COVID-19: Update from Start Mortgages DAC - September 2020
Start has a dedicated internal COVID-19 working group in place to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 situation and to ensure continued service for our customers and to protect our employees. Start are adhering to advice from the HSE and relevant Government Departments. Start is also working with our industry representative body known as the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) who are engaging with industry stakeholders, the HSE and Government on a co-ordinated plan to respond to the risks related to COVID-19 in Ireland.
Start has provided assistance to customers through the provision of mortgage Payment Breaks which were available up to 30th September 2020. Customers who availed of an initial 3 month Payment Break may also be eligible to extend it for a further consecutive period of 3 months, allowing a break of up to six months in total where required. For more information on payment breaks, please read the BPFI's document A Guide to the COVID-19 Payment Break or download our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document
Customers Exiting Initial 3 Month Payment Breaks
If you are availing of a Payment Break you may be eligible to extend it for a period of 3 months. Start will contact you before the end of your existing Payment Break to advise you of your options. There is no need to reapply.
Customers Exiting Extended Payment Breaks
If you have availed of an extended Payment Break (a total Payment Break of 6 months) and are due to return to repaying your mortgage, you can refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document or to the BPFI’s paymentbreak.ie website for more information. We will also communicate the next steps to you directly, in advance of the Payment Break ending.
If you believe that you may not be in a position to return to your pre-COVID repayment terms, we encourage you to visit the Arrears Help section of our website and our COVID FAQ document where you will find more information.
Customers Experiencing Financial Difficulties
If you have never availed of a COVID payment break with Start and are now experiencing difficulties meeting your repayment as a result of COVID or for any other reason, Start has supports available to assist you under the applicable regulatory codes. We encourage you to visit the Arrears Help section of our website and our COVID FAQ document where you will find more information.
Important Information
Protecting your account: Please be alert to any suspicious phone calls, text messages or emails from anyone with a message about COVID-19. Start will always ask security questions with you before discussing any details of your mortgage account with you and will never ask you for your bank PIN number or personal password.