CCJ questions?

cheesecakey

Hi all, I'm new here, well, I've been a lurker for a very long time but finally I decided to sign up as this site already helps me save money without being a member. Being one will hopefully help even further!

I am currently trying to get out of debt, my debts are nothing too big (mostly student ones) but over a year ago I moved out of my University flat with £1500 left to pay on rent. I moved out because my flat was never cleaned even before me moving in and the service by the company was a shambles. One day my apartment began to flood - I informed the security and they packed up and left my room to flood! I had to take things into my own hands because they did this. It was after this that I moved out because living there was too much for me to handle.

Now after almost a year of no correspondence from them they are trying to give me a CCJ saying I ower £2500, the extra is due to flat damamges in the common room. I was not living in the flat at this point and as such caused no damage whatsoever.

I have photographic evidence of the flat flooding but very little else. And as this is my first CCJ threat I am worried as to what happens with it. The following are concerning me:

- I will pay if my dispute is not successful. But I am worried about criminal charges or even prison.
- How much will I be expected to pay as I can not afford large monthly payments right now.
- Does it sound like I have a case at all?

I have friends who can vouch for the poor conditions I was living under and I am not contesting the rent missing even though I don't feel like I should pay it after the state I was left living in. But I want to contest the damamge charges as I was not living in the flat to cause such damages.

Any advice anyone can give on this would be massively appreciated.

Thanks

Tixy

Hi

How far has the claim got? have you received court papers to return? Who is trying to take you to court - a landlord company?

Have they detailed the extra due to the damages, when the damage happened etc? did you give notice that you had move out and was it before that date?
Do you know when the damages was caused in relation to when you moved out, how long after? do you know the details of what happened. How regular were inspections done by the company? if there were frequent inspections then maybe their own records will be able to prove that it happened after you had left?

Regarding the outstanding rent and a CCJ there is no possibility of criminal charges or prison. If the judge does award a CCJ you will simply be required to pay it off and it will go on your file.
If you are given a CCJ you can ask to pay in installments and provide the judge with your financial information - they will then order you to pay in installments at a rate you can afford each month.
If you could raise the cash then you could possibly still try to negotiate with the creditor to pay off a proportion of the debt that you agree between you is fair - ie itry to negotiate to just pay off the rent. This would then at least stop your credit file from being wrecked for the next few years. If you cannot raise the cash then you can complete the court paperwork to say that you admit part of the debt but not the whole debt.