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 MandatePower of Attorney (POA)Court-managed (Deputyship / Orders)
PurposeShare informationMake decisions on someone’s behalfCourt appoints a deputy to make decisions on someone’s behalf
Type of accessInformation onlyFinancial and/or welfare decisionsFinancial and/or welfare, decided by the court
DurationShort-termShort-term or ongoingOngoing
Who sets it upAccount holderIndividual while they have mental capacityThird party applies to the court when mental capacity is lost
Is mental capacity needed to set up?YesYesNo
Is mental capacity needed while the authority is registered or in place?YesDepends on type of POANo

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:

  1. 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.
  2. By post – Download and complete the Third Party Mandate form, then send it to:
  3. 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.

  4. By phone – Call us on 0345 300 8000* and give us your consent.

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:

  1. Proof that the POA has been granted by either:

    • The digital access code if the POA was set up online. You can:

    • The original or certified copy of the POA certificate. Post it to:
      Bank of Ireland
      PO Box 3191
      Bristol
      BS1 9HY.
  2. An original or certified copy of proof of the attorney’s identity and address.
  3. 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.


  • What proof of ID do you accept and how are they certified?

    Proof of identityProof of current address
    • Full UK/EU passport – not more than 10 years old
    • Old style UK driving licence – not more than 51 years old
    • Full or provisional driving licence – not more than 10 years old
    • Disabled persons card with photo and reference – not more than 10 years old
    • Pension/Allowance/Benefit book – must show full name, be valid and in date
    • Shotgun/Firearm certificate – must be valid and in date
    • Tax coding notice – not more than 13 months old
    • Northern Ireland voters’ card – not more than 10 years old
    • Full or provisional driving licence – not more than 10 years old
    • Utility bill. Acceptable bills are electricity, gas, water and phone, but not mobile phone bills – not more than three months old
    • Council tax bill – not more than 13 months old
    • Credit card/Bank statement – not more than three months old
    • Mortgage statement – not more than 13 months old

    The same document can’t be used for both proof of ID and proof of address.

    How does the attorney send proof of ID and address?

    The proof of ID and address must be posted to us at:

    Bank of Ireland
    PO Box 3191
    Bristol
    BS1 9HY.

    They must write your mortgage account number on each document or use a post-it note.

    Will you return the documents?

    We don’t send certified copies back, but we’ll destroy them securely. We recommend using recorded delivery if the originals are sent. We’ll return them this way too.

    Who can certify my document?

    • Accountant
    • Bank or building society official
    • Barrister
    • FCA registered broker or financial adviser
    • Solicitor or licensed conveyancer
    • Commissioner of Oaths
    • Justice of the Peace
    • The Post Office – they can’t certify birth or marriage certificates.

    All certified documents must include:

    1. The name of the person certifying the documents and their signature
    2. The date of the certification
    3. Their business stamp if they have one. If they don’t, we’ll need to know their company name, address and phone number.


* 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:


  • What proof of ID do you accept and how are they certified?

    Proof of identityProof of current address
    • Full UK/EU passport – not more than 10 years old
    • Old style UK driving licence – not more than 51 years old
    • Full or provisional driving licence – not more than 10 years old
    • Disabled persons card with photo and reference – not more than 10 years old
    • Pension/Allowance/Benefit book – must show full name, be valid and in date
    • Shotgun/Firearm certificate – must be valid and in date
    • Tax coding notice – not more than 13 months old
    • Northern Ireland voters’ card – not more than 10 years old
    • Full or provisional driving licence – not more than 10 years old
    • Utility bill. Acceptable bills are electricity, gas, water and phone, but not mobile phone bills – not more than three months old
    • Council tax bill – not more than 13 months old
    • Credit card/Bank statement – not more than three months old
    • Mortgage statement – not more than 13 months old

    The same document can’t be used for both proof of ID and proof of address.

    How does the attorney send proof of ID and address?

    The proof of ID and address must be posted to us at:

    Bank of Ireland
    PO Box 3191
    Bristol
    BS1 9HY.

    They must write your mortgage account number on each document or use a post-it note.

    Will you return the documents?

    We don’t send certified copies back, but we’ll destroy them securely. We recommend using recorded delivery if the originals are sent. We’ll return them this way too.

    Who can certify my document?

    • Accountant
    • Bank or building society official
    • Barrister
    • FCA registered broker or financial adviser
    • Solicitor or licensed conveyancer
    • Commissioner of Oaths
    • Justice of the Peace
    • The Post Office – they can’t certify birth or marriage certificates.

    All certified documents must include:

    1. The name of the person certifying the documents and their signature
    2. The date of the certification
    3. Their business stamp if they have one. If they don’t, we’ll need to know their company name, address and phone number.


* 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.

Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage