| How the system From The FSA May Help Those Considering Sell And Rent Back Deals |
| Written by Gregg Phillips |
| Friday, 27 November 2009 09:17 |
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There has been a huge deal of argument over companies presenting sell rent back deals to homeowners who are struggling with debts and mortgage repayments.
There has been a huge deal of argument over companies presenting sell rent back deals to homeowners who are struggling with debts and mortgage repayments. For those who have missed this, controversy cropped up when the Office of Fair Trading investigated sell and rent back companies and found that some companies were handing out what amounted to false promises on their advertisements. These advertisements came by way of TV, company websites and leaflets dropped through letterboxes. Homeowners were led to believe they could sell for cash and then stay on in the property for as long as they wanted by paying rent that was affordable. However, generally when selling this way there is no guarantee of being able to rent back over the long term. Following the investigation the Financial Services Authority will now regulate the sell and rent back sector to ensure that homeowners get a fairer deal. A typical sell and rent back deal would come with the company offering to pay between 80% and 90% of the true value of the property. However, it has been revealed that there are companies out there who offer just 60% of the value of the property. Any company who wishes to continue offering sell and rent back deals will now have to agree to regulation by the FSA. This means they will have to follow certain rules and will have to succumb to checks on funding and ownership. This should lead to homeowners considering selling this way to getting fairer and more transparent valuations on their homes. With more smaller firms and operations jumping onto the sell, rent back bandwagon during the recession, and targeting homeowners who have lost their jobs and who are faced with losing their homes, the regulations cannot come soon enough. One of the struggles with the minor companies buying homes and renting back is that they are short funding. They purchase properties and then do something as agents by selling on the property to landlords who procure to let. If the landlord thrashes about themselves to maintain meeting mortgage repayments, then of course those paying rent to stay in the home are again faced with expulsion. Reports of a huge increase in rent after a period of time has also come to light, which has left those with the promise of being able to stay in the property by paying "affordable" rent struggling to meet their rent and again falling behind and being evicted. Luckily, there are companies out there who do have the customers' top security at heart when they tender sell rent back deals. These companies do not deceive the homeowner and give all the information necessary for the homeowner to create the choice of whether to vend this way or not. In several cases, it is not the companies who are completely to blame, but homeowners who hurry into selling their home without reading the agreement over cautiously from back to front. If you are taking into consideration selling your home and renting back to shun repossession then guarantee you sell to a regulated company and study the agreement circumspectly. About the Author: There has been a great deal of controversy over companies offering sell and rent back deals to homeowners who are struggling with debts and mortgage repayments. |