outstanding payment - where do I stand ?

ccdean100

I am a freelance researcher and earlier in the year rented a desk in the UK. I have since moved away (abroad - where my business is now based) and cancelled the agreement before moving.

The company I rented from gave me instructions to set up monthly direct debit payments which I followed. It was via a payment system called "gocardless".

When I was leaving, I had an email from their accounts team telling me they had received no payments over the period. I checked and they were right. Their accounts team informed me that I had followed instructions correctly, but that there had been a mistake on their part meaning they had forgotten to take the monthly payments.

They have now sent me a bill for nearly £ 800, and I am wondering where I stand given it was their mistake. If the mistake was theirs, can they take action ?

I budgeted for the cost of the desk during the period I was using it, but certainly cannot stump up £ 800 out of nowhere. Setting up in a new country is expensive as it is !

Any advice welcome, particularly with regards to whether doing nothing will result in my credit rating being affected which I just recently managed to get back on track.

Thanks for reading.

Placitasgirl

So if as you say you had budgeted for the cost of the desk during the period you were using it, how come you didn't realise that you had £800 more than your budget for the period said you had?

Surely simple account maintenance and bookkeeping should have highlighted the fact you hadn't made any payments?

ccdean100

Placitasgirl wrote: »

So if as you say you had budgeted for the cost of the desk during the period you were using it, how come you didn't realise that you had £800 more than your budget for the period said you had?

Surely simple account maintenance and bookkeeping should have highlighted the fact you hadn't made any payments?

I was abroad a lot of the time setting up a new business - using a different set of accounts - and did not keep close track of my UK debits over the period until returning.

[Deleted User]

The debt is valid. If you can't afford it in one go, arrange a payment plan.

pappa_golf

howc long do you intend being out of the UK for ?

ccdean100

pappa_golf wrote: »

howc long do you intend being out of the UK for ?

At least a year, possibly permanently. My business is registered overseas and I'm planning for permanent residency eventually.

stevenhp1987

You owe the money.

There is no "get out of jail free card" for this, as it seems you are asking.

They were at fault for not billing you, yes. But they legally have 6 years to ask for the money.

If you cannot afford it in one go, offer a repayment plan and see what they say. They are more likely to accept a reasonable plan than to go through the hassle of taking you to court etc.