should accept that. Lenders have to comply with something called pre-action protocol and demonstrate to a judge they have done all they can to help - otherwise it'll be thrown out of court. This is where no contact with them could make it easier for them to request a hearing date.

 

Looking at previous posts on here, if you make your email to the attention of the Customer Support manager you might get the outcome you are looking for.

 

Believe me - two months in arrears is nothing compared with some cases on here - and even then there are always options. I actually found the managers name on google at one point but I misplaced it.

 

Fingers crossed!

 

CO

 

Just found it - Steve Allott is the Customer Support Manager.

 

Let us know how you get on

 

CO

[michelle456]

Thanks, will do.

[michelle456]

I emailed Steve Allott and received a pleasant reply back explaining due to data protection he couldn't discuss things by email, but he has cancelled the agent's visit so at least we’re not adding to the costs.

 

He has asked me to give him a time he can call me in order to briefly to outline what he can do to assist me.

 

I would prefer to not to deal with this by telephone, and postpone any dealings until I get a confirmation on the amount of an order by this Friday/Monday.

 

What would be the best way to approach this?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cheesed_off]

This is good to hear. Judging by your email it sounds like he will walk you through the next steps.

 

I know some companies don't email due to security reasons however I would suggest you have the conversation with them and then request a letter from the company outlining whatever agreement they made.

 

Depending on what you put in the email, they might need to confirm who they are speaking to.

 

If they have cancelled the agents visit then I imagine the conversation to be positive?

 

CO

[renegadeimp]

Take the call, but make sure you record it in full. You do not have to tell them you are recording the call.

[Ell-enn]

Hi,

before you speak to him you might want to fill out the affixed budget sheet (it calculates automatically as you fill it in) - in case he asks for any income and expenditure details - you will then have the info to hand so you won't be put on the spot and give info that isn't exactly right.

 

I know some people will say you shouldn't give I & E details but it normally helps to get them to accept your offer of payment and shows you are willing to co-operate to remedy the situation.

[michelle456]

Thank you for your ideas, I just got back. I will ask him to hold on the call until Tuesday so I will know my short term position properly and have time to plan for the longer term.

 

Thanks for the budget calculator.

[cheesed_off]

Hi,

 

If you sent the email today, and he has said he can offer you assistance - I personally would recommend you speak to them before Tuesday, especially if they have cancelled the visit agent. Have you talked to them at all since going back into arrears?

 

If you are resistant to having the call until Tuesday because you do not know some information - then you can tell them this and state what you situation is now, and what you are waiting on. This might also help any account charges.

 

 

Thats my personal view as it looks like Blemain may be playing ball!

 

EDIT: Also ask for a copy of any charges levied to date!!

Edited March 13, 2013 by cheesed_off
No spaces added into the post

[michelle456]

Thanks Cheesed_off, I appreciate your point but I will know on Friday or Monday if I will be in position to clear the arrears and do not want to use a "life" unneccessarily. I have not spoken tp BF since the loan application and if I have to speak to them I need to know exactly how I stand financially.

[cheesed_off]

No problem just an idea. Keep us posted as to how you get on

[michelle456]

He was fine with Tuesday and seems a pleasant, helpful guy. His Customer Support team seem a very positive move for Blemain.

[cheesed_off]

Hi

 

Glad to see that they are working with you and agreed to wait until Tuesday until they speak to you!

 

Let's see what will happen then

[cheesed_off]

How did you get on today? Have they agreed to your proposals or are they still sending you letters?

 

CO

[michelle456]

Hi CO, we had to put the call off until today and they couldn't be more helpful and arranged realistic repayments. Couldn't believe this was BF.

 

Thank you for giving me Steve Allott's details - he really has turned things round.

[cheesed_off]

Hi

 

This is good to hear! What did he say to you then? Did you ask about your any charges that had been put on your account?

 

Have they agreed to hold action?

 

CO

[welshperson3]

Well this thread sounds to good to be true

If you really want to know what is going on then ask blemain for a statement of account. (you are in for a surprise)

I had a 10k loan with this lot, in the first 2 years they added over 4k in charges, loan agreement was for 5 years, it has finished now but they claim I still owe them 15k.

They may have changed how they speak to customers on the phone, but you really need to see how much this is costing you.

This agreement is not going to end when you thought it would.

This agreement is not going to cost you what you thought it would,

　

Get your statements find out were you stand, and then decide what your options are. You are swimming with the sharks, so you need to be very careful.

wp3

[michelle456]

They have stopped any charges since me writing to Steve Allott and I have already requested a full statement of account so that these can be tackled once the arrears are repaid. I've ready lots about BF, so I do realise this.