Ascent Performance Group: Debt and Mortgage Arrears Letters

Are you concerned about a debt letter from Ascent Performance Group? This can be confusing, especially if you don’t know where the debt came from or if you should be paying it. 

A debt letter can be worrying. Keep the correspondence, check the creditor and balance, and note any response deadline. Free independent debt advice is available.

In this article, we’ll guide you through:

•  Understanding what Ascent Performance Group is.
•  Exploring if you really need to pay the debt.
•  Learning how to deal with debt collectors.
•  Knowing your rights if you can’t afford to pay.
•  Discovering other options before paying your debt.

Our team knows the fear and worry that comes with debt letters; we’ve been there too. So, we’re here to help you learn more about how to handle Ascent Performance Group debt.

Have you received a letter?

A collection demand is not necessarily a formal Letter of Claim. Read the document carefully, check who the creditor is and respond by any stated deadline. If court papers arrive, follow the court’s deadline even while you are disputing the account or waiting for documents.

Are they bailiffs?

Ascent Performance Group is a debt-recovery law firm, not merely an administrative collection service. Its collection letters do not themselves give anyone bailiff powers. Court proceedings, enforcement of a judgment and enforcement of a possession order are distinct processes, each requiring the appropriate authority.

Complain to the firm first. The SRA deals with concerns about solicitors’ conduct; the Legal Ombudsman generally considers eligible complaints about your own legal-service provider. The Financial Ombudsman may consider eligible financial-services complaints. Check the relevant body’s jurisdiction and deadlines; a complaint does not stop court proceedings.

Who owns Ascent Performance Group?

Ascent’s current website identifies Ascent Performance Group Limited as a wholly owned subsidiary of Lantern Group Holdings Limited. It is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 570670. Older references to Irwin Mitchell ownership should not be treated as current.

Do I have to pay?

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

Check the demand promptly and seek advice about any dispute. Continue to address priority mortgage payments and possession deadlines; do not assume that receiving a collection letter gives you a payment holiday.

If the debt or balance is disputed, explain the issue and request relevant evidence. This is not a tactic for delaying valid payments. A document request does not extend a court deadline or automatically suspend mortgage payments or possession proceedings.

What Happens If I Don’t Pay?

The consequences depend especially on whether this is an unsecured debt or mortgage arrears.

1. Mortgage arrears are a priority because your home can be at risk. Tell the lender promptly if payments are unaffordable and seek free debt or housing advice.
2. In England and Wales, the mortgage pre-action protocol expects lenders to provide information, consider reasonable proposals and explore alternatives before a possession claim.
3. An agreed affordable arrears arrangement may help, but an offer alone does not guarantee that proceedings will stop. Obtain written confirmation of any agreement.
4. If the lender brings a possession claim, respond and attend the hearing. Repossession requires the appropriate court process; an ordinary CCJ is not automatically the first step in every mortgage case.

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Will they take me to court?

Ascent may act for a creditor in litigation. Whether a claim is brought depends on the account, the creditor’s instructions and the applicable procedure. Obtain advice about a proposed money claim or possession claim rather than assuming a warning is empty.

Nevertheless, it’s important not to assume that any legal threats are empty threats. 

Customer reviews

These are individual reviews reproduced from an earlier version of this article. They are not a current representative survey or verified findings about the firm. Your response should depend on your account and the evidence.

A review about one customer’s mortgage arrangement does not predict the outcome of another account or establish that a firm is better than its competitors.

Have a read of some below:

“Gary Ellis, I found to be very sympathetic and listened to what I had to say, and was not judgemental at all, made me feel at ease, and made the process a lot less intimidating. Thanks”

• Mr John M (Traustpilot reviewer)

“I am currently dealing with Ascent, who are working with me regarding my mortgage arrears. I had buried my head in the sand for some time prior to Ascent getting involved on behalf of Halifax and was extremely anxious about the whole situation. Since the first contact with Carly, my mind was put at ease.”

• Laura (Traustpilot reviewer)

Alternative options before you pay

Check what type of debt is being pursued, whether the balance is right and whether any legal time limit applies.

#1: Check the debt type and any legal time limit

Many ordinary unsecured debts have a six-year limitation period in England and Wales, but this must not be applied automatically to mortgage debt. Section 20 of the Limitation Act generally provides 12 years for an action to recover mortgage principal and six years for arrears of interest, with important rules about when time starts and restarts. Mortgage possession and shortfall claims need specialist advice.

Scotland has different prescription rules. Do not assume that a mortgage, an existing judgment or another specialised debt has disappeared merely because five or six years have passed.

Keep in mind that not all debts become statute-barred!

A debt with an existing judgment, council tax liability order or enforcement warrant cannot be assessed using a simple six-years-since-last-payment rule. Tax debts also have special rules. A judgment does not disappear when its six-year credit-file entry ends, although later enforcement may require court permission.

If your debt is statute-barred, you can use my free letter template to write to Ascent Performance and explain the situation.

If you are unsure about the status of your debt, you can contact a debt charity for some advice. Their advisors will be able to look at the debt in question, determine its status, and advise you on your next steps.

#2: Request evidence that you owe the debt

If you have received debt letters from Ascent Performance, but aren’t sure if they’re legit, what do you do?

If you genuinely dispute liability, a prove-it letter may help you request evidence. For mortgage arrears, also request an account statement and seek advice about affordability, possession deadlines and any disputed charges. See prove it letter template.

If you dispute the debt, explain why and ask for an itemised balance and evidence that you are liable. For recovery covered by FCA consumer-credit rules, a valid or potentially valid dispute must be investigated and recovery paused. A generic proof request does not cancel a debt, override an existing court order or extend a court deadline.

Reply promptly and keep records, but do not assume that contact alone prevents charges or court action. If your home is at risk, obtain free housing or debt advice urgently.

Ascent Performance Group Contact Information