CCJ Problems - What are my options.

TimSteer

Hi, I've managed to get myself in a big mess and now have a CCJ for my troubles.

It started when i moved into property "A". I payed all my utility bills as they came through the door, but South West Water (SWW) never contacted or welcomed me, as a customer.

I lived there for approx 8 months and then moved to property "B" for 6 months.

When i went to move to property "C" i was credit checked and refused and also told it was due to my CCJ, something I new NOTHING ABOUT.

SWW never contacted me, nor did they threaten me with legal action.

Since then i have received a claim from the court on behalf of SWW with a response pack. I sent it back a month ago telling them i could afford to start a payment plan to clear the debt. I'm yet to hear anything from them.

I have just rang SWW and they've told me the courts are now dealing with it so I should contact them (Northampton County Court) which i tried but the number is just full of recorded information messages.

I dont know what i do next and if theres any chance of getting this CCJ removed on the grounds that they never contacted me about payment.

Please Help. :-(

Tixy

Hi

It is sometimes possible to get a judgement set aside. But it will all depend on the dates of when you moved properties and the date of the CCJ etc.
If SWW sent a court claim to your last known address (and you hadn't provided them with any later addressess) then this is usually all they need to get a CCJ.

You need to get a copy of the judgement if you haven't had one yet - and it should be possible to get this from the court (although Northampton are the bulk processing court so it might be harder to get through.

There is a factsheet here about getting a judgement set aside which you could read once you know the info and timing of yours to see if you might have a case - http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=12_how_to_set_aside_a_judgment_in_the_county_court

asp746

it's out of order the way they give ccj's without notifying people to give them a chance to contest it. ccj's are a millstone round your neck for 6 years - that's a long time.

fatbelly

If you now owe more than a year's worth of water, and are in rented accommodation, ask to go on to their RESTART scheme - this writes off your arrears progressively as you make payments for your ogoing usage.