Update and Conclusion Have received a response from Mike Brown: It seems clear to me that your wife was not trying to avoid paying for her journey so I have arranged for her penalty fare to be cancelled on this occasion Many thanks for your support and advice.

Agree, Good advice, will bite the bullet and prepare for a long and tedious fight for some justice and money back.

Many thanks Rebel. Will get if off first thing tomorrow.

Hi All, Been sometime since last here. Is there anything I can do?. Utterly sick of the aggressive extortion in London by TFL, Highways and Traffic Wardens. My wife was staying at my daughters in Hampstead and travelling to Richmond. On 11 April at Hampstead none of the barriers were working, no staff at the ticket office and no staff available to assist. A couple of stops into her journey a couple of inspectors got on. She handed her Oyster Card to one when asked and he confirmed she had credit but that her journey had not registered. She explained it was due to the barriers not working. What ensued made her feel intimidated, threatened and anxious as the inspector was in her personal space repeatedly asking her to pay a £40 penalty. This continued until she reached Richmond even after passengers had disembarked. Other passengers could see what was happening and came to her assistance but the inspector could barely speak English and became rude and abrupt. She spoke to an employee on the station at Richmond who told her not to worry, appeal and let her through. Having called me at the time I could tell she was upset and anxious and she subsequently mislaid the paperwork. On 22 May she received a reminder for a sum of £110.00 as she had not appealed within 21 days. She wrote explaining the circumstances but they have replied there 'are no mitigating circumstances and the right to appeal has been forfeited' She has been given 14 days to pay. This feels like blatant extortion. The inspector had the wherewithal to check her Oyster Card and address details but not to call Hampstead station to check her story or even debit her Oyster Card for her journey.

Thanks to all for advice......... Have written the cheque through clenched teeth..... Have a great Xmas and New Year:-)

Adjudicator's Decision. The appeal was refused on the following grounds: 1. The Appellant admits parking as alleged. The Appellant had displayed a permit in the vehicle but inadvertently failed to scratch out the day on the permit. 2. The Appellant has explained that is currently suffering financial hardship. The Authority has agrred to exercise its discretion and accept the discounted penalty from the Appellant in the event the appeal is refused. 3. The Authority has produced a copy of the PCN the civil officers contemporaneous notes and photographs in support of the alleged contravention. 4. On the evidence before me it is clear the contravention occurred and so I must refuse the appeal. I am able to apply for a review under para 12 of the Schedule to the Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions within 14 days of the decision. These permits are prepaid, so not only has the council had the money but are able to extract an unreasonable further sum for a simple error. Should I just pay up and put it down to experience ?

Wino, Thanks, good idea will follow the link. Michael, The code is 19R ? whatever that means. Thanks for your support.

Hi Everyone, Just like to say what a Great Site which I have not visited for sometime, hence have had to re-register having mislaid my sign in details. I am very frustrated and at this money making [problem] and appreciate your collective wisdom as I am not in a position to pay. I was leading a sponsored walk on Hampstead Heath for a dog charity on Sat 24th July and have sent the following appeal which has been denied twice, once online and again after 'Notice to Owner' was received. I am now at the 'Notice of Appeal' stage. I had displayed a Visitors’ Permit , serial No: 388738 on the near side dash board in compliance with regulations. I had made an honest mistake of failing to scratch out the day tab on the permit, one of five panels. I feel it reasonable that the council uses its discretion to waive the penalty as it is clear there was no intent to deliberately avoid compliance. These permits are prepaid so Camden Council has had the money.

If I have understood correctly, you asked BG to fix a pull cord fault which they have declined due to finding an earthing fault behind a kitchen appliance? And I'm assuming your BG insurance covers electrical faults. Does not sound reasonable to me. In the first instance you need to give BG the opportunity to fix the fault before calling in an electrician from outside. Write to complain that the earthing fault, whilst having been identified has nothing to do with the fault you had called them out to fix and would like to give them the opportunity to rectify before having the work completed by an outside contractor. In addition include copies of the wiring tests / documentation you have had carried out at the property over the last few years. This will show the court (if it gets to that stage) that you are a responsible Landlord. The use of the word 'reasonable' in your letter, in my experience is important, as The Small Claims procedure is based on reasonableness. If this does not do the trick get back to me. P.S. Advice is given without liability and is based on my experience in the Small Claims Court only.

Had a couple of these useless contracts with BG. Failed to show for inspection, which was overdue and then got attitude from a girl on the phone. What capped it and forced me to litigation was when the engineer carried out service and placed an 'At Risk' sticker on the boiler. Had it independantly tested, and surprise, surprise it passed !!!! (2006) and has just passed again (Sept 08) Issued SC proceedings for refund of years payments (due breach of contract) plus independant test costs + interest. Received call from head of 'Customer Service' (Laugh) to advise will settle. However wanted me to sign a Tomlin Order which I declined. To all the legal eagles out there..... What are my options? In my mind this is fraud.

Mine are read at least twice a year and if I'm out when they call, I either fill in the card and post or update my readings via their website.

I was caught out on the SCORN [problem] and ended up paying £25.00, but unlike you I did not realise I had to send in a bit of paper. I'm sorry I have no advice I can give you other than ensuring you send anything to the DVLA recorded delivery. The DVLA are very aggressive and quick to fine the average 'Jo Blow' ...helps keep them all in a job....and meet targets I suspect...but do virtualy nothing about the 2 million + cars on the road that are not insured, taxed or MOT'd and therefore as they are illegal, not on their computers....... which is why millions of honest hard working, tax paying individuals have now got 3 points and £60 fines for being caught doing a couple of miles an hour over the speed limit. My advice...if you can't beat em join em..... Don't buy tax, insurance or bother to MOT your vehicle because if they dont have you on the computer they cant fine you.

Hi Christine..... Just some moral support if you have not yet resolved your problem with BG. The advice from buzby & progenic is absolutley spot on and could not think of anything further to add. I had already successfully taken BG to court last summer, before I became a member...my story was in The Sunday Times Money section this week. However if there are any specific questions on the court process I can help you with please drop me a line. Kind regards DampProof

Looks like you folks have been getting it cheap... Depends where in the county you live as to how much you pay for water, but certainly saving approximately 50% since the meter has been installed. How about £616 :o a year on 2005-06 rates..... prior to installation.. 2 adult household only.

Many Thanks