Britain’s largest logbook loan brand Logbook Loans Ltd. becomes
active again just days after the company that owned it went into
administration. Logbookloans.co.uk is now owned by Hermes Property
Services Limited. It operations are unaffected by this change of
ownership and continues to offer loans secured against the value of a
car or motorbike.
Consumers have the option of applying online or through the company’s network of brokers spread all over the country. The company’s logbook loans carry an APR of 478% and the minimum loan amount is £500.
History
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills estimates that nearly 40,000 logbook loans were registered between April 2008 and March 2009 in England and Wales. That roughly translates to £30m in loan amount. Logbook Loans Ltd. is estimated to have accounted for over 60% of these advances.
As far back as in October 2009 the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) had decided to revoke the licence of the parent company. Just as this process was about to conclude Nine Regions Limited and Log Book Loans Limited co-owners of the popular website logbookloans.co.uk, went into administration and its brand and loan book was bought by the Hermes Property Services Ltd. This firm was already running a small logbook loan operation.
Logbook lenders including Logbook Loans Ltd. offer loans secured against the value of a car. They rely on an old piece of legislation, The Bills of Sale Act 1878. It means that the when you take out a logbook loan, the car becomes the property of the lender. This gives them the right to seize the car in case of a default in repayment even without approaching a court.
This has been the cause of several disputes between logbook lenders and borrowers. This is natural considering that the logbook loans market comprises high risk borrowers with no access to mainstream credit. While logbook loans offer a lifeline to them in crunch situations, the likelihood of default by such borrowers is disproportionately high.
The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills had recently advised the government to impose a total ban on logbook loans. However, the government felt that such a measure would restrict retail access to credit and drive up interest costs. Needless to say, this is a situation best avoided. Instead the government is looking at options to make the lending and recovery process more transparent and fair to the consumer.
Industry changes
The logbook loan industry is introducing changes following the OFT’s action. Industry leaders are working with the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and the OFT to draft a code of practice specific to the logbook loans industry. Individual companies in the sector will be monitored and audited for adherence to this code.
It is expected that these changes will bring in some more order to the logbook loans industry and level the playing field. In conclusion, logbook loans are here to stay and those in need of urgent money will have even more reasons to consider a logbook loan.
Consumers have the option of applying online or through the company’s network of brokers spread all over the country. The company’s logbook loans carry an APR of 478% and the minimum loan amount is £500.
History
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills estimates that nearly 40,000 logbook loans were registered between April 2008 and March 2009 in England and Wales. That roughly translates to £30m in loan amount. Logbook Loans Ltd. is estimated to have accounted for over 60% of these advances.
As far back as in October 2009 the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) had decided to revoke the licence of the parent company. Just as this process was about to conclude Nine Regions Limited and Log Book Loans Limited co-owners of the popular website logbookloans.co.uk, went into administration and its brand and loan book was bought by the Hermes Property Services Ltd. This firm was already running a small logbook loan operation.
Logbook lenders including Logbook Loans Ltd. offer loans secured against the value of a car. They rely on an old piece of legislation, The Bills of Sale Act 1878. It means that the when you take out a logbook loan, the car becomes the property of the lender. This gives them the right to seize the car in case of a default in repayment even without approaching a court.
This has been the cause of several disputes between logbook lenders and borrowers. This is natural considering that the logbook loans market comprises high risk borrowers with no access to mainstream credit. While logbook loans offer a lifeline to them in crunch situations, the likelihood of default by such borrowers is disproportionately high.
The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills had recently advised the government to impose a total ban on logbook loans. However, the government felt that such a measure would restrict retail access to credit and drive up interest costs. Needless to say, this is a situation best avoided. Instead the government is looking at options to make the lending and recovery process more transparent and fair to the consumer.
Industry changes
The logbook loan industry is introducing changes following the OFT’s action. Industry leaders are working with the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and the OFT to draft a code of practice specific to the logbook loans industry. Individual companies in the sector will be monitored and audited for adherence to this code.
It is expected that these changes will bring in some more order to the logbook loans industry and level the playing field. In conclusion, logbook loans are here to stay and those in need of urgent money will have even more reasons to consider a logbook loan.