IMI

Share experience regarding ownership of property and/or living in Portugal.
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kteee
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Post by kteee »

How well do you think they will cope with a huge influx of new business - last time I contacted them they were closed to new business!! :(
julia
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Post by julia »

:? don't say that!!! our mortgage application has just gone in to them, no mention has been made of any problem in our preliminary meetings, all has been very positive and encouraging. this buying abroad stuff is stressful enough as it is , what with all the tax changes and goal post moving, biffa and gambrinus are just about keeping me sane and ahead of our vendor :) julia
Guest

Post by Guest »

Abbey National are going through a bad patch. They are laying off staff in UK too and my friend who has been a Manager for them for many years has also had to reapply for her job - fortunately she wasnt made redundant but was transferred but even so as with all UK banks staff morale is low.

From my experience when I used to be with the Abbey National over 10 years ago they were incompetant and would never have anything to do with them again
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IMI

Post by Guest »

Hi Biffa,

On the 5th July you were hoping to post an update on all the info required to answer all the questions so far raised.
Is this update any closer? Many thanks for all the useful info given already.
kteee
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Post by kteee »

I've received a letter from Abbey National today stating that they will not accept any new mortgages as of 31/7/03 existing mortgages will not be affected.

This seems to be their only response to the situation, doesn't help existing customers much :x
Gazza

Post by Gazza »

Existing Abbey clients should have received a rather bland letter explaining their future plans for Portugal. It merely confirms their withdrawal from Portugal for new business, and promises valued clients continuing service on the existing facilities. It does not mention the fact that the jurisdictions they insisted their clients use are no longer viable, nor does it reference transfer into inviduals name.

What the letter does do by not specifically answering the obvious questions, is give their clients the opportunity to write into the MD who signed the letter and ask for answers , which will hopefully accelerate a clear, concise and definative policy statement on the key issues.
Graham
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Post by Graham »

Gazza - good to see that optimism is not yet dead!

I for one am so happy that the Abbey National Service will 'continue as normal' :(

Graham
biffa
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Totta

Post by biffa »

Totta did suspend lending for a few months to "rethink" their criteria.

They started again in March I think it was and have launched their new scheme. They are very interested in taking over existing mortgages.

Of course I can't vouch for how efficient they might be but it looks a good, in fact might be the only, option.
Offshore Owner

Post by Offshore Owner »

Has anyone heard anything further from the Abbey? :x
Guest

Post by Guest »

good article in this weeks resident re a chamber of commerce meeting
in almancil.

the clock is not running until the end of the year!!!!!!!
Guest

Post by Guest »

important article in this weeks resident....vital that action must be taken soon
Gambrinus
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Post by Gambrinus »

Whoa there! Hold the phone, guest.

Last night I heard another sad story of actionism based on fear of what could happen if action was not taken. After being told of some (unfounded) horror scenarios resulting from possible changes to taxation, etc., an elderly couple decided to buy the house out of the offshore company for fear, that the re-evaluation of the unit value for municipal tax and subsequent taxation could make them have to sell. Needless to say, that also put a serious dent in their retirement fund.

Besides the obvious advice that can be given to proceed with caution and evaluate every case individually and independently, it is also worth noting, that as a member of the european union, Portugal cannot simply take any steps deemed necessary to fill the empty state vaults. Fair and equal treatment is still an important criteria by which the EU will scrutinize the legal changes that are made.

At the end of the day, nothing is served as hot as it is cooked.
Guest

Post by Guest »

iam afraid that "euro laws" such as fair tax treatment dont apply here in planet algarve.

if they were fair why can no one now afford 4 wheel drive vehicles?
that maket was killed by taxation. reread all the advice in the resident these pages, those who think any they can sit it out will be like King Canute :cry:
Gambrinus
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Post by Gambrinus »

Don´t get me wrong, I don´t expect anybody to sit it out with their hands folded in their lap. The idea is to keep a close eye on your own situation and gather as much info as possible without getting hasty and making expensive mistakes.

As for the Jeeps: aside from the fact, that 4x4s have become a complete aberration of what they were originally intended for they also caused significantly more damage in accident situations due to their size, weight and robustness. Insurance companies had to take action, as this circumstance paired with the "King od the road" attitude many 4x4 drivers were living out on portuguese roads was costing them dearly.
Guest

Post by Guest »

Well done to the Portuguese then for ignoring some of the potty Euro laws. Maybe if the UK govt. stood up for its people more, then UK wouldnt be in the mess it is in now with the corrupt and criminals having their human rights protected.

4 x 4's seem to be bought by City/town people who never have any intention of going 'off road'! I used to have to take children to school etc. and an Estate car did the job and transported prams, high chairs etc. at the same time. I live amongst farmers now and they are not all driving these 4x4's so think it is a good idea especially as the facts have always been known that they are dangerous because of their size which the drivers seem oblivious to especially when driving. Is their some rule that they have to be driven at speed in built up areas especially supermarket carparks where young children might be??
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