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Help! Is this charge legal?
John_Anon_Smith
Posts: 2 Newbie
I received a phonecall today from the company I rent my flat from, Grant Management. They were phoning to tell me that I have to pay them £30 tomorrow or a further £30 on top of that if I fail to make that payment on top of my rent (£270).
They say I am being charged this because the Direct Debit I have with them failed and was rejected. This is probably because my pay has not come through and won't till tomorrow at the latest. The problem I have with this is that I am a student, it's not term time and I've been working 36 hour weeks to keep up with their rent and getting around or under £500 per month. This charge, on top of the £20 I have to pay tomorrow for material fees will cut my spending budget by at least £50, which will eat into my food budget (pun!) by a considerable margin.
Is their charge legal and enfoceable or can I challenge it? Thanks in advance.
They say I am being charged this because the Direct Debit I have with them failed and was rejected. This is probably because my pay has not come through and won't till tomorrow at the latest. The problem I have with this is that I am a student, it's not term time and I've been working 36 hour weeks to keep up with their rent and getting around or under £500 per month. This charge, on top of the £20 I have to pay tomorrow for material fees will cut my spending budget by at least £50, which will eat into my food budget (pun!) by a considerable margin.
Is their charge legal and enfoceable or can I challenge it? Thanks in advance.
0
Comments
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If it is in the tenancy agreement then it is enforceable. I also charge interest at 6% on any outstanding rent on top of a GBP25 charge and I have never been challanged in court. Writing and sending a letter as well as a telephone call can easily cost 25-30 pounds when you take into account the time, trip to the post box etc.
As a tenant you have an obligation to pay your rent. This is your duty. You have failed and now must pay the LL their reasonable costs in taking action to recover outstanding rent.0 -
Check what your tenancy agreement says, if anything, about late payment of rent and possible charges.
Whilst it's difficult for anyone on a low income you have to prioritise paying your rent - you say that its "probably" that your pay hasn't gone in. Don't you check your bank balance from time to time? If you know that you may have trouble meeting your rent ontime, talk to your LL/LA *prior* to the due date. You having to pay out for Uni materials etc is irrelevant to your LL, but they may have given you a few days grace.
If you are struggling for money, look at working longer hours outside term time or getting a second bar job at the weekend.0
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