KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

IN MORTGAGE ARREARS?

Question: We have not been able to manage our mortgage repayments and other loans for a long time. The bank keeps sending us legal-looking letters and at this stage we can’t bear to open them. Is there anyone who can help?

Answer: Yes, there is a new scheme of aid and advice for borrowers in home mortgage arrears. This scheme is part of Abhaile, the national Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service. It provides a range of services to help you to deal with your situation, including financial advice, legal advice and insolvency advice.

Panels of qualified and regulated professionals have been set up to provide services under the scheme. It is co-ordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Social Protection and is operated by the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) in conjunction with the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI), the Legal Aid Board and the Citizens Information Board.

You will qualify for advice and assistance under the scheme if:

You are insolvent - this means that you are unable to pay your debts in full as they fall due andYou are in mortgage arrears on your home andYou are at risk of losing your home (for example, if your mortgage lender has initiated repossession proceedings or indicated that they plan to do so; if they have said that they consider you to be non-cooperating; or if they have asked you to consider selling or surrendering your home) andThe costs of staying in your home are proportionate to your reasonable accommodation needs

To access the scheme, you can ring the MABS Helpline: 0761 07 2000 (9am - 8pm, Monday - Friday) or contact your local MABS office. Read more about the Scheme of Aid and Advice on Home Mortgage Arrears on justice.ie and on backontrack.ie.

Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.

Killarney - 0761 07 7820 Email: killarney@citinfo.ie; Tralee - 0761 07 7860, Email: tralee@ citinfo.ie; Caherciveen - 0761 07 7780, Email: caherciveen@citinfo.ie; Kenmare - 0761 07 7810, Email: kenmare@citinfo.ie; Killorglin 0761 07 7830 Email: killorglin@citinfo.ie; Listowel - 0761 07 7840, Email: .listowel@citinfo.ie Phone Centre No: 0761 07 4000