Credit file gym default 30 May 2013 at 4:21PM in Credit file & ratings 12 replies 3.8K views

Aj81

Hi,

I recently acquired a copy of my credit file from experian as I am planning to buy my first house. To my surprise I found out that it has a default placed by harlands finance of £600 for the gym membership that I had cancelled back in 2010. At the time I was 4 months in to my gym membership of 24 months contract and was moving home so I spoke to the gym staff who agreed to cancel the membership. I obviously moved home soon after that and then never received any communication regarding this membership. What should I do in this situation? I have never dealt with a matter like this before. Should I contact a lawyer? The default appears on the credit file under loan. Thanks

UsetheFORCE

Did they actually 'lend' you the money? Do you still have the original agreement???

Aj81

UsetheFORCE wrote: »

Did they actually 'lend' you the money? Do you still have the original agreement???

No it was just a regular gym membership, I do not have the original agreement. I can try contacting the gym to get a copy of the agreement?

Tixy

If you only had a verbal conversation with a member of staff you will find it harder to get the default removed.
You would first need to obtain a copy of the original agreement to see what it said about cancelling the agreement within the 24 month period. If you don't have a copy of this you can request it in writing from the gym (probably from the head office if its a chain gym).

You could also write to harlands to state you have noted that they have entered a default on your credit file and require them to provide you with proof of the debt. You could use the prove it letter adapted to say you have seen this on your credit file - Letter when you know nothing about about the debt - AKA "Prove it" letter

Thrugelmir

Aj81 wrote: »

I obviously moved home soon after that and then never received any communication regarding this membership.

No mail redirection notice?

Aj81

Thrugelmir wrote: »

No mail redirection notice?

I never redirected my mail

iAMaLONDONER

Tixy wrote: »

If you only had a verbal conversation with a member of staff you will find it harder to get the default removed.
You would first need to obtain a copy of the original agreement to see what it said about cancelling the agreement within the 24 month period. If you don't have a copy of this you can request it in writing from the gym (probably from the head office if its a chain gym).

You could also write to harlands to state you have noted that they have entered a default on your credit file and require them to provide you with proof of the debt. You could use the prove it letter adapted to say you have seen this on your credit file - Letter when you know nothing about about the debt - AKA "Prove it" letter

I can't believe it, gym memberships will show on your credit file?!

Surely that's not credit...
Though I guess car insurance can be if you pay monthly rather than up front

matttye

My gym uses Harlands for the financial side of things too, but they don't report to my credit files. Seems like they only report when it suits them!

Out of curiosity, what gym is it?

Aj81

matttye wrote: »

My gym uses Harlands for the financial side of things too, but they don't report to my credit files. Seems like they only report when it suits them!

Out of curiosity, what gym is it?

It's Panther Gym in West Drayton (West London).

Aj81

Tixy wrote: »

If you only had a verbal conversation with a member of staff you will find it harder to get the default removed.
You would first need to obtain a copy of the original agreement to see what it said about cancelling the agreement within the 24 month period. If you don't have a copy of this you can request it in writing from the gym (probably from the head office if its a chain gym).

You could also write to harlands to state you have noted that they have entered a default on your credit file and require them to provide you with proof of the debt. You could use the prove it letter adapted to say you have seen this on your credit file -

Thanks Tixy, no it is not a chain gym. It is a privetley owned local gym and I am quite sure they don't have anymore branches. Will the Harlands (debt collection agency) be able to provide me a copy of the contract? How can they register a gym membership defaulted under loan? Surely there must be a way to get it removed.

The most of the 'prove it' template content does not apply to me. They are not really chasing me for debt, I found out about it after checking my credit file. What should I replace the office of fair trading bit with?

pauletruth

because a lot of those contracts are funded by loans. bet if you look at the paperwork you signed it will be there.

however send them cca letter.