Hi I have a 40" Samsung TV which has developed a fault (black flickering lines across bottom half of the screen) and as it's out of warranty but less than 6 years old, I intend to claim through the sales of goods act. Argos have told me I need to get an independent fault report done at my own arrangement, which I'm ok about, but what I need to know is, if the TV is found to have a manufacturing fault so making Argos responsible to repair or replace it, will they have to reimburse the cost of the report to me, as it's £54 which I could well do without spending with Christmas round the corner? Thanks for any advice Lisa

I hope someone can offer some advice on what I might be up against in regards to damage caused to my car when it went in for repairs after a minor bump I had in it. When the car was collected a week ago it was thoroughly checked over for any damage other than the bumper and headlight that it was going in for repairs to. The only things found were the usual minor scratches and stonechips found on a 10 year old car. I received it back today and inspected the repairs and was happy with it, I didn't take too much notice of anything else as the kids were at home causing havoc so I signed the courtesy car back over and the man went on his way. A few hours later I was putting the kids in the car when I noticed on the backend of the roof a large patch of pealing polish measuring about 10" by 6" and two what look like burnt/melted deep scratches about 2" long on the top of the back passenger door and one on the top of the boot hatch. It looks like something hot has been put on top of the car or some kind of chemical spilt on it. I called the repairers up and they just said "oh I can't see how we could have done that" but said I could bring to to them so they can take a look. I know 100% they are responsible for this damage and I'm bloody furious as it looks terrible, what I'm worried about is if they try to deny it and where I stand legally if they do. This work was carried out by my insurers approved repairers, so are the insurance company responsible too? Any advice much appreciated as I'm taking it to them in the morning and want to be armed with some facts just in case! Thanks Lisa

Hi We were due to go on holiday on 7th September to Devon cliffs for a week but due to unforeseen circumstances it looks like we we won't be able to go. We booked and paid for the caravan through Newman holidays and realise that we won't be able to get our money back, so was wondering where we stand if we were to sell the holiday to someone else? Whenever I've been away to these kind of places before all they ever want to see is the booking confirmation so anyone could be staying in the caravans. Any advice appreciated Lisa

Also can they take my car seeing as I'm a carer for my Autistic boys and need it for that capacity?

Thanks for you help. BTW do County Court Bailiffs have more power than private sector Bailiffs?

How do I do that, they never send any info advising you can do this, they just assume we can afford the amounts they set! I'm a carer for my 2 Autistic sons so money is tight, will this go in my favour to suspend the warrant?

The Judgement order stated that I have to pay £150 a month, which I can't afford, I did contact them to state this. I haven't as of yet made any payments as the amount set was too high and I've heard nothing from the court except the Bailiff coming round. Should I be hiding my car and can they keep coming round indefinitely?

Hi Hope someone can give some advise. I have an outstanding CCJ for a credit card debt and so far have just ignored the previous 2 notices posted through my door by the Bailiff. They must have come again the other day when I was out and posted a final notice warning, with the threat to return with a van to remove goods or my car if I don't pay the outstanding balance by 18th June. Now I know they have no power of entry into my home but I'm concerned about my car. It's only an old (T reg) Espace, but with three kids it's vital that I have it. The amount they're after is £172 and the car is probably only worth £500 at the most (a lot less if it fails it's MOT next week!) Another thing I'm confused about is the amount they want me to pay. The overall amount owing to Capital One is £1400 yet their notices have been for £172? I thought Bailiffs always wanted the whole amount not instalments? Any help appreciated Thanks Lisa

The debt was inflated with about £250 worth of fees, which is the main reason I got into a dispute with Capital One and refused to pay anything until they removed the fees. The CCJ was set in January this year and the on the card the Bailiff had stated it was a warrant of execution. The amount she was after, wasn't for the full amount, it was for the first two instalments that I haven't paid plus her fees - £127.

Thanks for your replies. The CCJ is for a Credit Card debt, which I didn't bother defending. The Bailiff is from Equita, I didn't speak to her as I was out, she left a card with my Husband. I don't intend to pay any Bailiff a single penny and when she does come back I'll tell her to go away immediately and that I know just how powerless Bailiffs are when it comes to seizing goods, demanding money etc. The only thing I'm not clear on is the amount of times they can visit your home, I remember something about Council Tax debts can only have two visits, just wondered if this kind of debt is the same? Also could I still go directly to Capital One and set up a repayment plan with them still? Thanks Lisa

Hi I know Bailiffs are limited to how many times that can call for certain types of debt, I was just wondering if there's a limit for calling to collect a CCJ for a Credit card debt? I've already had one visit, so would like to know where I stand if they keep coming back? Thanks Lisa

Thank you very much, I will get the letter sent to them on Monday, be interesting to see what their reply will be.

I take it this isn't unusual then?

Thank you very much, that would be great if you could draft a letter. Surely they must have broken some kind of law lying about a payment?

HI I kept getting letters from Lowell Portfolio regarding a very old debt I had with HSBC, which I worked out to be at least 8 years old. I got fed up with receiving them, so used the Statute Barred template letter from CAG Forums stating that the debt was at least 8 years old with no acknowledgement or payment from me during that time and sent it to them a couple of weeks ago. I received a letter from them today where they are claiming I made a payment of 50p towards the debt on 2nd August 2007, which is utter rubbish, I would never bother paying such a pointless amount and have never had any agreement set up for anyone to debit me for that amount. Are they just trying it on to trick me in to contacting them? Should I contact them and demand they show me proof of making any payment and by what means was it made or would that then class me as acknowledging the debt? I feel fairly riled by their blatant lies and want to contact them to give them a piece of my mind, but thought I would get some advice first. Thanks Lisa

Yes the plumber is Gas Safe Registered. He's a decent gut and doesn't really have much time for the landlord, especially since the land lord let the previous gas safe certificate expire by 10 months and it was only my insistence that the old boiler wan't burning right that he got the plumber to inspect it, which led to it being condemned and a new one fitted. I know I could have got my LL in a lot of trouble over the expired safety certificate and feel that he owes it to us to at least change faulty gas appliances when there's obvious faults, considering the risks he put us at before. I checked out the link you gave and it's not overly clear whether the hob is classed unsafe, but surely a gas burner that goes out during use isn't safe? If I've got big pans simmering it isn't always obvious until I smell gas that something has gone out.

Hi The gas safety check is being dome on my home next week and I'm wondering at what point a gas hob has to be deemed unsafe for it to fail? The one I have is ancient and along with a broken ignition, if I have more than two burners on and turn the heat down on one, that burner will cut out altogether but still be emitting gas into the air. My landlord is well aware of this and I've stressed to him the dangers I feel it is causing my kids, but nothing has been done about it. Now I'm pretty sure I pointed this fault out to the plumber (who does a lot of work for my landlord on his various properties) when he did the check last year, and he said that as long as it lights and isn't leaking gas when the knobs are off, it's safe.. Surely this can't be so? I've also read somewhere that if an ignition is fitted but doesn't work it's an unsafe appliance? Any advice much appreciated as I'm at the end of my tether over the state of the kitchen (another whole post in it's self) and the hob is really the final straw! Thanks Lisa

I'm pretty sure it's not a problem caused through fat and debris as I have strainers on the plugholes to catch waste and I've poured gallons of boiling water straight down the external drain with caustic soda and it backs up straight away as if something solid is blocking it. I don't have any drainage issues with the internal pipes. Just a thought, we had the cavity wall insulation done last week and it's been since then that it's got bad, they made a real mess leaving loads of debris over the garden, mainly bits of insulation, but in all fairness it had snowed that day so it was hard to see. Maybe that's what's blocking the drain, responsibilities for which would lie with the insulation company, but how to prove?

Hi The external drain which deals with waste from the kitchen is totally blocked and flooding our front garden. My husband attempted to clear it by putting rods down but cannot open to cover as a key is needed. The Landlord doesn't have anything to open it and informed us that as he's away on business we'll have to sort this ourselves! I'm far from happy about this as I don't believe it to be our responsibility as it's an external drain plus we cannot afford to get anyone out to clear it for us. It is really badly blocked, any water going down the sink or from the washing machine is flooding straight onto the path and quite frankly I'm sick of my kids having to wade through it everyday dragging all sorts of mess into the house with them. We live in a detached house and the drain isn't shared with anyone else. Any advice appreciated Lisa

It's ok I've sorted it now

Hi All Our Tenancy agreement is up for renewal today and other than an email I received from my landlord a month ago asking if we want to renew, I've not heard anything since! I've tried calling his wifes mobile (the only contact number we've got) but it goes straight to voicemail plus I've sent emails asking when he's bringing it round to sign, but as of yet no ones got back to me. The rent is due to be paid today so should I pay it and carry on as if normal? I'm a bit edgy about all this as we have 3 young children, 2 of which are Autistic, plus we had our long term home repossessed 18 months ago, so I really want to feel settled if you know what I mean? I'm thinking maybe they've gone away on holiday, but surely they should leave a number to get hold of them in case of an emergency? Any advice much appreciated Thanks Lisa

Completely confused, I'm trying to post a new thread but it won't let me saying the number of tags exceeds by 2? What does this mean please Lisa

Thank you so much for your help! My husband basically copy and pasted your last post into an email and today they've got back saying they've processed the payment under code OTM1 Looks like they needed your advice to know what to do! Thanks again Lisa

That's what he pointed out to them but they still came back with this! He's emailed them again stating they should have all the relevant details regarding his tax code etc it's just getting really frustrating now and feel they are just going out their way to be awkward Is their anyone who he can officially complain to about their conduct in handling this refund bearing in mind he no longer works for them? Thanks

Hi Got the following email back from payroll today after having sent them advice regarding CWG 2 - Hi Yes this is correct, we must not issue another P45, if payments are made after leaving as your payslip will reflect the Tax and NI paid. We would then have to tax you on OTM1 code which means you would not be entitled to any tax allowance However we are intending to rework your last payslip and cancel your P45 and reissue an amended P45 and payslip, therefore we will be able to use your tax allowance when calculating the underpayment. This will be financially better for you. Please confirm which method you would prefer us to use. If it is the latter then we will need parts 3 and 4 of your P45 returned to us. Regards Surely they know his tax allowance from the payslip and part 1 of his P45 that was returned to them? Are they just messing him around or does what they say make sense? Thanks for any help Lisa