Someone else managing my mortgage
There may be times when you want or need someone else to help manage your mortgage. This could be for a short time, such as while you’re unwell, dealing with a difficult life event or abroad, or long term if you’re no longer able to manage your mortgage yourself.
There are several options available. It depends on whether you still have mental capacity, or if you lose it – for example, when a court appoints someone to make decisions on your behalf.
Understanding the differences
| Third Party Mandate | Power of Attorney (POA) | Court-managed (Deputyship / Orders) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Share information | Make decisions on someone’s behalf | Court appoints a deputy to make decisions on someone’s behalf |
| Type of access | Information only | Financial and/or welfare decisions | Financial and/or welfare, decided by the court |
| Duration | Short-term | Short-term or ongoing | Ongoing |
| Who sets it up | Account holder | Individual while they have mental capacity | Third party applies to the court when mental capacity is lost |
| Is mental capacity needed to set up? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Is mental capacity needed while the authority is registered or in place? | Yes | Depends on type of POA | No |
You can always update the type of authority if your needs change.
You may want someone you trust to talk to us about your mortgage. This could be a family member, friend, charity or a professional person. You’ll need to give us permission to speak to them, which is known as granting a third party mandate.
The person you choose can only get information about your account to help you manage your mortgage. They can’t make changes to your account.
If the third party is a professional, such as a solicitor or financial adviser, it’s worth checking they’re registered with the relevant regulator, like the FCA or SRA. There may be limits on the advice they can give you when they’re not registered.
You’ll need a power of attorney if you want someone to make changes to your mortgage.
How do I set up a third party mandate?
Once you’ve decided who you want to help you manage your mortgage, you can let us know:
- Online – Log in to your hub and complete the online form. Just select your mortgage account, click on Tools, then choose Request third party mandate.
- By post – Download and complete the Third Party Mandate form, then send it to:
- By phone – Call us on 0345 300 8000* and give us your consent.
Bank of Ireland
Mortgage Services
PO Box 3191
Bristol
BS1 9HY.
You can ask us to send you a copy if you don’t have a printer.
Once we have your form, we’ll get in touch with them.
We’ll need everyone named on the mortgage to agree to adding a third party. Just let us know if this isn’t possible.
* Visit our accessibility support page to call using a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. To call using text Relay, dial 18001 then the number you want to call using a textphone or the Relay UK app. All calls are recorded for training and monitoring purposes. Lines are open 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. We’re closed on Bank Holidays. 03 calls cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02). Calls from landlines and mobiles are included in free call packages.
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document. It lets someone you trust make decisions for you if you can’t make them yourself or need help with making decisions.
The person who gives this permission is called the donor, and the person who receives it is called an attorney.
There are different types of power of attorney. The right one depends on whether short-term help is needed or because you no longer have mental capacity.
The rules for applying for a POA depends on where you live:
What do I need to send you?
Once you’ve registered your POA with the Office of the Public Guardian, we need:
-
Proof that the POA has been granted by either:
-
The digital access code if the POA was set up online. You can:
- Send a message from your hub
- Email services@boi.com
- Call us on 0345 300 8000*
-
The original or certified copy of the POA certificate. Post it to:
Bank of Ireland
PO Box 3191
Bristol
BS1 9HY.
-
The digital access code if the POA was set up online. You can:
- An original or certified copy of proof of the attorney’s identity and address.
- To know whether they’re paying the mortgage using their own money. We’ll need to ask them some questions, such as how they’re funding the payments.
* Visit our accessibility support page to call using a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. To call using text Relay, dial 18001 then the number you want to call using a textphone or the Relay UK app. All calls are recorded for training and monitoring purposes. Lines are open 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. We’re closed on Bank Holidays. 03 calls cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02). Calls from landlines and mobiles are included in free call packages.
If someone loses mental capacity to make decisions and doesn’t have a POA already set up, the court can appoint somebody to act on their behalf. This could be a relative, friend, or a professional, such as a solicitor.
There are three types of court appointed authority:
- Court of Protection Orders and Deputyship – England and Wales
- Controllership Order – Northern Ireland
- Guardianship Order – Scotland
What can a court appointed person do?
This will be agreed on a case-by-case basis by the court but they may be able to:
- Manage bank accounts and income
- Pay bills and ongoing financial commitments
- Deal with property and mortgage accounts
- Make financial decisions in the borrower’s best interests
- Make decisions on health and welfare matters.
They must:
- Act within the authority granted by the court
- Keep accurate financial records
- In some cases, submit regular reports or accounts.
Certain decisions, such as selling property or making significant financial changes, may need other court approvals.
What do you need?
Before we can deal with a court-appointed person, we’ll need:
- An original or certified copy of the court order, such as Deputyship, Controllership, or Guardianship
- An original or certified copy of the appointed persons proof of identity and address.
- Any further orders giving additional approvals
- To know whether they’re paying the mortgage using their own money. We’ll need to ask them some questions, such as how they’re funding the payments.
More information
You can find further details on the relevant websites:
* Visit our accessibility support page to call using a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. To call using text Relay, dial 18001 then the number you want to call using a textphone or the Relay UK app. All calls are recorded for training and monitoring purposes. Lines are open 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. We’re closed on Bank Holidays. 03 calls cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02). Calls from landlines and mobiles are included in free call packages.