Help with debt collection letter.

dasachmo

Hi guys.
This is my first post about debts... Please be gentle!
I'm not sure if this is the right section so apologies if it isn't... I'm just really worried.. I've never had debts or letters like this so slightly shook up.
The background to my case is that I bought a leasehold flat in March.
The service charges and buildings insurance were managed by the same company.
I set up a direct debit to pay these but on Friday I received a letter from a solicitor saying that the developer has tried to contact me on multiple attempts and I'm in arrears for the past two months of insurance.
Apparently what has happened is the direct debit was set up and only covered the service charge... Not the buildings insurance. (the first few months were included in the purchase)
I'm really worried because the amount I owed was £ 120, but the solicitors admin fees are 180 on top!
I logged into the management companies online site, it shows a direct debit set up but it hasn't taken the insurance charges.
As for the reminder letters.. I didn't ignore them!
I've also seen correspondence (for the first time today... The read time is logged on the site) as a full and final warning and today is the first time I'm seeing it! If I had known I would have made payment immediately and I understand I should have probably investigated it further but I just want to know if there's anyway of avoiding you that incredibly large admin fee which Is more the debt!
Please help.
I kind of feel if I had the warning and knew the direct debit was set up incompletely I would have paid.

sourcrates

Hi,

Simply ring the company concerned in the morning, and explain the situation about the DD.
The fees sound a bit extortionate to me, but then that's what you would expect from a typical solicitor isn't it.

I would stick to my guns, say it was a genuine error, and you will pay what's owed for the insurance, but you will not pay the fees, as you believe them to be disproportionate to the actual debt, after all, all they have done is write you a letter, that is probebley about £10 a word.

dasachmo

Thanks for the advice!
I'm really stressed about it!
Isn't there a rule that I have to have been given the full and final warning?
I appreciate I had been on their site but it logs as read by me today and the solicitor letter came on the 13th. They've given me a week to pay (by the 20th) otherwise they will take it to court!

Marktheshark

Inform the solicitors you have no contract with them and will not be paying their clients fees or accepting an offer to contract them for services.
Ask them in what capacity they are acting, solicitors or debt collectors so you can complain to their overseeing body about harassment

If the solicitors can write to you why has the management firm not done so first.

dasachmo

Yes. I think it says solicitors
I've just checked the numbers and it's 162.41 for the debt.
165 in administration charges. 118.25 in legal costs!
They've literally only sent me a letter.

Marktheshark

I would pay the client directly and Ignore the solicitor.
You have no contract with them, you did not employ them and they can not charge you for services you have not contracted.