Nursery Fee 38% increase

A_Star

We were warned back in October that fees would increase from January, however we weren't told how much. On 1st December we were given a generic letter outlining the new fee structure, on Monday I got (after requesting it) an actual quote for what our fees would be. They have increased by 38%.

Our contract it says we have to give them a calendar months notice of leaving. By the time we got the letter it was too late to give a months notice. The letter could have been issued up to 7 days earlier as we only attend once a week so didn't get it until the 1st.

Is there some way that we can argue a lack of notice or unreasonable increases in order to leave at the end of the month and refuse to pay January's fees?

Alternatively am I able to reject the increase for January therefor only paying the current rate and leaving at the end of January.

I expect when I contact the HO they will insist we can't leave and have to pay so I'm just trying to find out whether I have a leg to stand on!

Thanks in advance.

P.S. please let me know if I've posted in the wrong section, I wasn't sure where was best.

paddyrg

I'd suggest talking to them. It's a material change to your agreement and I'd doubt it could be legally enforced to hooks you hostage to any charge with no ability to consider if you wished to continue the relationship. After all, if the fees went up from £5 to £5000/day and they told you the day before, with Minimum 1 year rolling contract, it would clearly be absurd. This is just a minor variation of it, and for the few quid difference I'd be surprised if they didn't write off the pro-rated discrepancy in order to keep a customer.

arcon5

Does the contract state how much notice they must give before increasing prices? If so, then i'd say they only notified you recently as such the notice period starts then.