HDFC fined by consumer court!

In an interesting verdict, a Delhi consumer court has fined HDFC Ltd Rs. 25000 + Rs. 5000 for litigation charges. 


http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hdfc-told-by-consumer-forum-to-pay-rs-1.28l-to-customer/950115/


Moral of the story: Don't be afraid of the biggies. If you think someone is cheating you, file a consumer case!

Another burden on your new home loan!

Bad news for new home loan customers. 


http://business-standard.com/india/news/reserve-bank-puts-new-clamphome-loans/463845/


RBI has asked the banks not to consider stamp duty and registration charges while calculating the finance amount. 


Stamp duty is approx 4% of the property value while the registration charges are 1% (with 30k cap currently)


Be ready to take a hit of 5%; i.e. approx reduction in your property value while calculating the finance amount

Rs. 100 per transaction removed by HDFC

It appears that HDFC has removed the transaction charge for online payment for EMI. 
Please refer my thoughts on transaction fee of Rs. 100 that HDFC had introduced last year. 


Has NHB's circular done the trick?
(I bet they will soon introduce some irresistible "schemes" for existing customers who are paying much higher interest rate (apart from the regular loan conversion offers))


But hold on before you jump the guns. 
HDFC requires you to register your bank account with them if you want to continue availing the online payment facility. Get the form here. 

Evil banks

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/rates-to-rise-if-prepayment-fee-is-waived-banks-tells-rbi/articleshow/10480550.cms


This is nothing but hypocrisy on part of the banks. 
I have known for the last few years that Axis bank doesn't charge any prepayment penalty at all (even for balance transfer). 
If Axis bank can afford it, there is no reason for other banks to not do the same. 


If you want to pass on the burden to the customers, then go ahead and do it. Ultimately it is banks like these who will be doomed because there are always going to be good and ethical banks. 

HDFC not aware of NHB's circular

As expected, HDFC is not aware of the NHB circular dated 19th Oct 2011. 


I visited HDFC Baner (Pune) branch today and asked for a foreclosure statement. The lady manager also included 2% prepayment penalty in the letter. 
When I protested and showed her the print of the NHB circular, she said it has not reached them yet and I'd have to talk to the manager in the main branch (Pune). 


For time being, I have collected the letter which mentions 2% penalty. 


I expect all of you to flood HDFC or your HFCs with demands of foreclosure statements so that they understand power of consumers. 

Prepayment penalty - Update

I just spoke to Mr. Ranjan Kumar from DRS (Department of Regulation and Supervision), NHB to clarify my doubt. 


My question: What if the HFC refuses to provide the benefit of prepayment penalty waiver citing the agreement it has with the existing customer? 


Mr. Kumar then clarified that the circular is very much applicable for whoever chooses to prepay/close the home loan (even switchover of bank) anytime after 19th Oct 2011. 


So don't worry and free yourself from the jaws of your lender/HFC. 


Keep the print of this circular handy!

Rs. 1000 gift as a gesture!

With reference to my earlier post, I would like to invite a guest reader on this blog and would expect them to write about their experience and the process of home loan switchover; i.e. basically review of the process and all the details. 


As a goodwill gesture, I will offer Rs. 1000/- by cheque to the one person who is the first one to do the following things: 
1. ..compete the switchover process from one lender to another. 
2. ..write detailed review of the process and allow me to post it on my blog as a guest user. 


Disclaimer: 
1. This is entirely my personal gesture (valid till 30th Nov 2011) and I'm not associated with any bank or HFC. 
2. There are no other terms and conditions