Debt collectors charges ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE

Brad33

Hi guys

I owe £135 for ground rent on my house.

This debt was sent to a collection agency who sent me a letter asking for £166 (including there charges)

This letter arrived sometime after last Thursday (20th) as I was away from that night until yesterday, I opened the letter last night and decided I would pay this Friday as payday.

This morning I had a knock on the door, it was the collection agency asking me to pay £346?? I disputed this and advised i would pay £166 on Friday and explained that I had been away so had only just read the letter and had not had time to pay!

The collector advised that they had sent a letter and as I had not paid so he was calling and that's why the amount was now £346!
Again I advised the collector that it was unfair as not given me time to pay!
He then asked to see the letter to which he advised the letter was dated 14/06 and it would have been posted the next day so unlikely that took that long to get to me! And I should take it up with Royal Mail!! (Basically calling me a lier)

He posted a new bill though the door with charges of £180 for calling today!

Once he left I noticed on the envelope of the original letter that it was franked on 18/06 so could not have been posted until at least that date!

Hey have also completely spelt my name incorrectly (don't no if that means anything)

I feel that the charges and small time frame is not fair and maybe un lawful

Any help would be really appreciated

Thanks brad

Brad33

Can any one help me please?

[Deleted User]

Brad33 wrote: »

This debt was sent to a collection agency

Sent, or sold?

Brad33

SENT

The wording is as follows
"We are instructed by our above named client in the recovery of ground rent arrears"

Brad33

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Sent, or sold?

SENT

The wording is as follows
"We are instructed by our above named client in the recovery of ground rent arrears"

[Deleted User]

In that case (and I stand to be corrected) it is my understanding, that they can't add their own charges.

terryw

Is there anything in the lease about fees etc for late payment?

You might find this thread from Landlordzone interesting:

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/archive/index.php/t-45173.html

harveybobbles

DCA's cant add their own charges. Pay what is owed ie £135 and tell them to take you to Court for the rest and let them explain to a Judge what the charges are.

PS next time they knock on your door, tell them to leave or you will call the police.

Brad33

harveybobbles wrote: »

DCA's cant add their own charges. Pay what is owed ie £135 and tell them to take you to Court for the rest and let them explain to a Judge what the charges are.

PS next time they knock on your door, tell them to leave or you will call the police.

Thanks for this....it does seem to be the general theme!

He did say he would be back as there is a car on my drive! Is he able to clamp it? Ironically it's a lease car so not in my name but in principle?

Also I have been advised to pay the ground rent company directly rather than the collection agency? What's your advice?

Thanks again

ysbrydtawel

Brad33 wrote: »

He did say he would be back as there is a car on my drive! Is he able to clamp it? Ironically it's a lease car so not in my name but in principle?

The idiot's just scaremongering. He can't touch your car - he's just a debt collector, not a bailiff. They're just normal civilians like you or me - if you ask him to leave your property, and he doesn't, he can get into just as much trouble as you could if you went into a stranger's house and refused to leave.

The only way a bailiff could take your car would be if you'd defaulted on a repayment plan agreed during a County Court Judgement - the bailiff would then have to apply for permission to come and take something, and he'd have to have a particular document (I forget the name) authorising him to do so.


Debt collectors behave in an intimidating way to try to trick people into letting them into their house, because they don't know they can choose to refuse. If you let him come in, he's not trespassing. If you give him your car keys, you're shooting yourself in the foot.

Brad33

ysbrydtawel wrote: »

The idiot's just scaremongering. He can't touch your car - he's just a debt collector, not a bailiff. They're just normal civilians like you or me - if you ask him to leave your property, and he doesn't, he can get into just as much trouble as you could if you went into a stranger's house and refused to leave.

The only way a bailiff could take your car would be if you'd defaulted on a repayment plan agreed during a County Court Judgement - the bailiff would then have to apply for permission to come and take something, and he'd have to have a particular document (I forget the name) authorising him to do so.


Debt collectors behave in an intimidating way to try to trick people into letting them into their house, because they don't know they can choose to refuse. If you let him come in, he's not trespassing. If you give him your car keys, you're shooting yourself in the foot.

Brilliant some great points here! Thank you