Debt letter - 8 years old!

dre_day_1984

Hi guys, im new to the forum so please let me know if i am posting this in the wrong forum.

I have just received a letter form my university about unpaid tuition/accommodation fees from 8 years ago! I have no recollection of missing nay payments and this is the first i am hearing about it.

Before i call them i would like to know my legal rights regarding very old debt - IF it turns out i missed a payment, am i still obliged to pay them even though i haven't heard about it for this long?

Also, do they have to prove that i owe them money? How would they do this? My account i used to pay the fees with has long been shut down as it was a student account with a different bank that i use now.

Fun fun fun! Appreciate any advice and help.

fermi

Would likely be statute barred.

See this link: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2606811

harrys_dad

Did you graduate? Have you got your degree certificate? Even if it is statute barred they sometimes withhold certificates if they feel you owe them money. If you have your certificate already then if the debt is statute barred there is little they can do.

dre_day_1984

i actually did not graduate, i have heard of withholding certificates before.

i am worried about the debt remaining on my credit file even if it is statute barred though.

fermi

Is it on there? It shouldn't be.

dre_day_1984

no it isnt on there, but the national debtline fact sheet mentions any outstanding debts statute barred may stay on your credit file.

fermi

Yes, but this type of debt would never have been reported on your credit files in the first place, and it certainly should never be now.