Halifax mortgage customers to receive 'housewarming gift'

Date:Monday 4th October 2010
Author: Susanna Kavka

People taking out a Halifax mortgage this autumn will be offered £500 towards the cost of energy bills in their new home.

The lender has announced that all new mortgage and remortgage customers are entitled to receive the "housewarming present", which is available between October 4th and November 5th.

It can be claimed within six months of a new mortgage completing and the money will be paid directly to the utility supplier following the provision of a valid bill.

Commercial director at Halifax mortgages Stephen Noakes said the deal is designed to make the early stages of homeownership easier for new buyers, movers and remortgagers.

"There are numerous costs incurred with setting up or running a home and energy bills usually represent a significant chunk of a household's monthly outgoings," he commented.

Research published by Halifax in August revealed that 94 per cent of first-time property purchases are now exempt from stamp duty, with the average new buyer putting down a deposit of £30,380 in the second quarter of 2010.