http://www.consumer-help.co.uk Free advice and latest news on all consumer matters in the UK Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:29:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en A Yorkshire MP has urged miners to move quickly to demand a refund from a Barnsley law firm found guilty of misconduct over compensation claims.The Wentworth MP is reminding former miners and their families that complaints must be lodged with Barnsley solicitors Raleys by the end of February. In November ... http://www.consumer-help.co.uk/miners-claims/miners-knee-and-osteoarthritis/miners-urged-to-claim-refund/ Buy-to-Let is no longer the hot industry it once was and many investors who bought such properties in recent years have struggled as the mortgage rates soared. However, existing Buy-to-Let investors should now be benefiting from lower rates, if they have fallen on to their lender's standard variable rate. However, new ... http://www.consumer-help.co.uk/mis-sold-mortgages/mis-sold-buy-to-let-mortgages/buy-to-let-top-ten-tips/ The FSA has fined a Derbyshire-based financial advice firm and its two partners a total of £49,000. The failings at Sett Valley Insurance Services were identified during an FSA visit focussing on the fair treatment of customers, as part of its assessment programme for small firms. The subsequent FSA investigation identified a ... http://www.consumer-help.co.uk/mis-sold-mortgages/firm-fined-for-not-complying-with-fsa-principles-and-rules/ Investigations carried out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as part of a crackdown on solicitors involved in mortgage fraud have totalled 106 in a short period of time. As a result of the audit 22 law firms have now been closed down, and a further 24 cases have been referred to the ... http://www.consumer-help.co.uk/mis-sold-mortgages/claims-against-brokers/mortgage-fraud-in-legal-firms/ Right to buy was introduced almost 30 years ago, hailed as a social revolution that would transform council estates. The reality shows a less rosier picture of fractured communities, exploitative landlordism and a severe lack of affordable housing.  Most of the housing exists as the remains of the “homes for ... http://www.consumer-help.co.uk/mis-sold-mortgages/mis-sold-buy-to-let-mortgages/the-darker-side-of-right-to-buy/ Mortgage mis-selling case could impact on repossession The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has found that a previous homeowner, whose property has been repossessed by their lender, was actually mis-sold their mortgage in the first place. The petitioner had already lost her home at the time of the FOS ruling but was awarded ... http://www.consumer-help.co.uk/mis-sold-mortgages/mis-sold-mortgages/ What is debt management? A debt management plan is a structured repayment plan set up by a designated third party, assisting a debtor with repayment of his or her debt. The aim of debt management is to help clear the debts at a reduced level over a fixed period of time ... http://www.consumer-help.co.uk/finance/debt-management-plans/what-is-debt-management/ Debt Management Schemes are designed to assist those who are in debt and are unable to meet their commitments. In these situations finances are assessed and a monthly repayment deal is negotiated with all their creditors which all sides agree to and the debtor is able to maintain. The consultation explores ... http://www.consumer-help.co.uk/finance/debt-management-plans/plans-to-help-people-solve-their-debt-problems-as-quickly-and-fairly-as-possible/ Advantages of debt management plans Allows you to bring income and expenditure back into line without taking on more borrowing; You can follow this option by yourself or with the help of a no fee charging debt advice agency. Disadvantages of debt management plans There is no guarantee that your creditors will accept the ... http://www.consumer-help.co.uk/finance/debt-management-plans/advantages-of-debt-management-plans/ Right-to-buy owners who have come into difficult financial diffculty are being tempted into “sale and rent back”. The scheme offers a way out for many homeowners who found themselves struggling to pay for a mortgage that should have neve been sold to them in the first place. A “sale and ... http://www.consumer-help.co.uk/mis-sold-mortgages/right-to-buy/sale-and-rent-back-to-right-to-buy-home-owners/