Camau cyfreithiol

Home repossession: what reasonable adjustments should mortgage providers make?

Wedi ei gyhoeddi: 6 Mawrth 2018

Diweddarwyd diwethaf: 20 Ebrill 2018

I ba wledydd mae hyn yn berthnasol?

Manylion yr achos

Nodwedd warchodedig Anabledd
Mathau o hawliadau cydraddoldeb Gwahaniaethu yn deillio o anabledd
Llys neu dribiwnlys Llys Apêl (Sifil)
Rhaid dilyn y penderfyniad i mewn Lloegr
Mae'r gyfraith yn berthnasol i Lloegr, Alban, Cymru
Cyflwr yr achos Wedi gorffen
Ein cyfranogiad Ymyrraeth (adran 30 o Ddeddf Cydraddoldeb 2006)
Canlyniad Barn

Enw achos: Green v Southern Pacific Mortgage Ltd

A woman who became unable to work because she was depressed asked her mortgage provider to transfer her from a repayment mortgage to an interest-only plan. This would have reduced her monthly payments sufficiently that her housing benefit would cover it. The mortgage company refused. She challenged their decision, arguing that they had discriminated against her by refusing to make reasonable adjustments on the grounds of her depression.

Mater cyfreithiol

What (if anything) must a mortgage provider do to comply with the duty to make reasonable adjustments in the context of possession proceedings?

Cefndir

After losing her job, a woman claimed on an insurance policy to cover her mortgage repayments. Her claim was initially on the basis that she was unemployed and later that she was depressed and could not work.

When her insurance cover ran out, she was unable to meet the monthly repayments. Some months later the mortgage company began proceedings to repossess her home.

The woman applied to the mortgage company to transfer her repayment mortgage to one which was interest-only. This would have reduced her monthly payment sufficiently for her housing benefit to cover it.

Her request was refused. She brought a claim under the Equality Act, arguing that the mortgage company had failed to make reasonable adjustments on the grounds of her depression.

Pam roedden ni'n cymryd rhan

Those with disabilities or long-term medical conditions face a range of additional challenges in everyday life. With thousands of homes repossessed each year, we wanted to clarify what reasonable adjustments a mortgage provider should make during possession proceedings.

Our goal is to ensure people’s life chances aren’t held back by the challenges in their way and we wanted to make sure that disabled people aren’t discriminated against by mortgage providers if they experience financial difficulties.

Beth wnaethom ni

We used our powers to intervene in the case, which allows us to provide the court with expert advice or evidence. We advised the court on the approach it should take to the duty to make reasonable adjustments.

Beth ddigwyddodd

The case was unsuccessful. The judge found that the woman had not been put at substantial disadvantage on the grounds of her medical condition. The mortgage company’s refusal to transfer her to an interest-only mortgage was not discriminatory.

Pwy fydd yn elwa

Although this case was unsuccessful, it does helpfully clarify what the law expects of mortgage providers in making reasonable adjustments for disabled people who cannot keep up with their repayments. We will continue to fight to ensure the lives of disabled people are not held back and to support those who may have experienced discrimination.

Dyddiad y gwrandawiad

6 Mawrth 2018

Dyddiad dod i ben

20 Ebrill 2019

Diweddariadau tudalennau

Advice and support

If you think you might have been treated unfairly and want further advice, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

The EASS is an independent advice service, not operated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Phone: 0808 800 0082
 

Or email using the contact form on the EASS website.
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Call the EASS on:

0808 800 0082