A mum sold house because she paid Mortgage some years back

mum has been forced to sell a house after a bank threatened to repossess it - despite her never having missed a single mortgage payment in SEVEN YEARS.

The Co-op Bank, which markets itself as an 'ethical bank', has faced criticism over the decision to attempt to repossess the house in Manchester.

The bank eventually took legal action after the original borrower, Victoria McDonald's partner Jeffrey Sharpe, died without leaving a will.

Victoria's solicitor told the Manchester Evening News the case highlights why it's vital for unmarried couples to both make a will - and to put each other's names on their mortgages.

The terraced property in the Openshaw area of the city was owned by Jeffrey who died, aged 31, in 2010.

After his death Victoria McDonald, who is the mother of his four children, continued to pay the mortgage.

She didn't miss any payments, but the Co-op eventually began legal proceedings to repossess the property in April 2016.

Victoria, 37, had hoped the home would be a nest egg for her children.

The bank was due to return to Manchester County Court on Monday for the third time, but is now requesting an adjournment.

The Co-op insists it has taken legal action ‘as a last resort’.

Mr Sharpe had two properties, one in Oldham, that the family live in, and the one in Manchester.

The amount of the loan for the Manchester property was £64,775. The amount outstanding is around £54,000.

Victoria, 37, said: “I have continued to pay the mortgage for seven years with help from my family.

"I have never missed a payment.

“At the end of the day it is for the children, and I didn’t want to sell it.

"I wanted to leave it for the kids when they were older, but the bank is making me sell it.

Victoria’s solicitor David Huxley, of Stockport-based Harvey Roberts Solicitors, said: “This sad case illustrates that unmarried couples should always try to make a will and place each other on the mortgage.

“I find it astonishing that a bank which claims to be ethical would pursue a widow who has consistently paid the mortgage for many years after the death of her partner. She has no arrears.

“If the bank successfully get a possession order and sell the property she will inevitably suffer a great financial loss. Meaning there is less money for her and four children.