Rising costs are having an impact on lots of people in different ways. From increases in energy bills to having to use your savings more often. No matter your situation, we’re here to help you.
Help with your mortgage
If you’re worried about paying your Ecology mortgage, the best thing to do is to contact us. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help you. You can call us on 01535 650770 or send us a message using our online form.
Speaking to us won’t affect your credit file. That may only happen if we go on to make an arrangement with you. We will report any arrears on your account though, and this could affect your ability to get credit in future.
Support when you need it most
If you’re worried about money or are experiencing financial difficulty, get in touch. Here are some of the ways we could help, depending on your situation:
- Arrange a temporary payment plan with you.
- Change the way you make your payments, or the date you make them.
- Let you pay back your mortgage over a longer period (reducing your monthly payments).
- Change the repayment method of your mortgage.
- Defer your monthly mortgage payment (take a payment holiday).
- A combination of any of the above.
We’ve signed the Government Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a set of universal standards to help and reassure mortgage holders worried by high interest rates.
Getting more help
You can get free, independent and impartial debt advice from the following organisations:
They’ll go through your situation, discuss your budget and what you owe, and make a plan with you. You’ll find lots of information on their websites. They can also make sure you’re getting any benefits you might be entitled to.
These organisations are all regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so you know you’re in safe hands.
They do not work for us or any other lender. They’ll advise you based on what’s best for you and your situation.
The Building Societies Association also has help information on its website about ‘What to do if you can’t pay your mortgage’. This has further advice and resources which you may find helpful.
If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud or a scam, or if you are worried about suspicious activity, let us know as soon as possible.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01535 650770
We’re open Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) between 9am to 5pm only. We only process payments within these times so there’s no risk of money leaving your account outside of these times.
Learn more about fraud and scams.
How do I tell you about a bereavement?
We understand there is a lot to deal with when going through a bereavement. At Ecology, we will support you as much as we can and help to make the process with us as straightforward as possible. We will need to ask you for some information and documents.
Please call or email as soon as you can. We will explain what happens next, and you can ask us any questions.
If you are experiencing grief, there are specialist organisations that will be able to support you emotionally during this time, including:
Cruse Bereavement Support
Receive support online or over the phone from the specialist bereavement charity Cruse Bereavement Support.
Phone: 0808 808 1677
UK Government
Practical step-by-step guidance on what to do after a death is provided by the UK Government, including registering the death, notifying the government and dealing with the estate.
Citizens Advice
Further advice and information about what to do after a death is available from the independent charity Citizens Advice.
Jargon buster
- Administrator – A person responsible for handling the estate of someone who died without a will. This is usually the main beneficiary and is determined by legal rules.
- Beneficiary – Someone who receives an inheritance. If there’s a will, the beneficiaries are chosen by the deceased. Without a will, the rules of intestacy decide.
- Estate – Everything a person owned when they died, such as property, money, savings, investments, vehicles, and personal belongings.
- Estate Administration – The process of managing a deceased person’s estate. This includes valuing the estate, paying debts and taxes, closing accounts, and distributing assets to beneficiaries.
- Executor – A person named in a will to manage the deceased’s estate. They go through probate and handle estate administration. Executors can choose to step down.
- Grant of Letters of Administration – A legal document that allows an administrator to manage the estate when there is no will.
- Grant of Probate – A legal document that allows an executor to manage the estate when there is a will.
- Grant of Representation – A term covering both the Grant of Probate and the Grant of Letters of Administration.
- Intestate – When someone dies without a valid will, their estate is distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy.
- Personal representative – A term for both executors and administrators.
- Probate – A legal process to get permission to manage a deceased person’s Estate. Executors or Administrators apply for this, depending on whether there’s a Will. It’s not always needed and depends on the Estate’s value and assets.
- Probate Registry – A court service that processes applications for a Grant of Representation.
- Renunciation – When an executor formally steps down from their role.
- Rules of Intestacy – Laws that determine who inherits when someone dies without a will, prioritising next of kin.
- Small Estate – An estate valued below the probate threshold. In this case, probate might not be needed.
We understand that dementia can bring unique challenges for individuals and their families. We’re here to support you and to help make managing your finances as simple as possible. Below are some frequently asked questions and ways we can help.
What should I do if I or a loved one needs help managing finances?
If you or someone you care for is living with dementia, we can help you make managing finances simpler. You can ask us to:
- Set up joint accounts or Power of Attorney access for trusted family members or friends.
- Help you understand how Powers of Attorney work and how they can be applied to accounts.
We will explain everything clearly and ensure your preferences are respected.
Can I appoint someone to help manage my account?
Yes. If you’re ready to appoint someone to manage your account, we can help you register a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or other legal authority. Our team will guide you through the steps and let you know about any forms or documents we need.
I’m worried about making decisions or understanding financial information. Can I get extra help?
Absolutely. We can make adjustments to suit your needs, such as:
- Give you more time to process information during calls.
- Provide written summaries of important points.
- Explain things in simpler terms or use larger print.
Just let us know what would help you feel comfortable.
Where else can I get support for dementia?
These organisations offer practical and emotional advice and support that you may find useful.
Alzheimer’s Society
The Alzheimer’s Society provides support and resources for people living with dementia and their carers.
Phone: 0333 150 3456
Visit: alzheimers.org.uk
Dementia UK
Dementia UK offers specialist dementia support, including Admiral Nurses.
Phone: 0800 888 6678
Visit: dementiauk.org
Age UK
Age UK offers advice on dementia and related issues, including financial planning.
Phone: 0800 055 6112
Visit: ageuk.org.uk
Additional help
We know everyone is different. And we know that what you need can change depending on what's happening in your life. If there’s ever a time you want more support from us, we're here to help.
You may need a large print version of a leaflet. Or more help understanding what something means. You may have been made redundant from work. Or perhaps you'd like us to send letters to your adult children so they can support you.
Get in touch to let us know how we can help.
