Administrative error with rent - can you help?

staggerlee79

In March 2009 I made a payment to my landlord of 750 pounds. Taking my debt down to 698. This was confirmed with the landlord and ever since then I have been receiving signed letters saying that I owe 698. However last week I received a further letter saying that in fact there has been an oversight and that the check actually bounced. Even if the check did bounce - does the proof of correspondence work in my favour or is it simply an administrative error, despite being an admin error overlooked for a year? Would really appreciate some advice as this has me really worried.

BitterAndTwisted

Surely a responsible adult would be in a position to know whether a cheque had cleared or not? Generally, if a cheque is not honoured by the bank they will write to the account-holder.

You need to check your bank statements and correspondence rather than trying to find a crafty way of weaseling out of paying this debt.

Why haven't you paid a penny towards this debt since last year? It's a miracle that your LL hasn't taken you to court!

staggerlee79

It was a simple and hypothetical question and I have been making regular payments to my landlord. The debt was down to #150 and now they wish to add another #750 on it.

Quirky6000

Well if the cheque did actually bounce, they wouldn't be "adding" £750 to the balance, they'd just be claiming what they are owed. Surely both parties would have realised a cheque for that amount had bounced way before now though?

BitterAndTwisted

Then I suggest you either treble-check your bank statements or phone the bank to verify whether this cheque cleared or not.

staggerlee79

Quirky6000 wrote: »

Well if the cheque did actually bounce, they wouldn't be "adding" £750 to the balance, they'd just be claiming what they are owed. Surely both parties would have realised a cheque for that amount had bounced way before now though?

Yeah you would have thought that but it has taken them a year to realise. From a legal point of view I think it would be difficult for them to claim I still owe them an extra 750 giving the letters would surely act as receipt.

sonastin

Forget legalities, do you owe them the £750 or not?

corbyboy

Quirky6000 wrote: »

Well if the cheque did actually bounce, they wouldn't be "adding" £750 to the balance, they'd just be claiming what they are owed. Surely both parties would have realised a cheque for that amount had bounced way before now though?

The OP clearly knows that the cheque bounced. He just wants to know if he can use the signed statements saying he owes 698 as a way of getting out of paying the money he actually owes.

mrstinchcombe

OP you owe the money, pay up

BitterAndTwisted

That was the firm impression I got and the answer is "NO"!

A debt is a debt and no amount of p1ssing about saying "you sent me a letter/statement saying I didn't owe £750" won't wash, I'm afraid

tbs624

Welcome as a newbie poster.

This is probably not what you want to hear but can I ask you something?

Do you ever check your own bank statements?

Most people would notice whether or not a payment of 750 quid had cleared

If you owe more than two months rent then your LL can apply for repossession of the property.

Ask your LL to give you a written rent statement covering the period in which you ran up arrears up to the present date and then sort out a payment plan as a matter of priority.