Form letter to dispute debt?

clobber_2

Hi people,

Not sure if this is the right forum but I'm sure one of you guys will point me in the right direction if it isn't. Thanks in advance.

I got a rather alarming letter from a HA yesterday. It's dated 27/5/2008 and tells me that I owe them £500, if I don't pay within seven days they will take further action to recover the debt etc.

The situation is a bit complicated in that I was living in a flat owned by said HA last year from Feb-Aug. I am employed by the NHS on a rotating appointment; one of the T&Cs is that one is entitled to either accomodation or petrol expenses when working a distance from your base hospital. This one was a hell of a long way away, so I stayed in hospital accomodation, which had been taken over by the HA, with the rent paid by the hospital.

The HA actually built new flats and moved us 2/3 of the way through the stay, and were during all this time seemingly unable to find their bums with both hands and a map.

I have absolutely no idea what this bill is for, and anyway any rent due should have been paid for by the hospital.

In normal situations I would just ring them up and tell them to stop being so daft, but at the moment my mind is on credit ratings and mortgages, so I want to do it properly.

Is there a recommended format for a stiff letter I can fax to them on monday, so as to put the brakes on while I sort out who exactly owes them what and what for?

bank_of_slate

Hi,
Can't offer anything constructive, stay on the forum or keep checking back because there will be many regulars who can offer lots of great advice for you.
It may also be worth checking on the renting thread to see if anyone is in or has been in a similar situation!
...Linda xx

Leixlip1

I don't think there's a set letter for such a circumstance. Why don't you just write stating that you dispute the debt and ask for details about it? By putting it in dispute this should halt any further action. If you've moved maybe the rent payments have gone to the old account? You need to query/ask.
I have worked for a local authority housing dept taking rent arrears cases to court and would not be taking court action on what you have described if there was a dispute to be resolved - in any case a Notice of Seeking Possession would have to be served first and that looks a way off.
Hope this helps.

clobber_2

Ok, will just tell them that.

I am not in arrears, I was never responsible for the rent, and I don't live there now! I have no idea why they want money from me.

bank_of_slate

Well it's up to them to prove that you do, don't pay them a penny in the meantime and if they can't then tough on them!
keep us informed
...Linda xx