Whats the law ? Debt Call ?

Headancer

I have a static caravan on a site in NWales.

Site fees are paid 6 months in advance.

The latest 6 month fees of £1400 were due Oct 31st.

I work for NHS so wages are shocking BUT I want to keep the van for my daughter as all her friends are on the site and she has learning difficulties.

I sent am email offering to pay £300 and DD of £150 over 6 months with additional higher amounts when poss.

Yesterday I had a curt ansaphone message

"Fees are overdue Mr X if we don't receive payment by close of play we are adding £100 to outstanding....goodbye"

I couldn't call back as I work in A+E 7.30 until 8.30 same as clinicians.

Seemed incredibly heavy handed given my circumstances....

Can companies leave messages like that and just add an arbitrary figure in such a threatening way......

harveybobbles

Check the T&C's?

Townses

Perhaps it would be better to phone and have a conversation - bit more personal than an email, then you can hopefully reason with them and explain your situation a little more.

Sedge123

I agree with Townses, give them a call and explain. Hopefully they will be a bit more sympathetic.

~Beanie~

The payment plan that you are proposing doesn't give them the £1400 that they want. I realise that you have said 'additional higher amount when poss' but what if they are not possible, what if something crops up that prevents you paying more? Also, by the time this £1400 is paid, the next lot will be due. How will you pay that?

I know that you say you want to keep the van but can you really afford it?

wrote:

Seemed incredibly heavy handed given my circumstances....

Do they know your circumstances?

bargainbetty

Headancer wrote: »

Site fees are paid 6 months in advance.The latest 6 month fees of £1400 were due Oct 31st.

I sent am email offering to pay £300 and DD of £150 over 6 months with additional higher amounts when poss. (This only comes to £1200)

Seemed incredibly heavy handed given my circumstances....

You haven't offered an arrangement to pay the fees in full. Check your terms and conditions with regard to late payment fees, as many contracts do have such a penalty included to cover the administrative costs of additional chasing, letters, admin, etc, plus to discourage people from being late.

With all due respect, they are a business, and you are under contract. You wouldn't expect to go into Tesco, load up a trolley and tell them you'll settle up over the next month, albeit 15% short, because your daughter has learning difficulties and you work for the NHS.

Write an email explaining that you cannot call during work hours, and ask about a payment plan again, with an 'oops, silly me, I got my sums wrong there' note, which might help, and ask for the details of the clause allowing them to apply late fees and ask if they would let you off this once because you've never been late before etc (assuming you haven't).

I wish you luck, but please don't fall into the trap of expecting them to treat you as anything other than a contract holder. They don't care about your circumstances, they just want the money!