Mortgage Arrears Resources

The_Morrigan

Folks, this issue is getting more and more common these days so I'd like to compile a list of resources that could be of help to people if they do find themselves in difficulty with regards to their mortgage.


The general advice is to talk to your bank before you get into arrears to see if you can re-organise your mortgage repayments, apply for a moratorium or interest only payments. Sometimes this proactive stance can give you a mental breather to get the rest of your ducks in a row.

Contact Details for some of the Banks mortgage arrears units can be found in the links below:

AIB - http://personal.aib.ie/our-products/loans/managing-your-borrowings
BOI - https://personalbanking.bankofireland.com/borrow/mortgages/articles/arrears-assistance/
PTSB - https://www.permanenttsb.ie/about-us/need-help/productsupport/repayment-difficulties/home-loan-mortgages/
Ulster Bank - http://www.ulsterbank.ie/roi/personal/borrowing/managing-debt.ashx
EBS - http://www.ebs.ie/mortgages/asu.html

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General Information about Mortgage Arrears

• Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears - Scroll down the page to Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears https://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-codes-regulations
• Citizens Advice – House Repossessions; http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/losing_your_home/home_repossession.html
• Keeping your Home - http://www.keepingyourhome.ie/
• Mortgage Arrears Information & Advice Service: Panel Accountants - http://www.keepingyourhome.ie/mortgage_arrears_information_and_advice_service/index.html#sec1
• Register of Debt Management Firms http://registers.centralbank.ie/DownloadsPage.aspx

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Budgeting Advice & Tools

Money Advice and Budgeting Service
MABS is a national, free, confidential and independent service for people in debt or in danger of getting into debt.
www.mabs.ie

bonkers.ie
bonkers.ie bonkers.ie is a free, impartial and independent online comparison and switching service which helps you to compare gas & electricity prices, digital tv, broadband & home phone, credit cards, prepaid money cards, personal loans, savings accounts, current accounts and mortgages.

www.bonkers.ie

MISc - Minimum Income Standard Calculator
The Minimum Income Standard shows the income people need in order to afford the goods and services that members of the public have agreed are a minimum essential for everyone in Ireland to have. This is a minimum standard that people agree no one should live below.This calculator allows you to see the minimum for your household type. By answering a few simple questions the minimum income standard for your household will be calculated. You can then make certain adjustments for your situation.

www.misc.ie

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Advice & Assistance Groups

Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation
The Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation is a not for profit organisation which aims to facilitate independent mortgage/debt resolution between lenders/creditors and mortgage holders.
Our aim is to help you deal with indebtedness and allow you to move forward.

https://www.mortgageholders.ie/

Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the largest, voluntary, charitable organisation in Ireland. Its membership of 10,500 volunteers throughout the country are supported by professional staff, working for social justice and the creation of a more just, caring nation. This unique network of social concern also gives practical support to those experiencing poverty and social exclusion, by providing a wide range of services to people in need.
www.svp.ie

New Beginnings
New Beginnings believe that Ireland will recover when people are freed from unmanageable debt.
They lobby the Government, advocate in the Courts, provide personal insolvency and bankruptcy services, and negotiate with banks and creditors to implement the solutions that we know are there.
http://www.newbeginning.ie/

FLAC - Free Legal Advice Centres
FLAC is an independent human rights organisation dedicated to the realisation of equal access to justice for all. To this end it campaigns on a range of legal issues but also offers some basic, free legal services to the public. FLAC currently concentrates its work on four main areas: Legal Aid, Social Welfare, Credit & Debt and Public Interest Law.

www.flac.ie

Legal Aid Board
The Legal Aid Board is an independent, publicly funded organisation. It has been in existence since 1979 and was set up as a statutory body on foot of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995.

www.legalaidboard.ie


Mercy Law Resource Centre

Mercy Law provides free legal advice and representation, in an accessible way, to people who are at risk of homelessness in the areas of Social Housing and Social Welfare Law.

http://www.mercylaw.ie

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Mental Health

Keeping your head in good health is also important, people can get very stressed out & often do not feel that they can talk to friends or family, choosing to carry the strain of the financial hardship themselves. The following links are some of the organisations that are around to help in that regard & I would urge any person facing the stress of mortgage arrears to give these guys a call. They are there to help with the stuff the accountants and lawyers can’t undertake. There is also the option of talking to your GP who would have ample resources to hand.

Information for Distressed Posters
Below is a link to a post from Mike_ie with Information for Distressed Posters which has the contact details for various organisations.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057178293

OldGoat & other members of the Oulwans 'n' Oulfellas forum have compiled a list of helpful sites for those more mature boardsies, these cover a wide range of genres and subject matters.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056375062


Dublin County Stress Clinic
Stress and anxiety is now part and parcel of modern day. Stress can be positive and work to our advantage but when severe and ongoing it can have a profoundly disabling effect on many aspects of people's lives. Saint John of God Hospital, conscious of this need, opened the Dublin County Stress Clinic for the purpose of providing quality treatment programmes to help people manage pressure and to prevent detrimental effects. The Clinic is located at our hospital in Stillorgan.

www.stjohnofgodhospital.ie

Samaritans
Samaritans Ireland provides 24-hour emotional support to anyone experiencing distress, despair or suicidal thought. Established in Ireland in 1962, there are now twenty Samaritans branches across the island of Ireland with 2,188 active volunteers.

www.samaritans.org


Pieta House
Pieta House, the centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide, opened its doors in Lucan in January 2006. Since then, six centres of excellence have followed suit in Ballyfermot, Mungret, Roscrea, Tuam, Bishopstown and most recently Castleisland while we also have an outreach centre in Finglas
http://www.pieta.ie/

Aware
Aware undertakes to create a society where people affected by stress, depression and mood disorders are understood, supported, free from stigma, and are encouraged to access appropriate therapies. The three pillars of Aware’s work are information, education and support. Information on Aware’s services and different aspects of depression (including depression in young people and supporting a loved one) is offered through the website and by post.
http://www.aware.ie/


Another outlet for stress relief is exercise, so taking up a sport or joining a fitness class may help your body and mind deal with any stress brought on by worry about arrears.