Unfair bank charges

lilysgarden

I have a (possibly) dumb question about some bank charges I incurred last month. Short version is that my rent went out on the 25th of the month(3 days early for some reason). Because of the rent going out early, I went over my overdraft and incurred a fee of £25 on the 26th. Some further bills went out over night which then pushed me further over my overdraft and I incurred a second fee of £25 on the 27th. On the 28th, I logged onto internet banking to make sure my wages had gone in as normal and looked to be the right amount and thats when I'd discovered the rent had sent me over my overdraft.

But I don't feel that £50 is a fair amount to be charging when they allowed my rent to go out early, or that I should have even incurred 2 seperate charges for it. I know the Courts ruled in favour of consumers when it came to bank charges, but I am a typical blonde when it comes to this stuff. Does anyone know if I can appeal against this amount? Or even reduce it to one charge which would be better for me? Any advice would be much appreciated!

Cheers, Nik

CLAPTON

if, as you say, it was the banks fault then best to discuss this them in a polite manner and ask for a refund

why did the rent go out early... was it a standing order or DD or what?

Paul_Herring

when they allowed my rent to go out early

You'll only have a case against the bank if the rent is a Standing Order you've set up for the 28th.

If, however, your rent is a Direct Debit, you may have a case against your landlord/whoever is collecting it, because it is they who caused it to come out early, not your bank.

(And in case you argue that the bank should have bounced the DD, if that's what it is, you'd have incurred fees from your bank anyway.)

lilysgarden

It is a standing order set up to go out on the 28th. It goes into my boyfriends account to pay my share of the rent, bills etc, but I know he's done nothing to get the money sooner. The only time it's ever gone out early in the past is when the 28th falls on a weekend or holiday etc, so that's not a problem as I always allow for that. Like I say, I don't mind paying a fee, it just seems unfair to pay two seperate fee's for going over the overdraft amount once. Like I say, I don't mind paying the fee itself, it's just that I understood the court ruling stated that the amounts the banks are charging are unfair, and if thats the case, then in theory, they shouldn't be charging me this amount?!

Paul_Herring

It is a standing order set up to go out on the 28th.

Then it is your bank you need to speak to. The 28th was a Thursday, no reason what so ever to move it sooner.

but I know he's done nothing to get the money sooner.

(Short of signing into your account etc,) there's nothing he could do to move it sooner.

Demand an explanation from your bank.

lilysgarden

Cheers guys, much appreciated!