Can I Be Pursued In The UK?
If you own or haved owned a property in another country, you may have been told that walking away from the property would cause no harm. This makes it particularly surprising when you find yourself being pursued in your home country for a large sum of money.
Banks and lenders can, and will, pursue debts across borders and even across continents. Read on to find out more about your rights and what you can do to if you have received correspondence from a foreign lender.
One of the most believed myths surrounding property debt in foreign countries is that if there is an outstanding debt, it stays in that country. Unfortunately, for many, this is not the case. Due to various agreements and international bodies, debts can be chased across almost any border. The EU has facilitated several laws that make it easy to pursue debts across Europe. Ultimately, this means that you can be pursued in the UK.
Banks in Europe can be slow and inefficient; therefore, if you leave your foreign property, it may seem like you are debt-free. However, we see first-hand with our clients how years or even decades later, your liability can be pursued.
How can you be pursued in the UK?
There are several ways that these lenders can chase debts in the UK, some of the most common tactics include:
- Order Charging Land
- Writs
- Judgements
- Forced sale of properties
If you go to the top of this page, you can visit our section on each of these methods to read about them in further detail.
If the Bank successfully secures a judgement in the UK, they will appoint a UK-based solicitors firm. Alternatively, they may act themselves or employ a collection agency to work on their behalf. Whatever method is used, the risks are always the same. That is, your personal finances are at risk, and your home and other assets, such as your pension, can be seized.
These third parties can act in the UK to recover the money owed. Additionally, with added interest and fees, you can end up paying more than you expected.
Due to astronomical legal fees, your debt could have as much as 50% added to it. So, if your remaining mortgage is €100,000, you could be pursued for €150,000.
What Can You Do
The sooner you act, the better the outcome is always going to be. At EU Property Solutions, our aim is always to prevent any of the legal actions mentioned above and, most of all, protect you and the things that matter the most. What makes us different is our collaborative approach with legal experts in the UK and across Europe to achieve life-changing settlements for our clients.
If you can’t find what you are looking for or are worried about being pursued for a foreign debt in the UK, you can speak to us on 0330 124 1230 or email us at [email protected]
Does This Mean I Will Lose My Home?
This sort of action is the first step to recovering debt. Whilst repossession of your home and/or assets is potentially a part of this process, it is not a foregone conclusion. If you act quickly and get the right advice, you can avoid any further negative impact on you.
Should I Contact My Lender?
No. Letters and communications from lenders are always designed to scare you into paying. It may be tempting to contact the lender yourself to try and explain your situation. However, this could do more harm than good, depending on what you say.
Why Should I Trust EU Property Solutions?
For over a decade, we have been helping people in exactly the same situation you find yourself in. We understand that you have probably been lied to by the bank, developers, and estate agents. If our amazing results don’t say enough for themselves, check out some of our testimonials or call our office and speak to a member of the team. You can even chat with previous clients of ours over the phone!
Get in contact today
We are always happy to offer a free, confidential review of your situation.
This helps us understand exactly what you need and helps you understand your best options when it comes to tackling a foreign property issue.