Hi all I have received a claim form (its a photocopy and looks different) I cannot use MCOL as there is no user name or password. There is a sticker placed over the top left hand corner with a number on but thats all. The history is I had to leave work as I was a whistleblower and my life in the company was being made very difficult, i also found out I was pregnant and left to reduce the stress I was under. My immediate manager was very supportive but unfortunately is was not enough. I had no idea I would have to pay an early termination fee and feel really wronged. I also feel to issue a court claim is really aggressive action. I never worked again since leaving there so was unemployed. I also leased the car from a lease company but the claim has come from the company I worked for? Any advice or support you can give will be greatly appreciated. The particulars of claim are as follows:- The claimant's claim against the defendant is in respect of outstanding lease car rental and early termination fee by the claimant to the defendant at the defendant's request, payment for which is now required. Full details of the invites have been previously supplied to the defendant. The claimant has complied with Sections III and IV of the Practice Direction on Pre-Action conduct. The claimant therefore claims the sum of £3k demand for payment has been made however the stated sum remains due and owing. The claimant further claims statutory interest pursuant to S69A of the CCA 1984 at the rate of 8% per annum from the date the invoice became due to the date hereof being ££28.44 and continuing interest at the stated rate at a daily rate of £0.68 up until the date of payment or judgement whichever is the sooner.

I have an issue with Vodafone, they have sent me a letter saying i owe £401 as my contract was cancelled, the contract was cancelled because they did not set up the direct debit, I have paid them £245.21 since march 14 asked on their "chat" if i could make a plan to repay the rest @£61.83 per mth for 6 months told "phone collections" I do not want to converse with people on the phone and felt harrased by the way the chat rep was refusing to give me any other option of contact, they have threatened me with collectors and a further £100 charges to cover this, why cant a company of their size make a decision to accept or refuse my offer without all this harrasment and stress?

My wife and I are renting and we've had several instances of anti-social behaviour in the immediate area recently. Last week a car was set on fire right outside our house and last night 2 more were burnt about a 50 yards away. I thought the first might have been an accident but with the other 2 going up I'm guessing it's deliberate. We've also had a couple of letters from the police asking for reports of anti-social behaviour in the street and to attend a local meeting about the problems where we could voice any problems so it is a known trouble spot to the council and police. Our tenancy runs out at the end of February but I'd like to know if these incidents could be grounds for ending the tenancy early? Also the landlord hasn't given us any information about the deposit protection scheme or even if he's using one. Could we use this to end the tenancy?

I am not sure if this is the correct place on this site for queries about the State Pension but could see no mention of pensions anywhere so someone might point me to another section. This is a little complicated but here goes. I was on ESA back in 2010, got put in support group for 6 months (letter appeared 2 weeks before my appeal hearing) but then 4 months later I had to start the process again with another E50 (?) form to fill in and new ATOS medical. Of course I failed the medical and lodged an appeal immediately in I think June of 2011 - it took some time to get the ATOS appoinment. My appeal took even longer, although then you still received the basic ESA of around £70 per week while awaiting appeal. I believe now this is not the case and you have to go on JSA until the appeal is heard, something I could not cope with. I finally got the appeal hearing in October 2012 which I failed and my benefit was immediately stopped. Due to my health issues (mental health) I find it impossible to face going into the Job Centre to register for JSA. I had to give up my flat and stay with various friends around the country. In 2013 I managed with some difficulty to find work, through an agency which was very irregular, only 4 shifts in two months, while I was staying with a friend. I then found a permanent position but only lasted 8 weeks as it was more than I could cope with. Faced with the prospect of not having any income until my state pension in 2020 (I am one of the unlucky ones who has to wait until I am 66) I took my modest savings (under the limit for claiming benefits) and came to live in Turkey, where I can manage on just £30 per week for everything! However I am not sure my savings are going to last another 6 years, even here prices go up. what are the criteria for receiving the state pension early (although technically not early as all my working life I thought I would be claiming it this week when I turn 60!) on health grounds? I know if you are terminally ill you can get it sooner but how do they class terminal illness? My condition is permanent and although I have repeatedly tried to work during the past it does not last long before I am again unable to do so. I cannot cope with going into the Job Centre to answer their questions and fill in their forms. I am not comfortable around people which is why I cannot last long in jobs. I know this sounds like a feeble excuse but I can assure you it is a very real problem. Receiving my pension early would relieve all the stress of having to come back to the UK and try to sign on for JSA or try (and fail again) to claim ESA and then try to find a flat and live on £71 per week, which as everyone knows is incredibly difficult. Is there anyone on here that can point me in the direction of who to contact for answers to this question? Many thanks for reading.

A few queries on this but for now: The claimant was in receipt of a 2012/13 Indefinite award and they have a carer Letter dated 25th June from DPW inviting the claimant of DLA to now apply for PiP and giving them 4 Weeks to make the claim. The letter states if they start the claim by 23rd July the DLA will continue until such time as the decision on the Pip Claim is made.? So/ Q1: Is this the actual claim inclusive of all the form filling or is for the initial 'calling them to apply for the form to make the claim? --- The claimant is physically disabled and had a mental disorder, they're under a consultant psychiatrist, have been for some time. On the PIP Assessment Guide Updated 27th May 2014 It is recognised in PIP that claimants who have a mental health or behavioural condition, learning difficulty, developmental disorder or memory problems may not comply fully with the claims process due to a lack of mental capacity or insight – for example, not understanding or caring about the consequences of not returning a claim form. In PIP, these claimants are stated as having “additional support needs”. Elements of the PIP claims process have been adapted to provide further support for this group. It is already apparent that the claimant when they were advised that a form has come through for them to fill out...they're not going to do it, they for one reason or another feel they're being persecuted/singled out and being spied on by the state...in other words they most certainly do have a behavioural condtion and now it's coming to the fore since the application dropped on their mate....Apart from the worry that is causing those associated with the claimant (immediate family) there is the added pressure on the carer to try and fill in the form on their behalf. So Normally if a claimant for the PiP does not fill the form in within the prescribed limit (see Q1 as to how long that may be) the payments they're already receiving (DLA ) will ordinarily cease pending pending a claim being made and being successful?....however, there is a provision for a person with a mental disorder to forego the original claim filling and instead the dwp will either request a face to face or carry on with a paper filled claim.. Q2/ The question is, if the claimant doesn't send in or reply to the original invite for them to make a claim....will they lose their money whilst the claim is being assessed ? Is the claimants carer expected to fill in and send? or will the claim continue to be paid whilst the dwp do their own checks/requests for additonal information Many claimants with mental, intellectual or cognitive impairments will have no problems returning the questionnaire. Others will have support from a family member, carer, Community Psychiatric Nurse or other person who will usually ensure that the questionnaire is returned. However, this will not always be the case and this process ensures that such claimants are not unfairly penalised because of the impact of their impairment. q3/ How does one find out if the claimant is seen by the DWP as requiring additional support needs?

I will keep it brief. I bought a house at auction, in the auction it stated that exchange of contracts must be with-in 14 days. On the day I instructed a solicitor to carry ok the conservancy work and ask then if they could complete with-in 7 days which they said there would be a fee of £150 for early completion. The company also dealt with the seller but from a different office. Right long and short of it all. It took nearly four weeks to exchange contracts and further more they asked where did I want the keys to be sent, I asked to pick them up from there offices which were 50 miles away. I went down to pick them up 6 days later and they informed me that they had not got the keys that the seller still had them. So I had spent money on fuel and to change the locks. Do I claim for the £150 plus loss of travel and change of locks from the company or seller?

I've had a motorbike insurance policy for less than six months, which I paid in full up-front. I've now sold the motorbike, which I'm not replacing, so rang to cancel the insurance. I was hoping for a small refund, but I've been told I need to pay AN ADDITIONAL £15 to cancel the policy (over and above the annual premium I've already paid). Regardless of how this is calculated (and whatever the small print says), this is just madness. If they said "OK, we've cancelled the policy, but you don't get a refund", I'd be disappointed. But to be told I have to pay them extra after using less than 6 months of the policy, means I've vowed never to use Hastings again for any bike or car insurance.

Hi We were will with Sky Fibre Broadband for a year. Throughout the course of the year we experienced problem after problem with the speed. We have rung up Sky on numerous occassions to complain. In Jan 14 they offered us deal on the broadband which meant a recontract (12 month term) which we did. We continued to experience problems with the speed. We had a conversation with a lady from sky tech team in March and she arranged for a new modem router to be sent and she said clearly that if it does not sort out the problem we can come out of the contract. Last week I signed up to Virgin and cancelled my sky. Sky said there would be an early termination fee on the broadband. I tried to explain to them that we were told that if the speed does not improve from the new modem we can come out of the contract. I told their cancellations team to review the taped conversation with lady from there tech team. They then transferred me to the tech team and I agreed for them to send an engineer out to check the broadband. The engineer came out the day before virgin were going to install. The engineer advised me that the original installation was not done correctly hence the drop in speed. I told him to put it in his report. Sky are still trying to trying to charge an early termination fee. Surely they can't do this as they never provided the service I paid for. Can anyone please advise me what to do. Thanks

I set up a standing order to pay someone £120 every 28th of the month. In January, they took out the money on 24th of the month instead, after getting charged for being overdrawn and calling them twice, they told me I had set up the standing order for the last friday of the month, and not the 28th of every month. The last Friday of January was 31st!, I told them this and they put me on hold, and then came back and avoided answering it. I told them I had my online banking on the screen and I can see it is set for the 28th, yet they just "good will" refunded, and asured me it wouldn't happen again.... Well it happened again, today, (25th), I'm overdrawn by £80 thus will get charged for it again. I don't wish to spend another 40 minutes of my mobile minutes calling them again, how should I go about reclaiming the charge, and my costs for all of this (an hour was spent on the phone last time this happened).

Hi Hope someone can advise I've got a fixed rate mortgage with Nothern Rock/Virgin Money. It's due to finish on 31st October. I would like to repay it early (Selling house in July) however there is an early repayment clause. This is where it gets annoying Mortgage payments for July - Oct = £2000'ish Early repayment charge is £4000'ish I'm really not happy about paying twice the actual mortgage payment to get out of the deal, can anyone advise if it's worth pursuing this with them, or just accept I signed the agreement and live with it. PS not buying another house, so can't port it. Thanks

just seen this on bbc news does this mean all medicals carried out are void I have got my tribunal hearing tomorrow could I say anything about this to the panel as I have waited a year for my hearing

Hi All, Really really need your help on this one as i am in an IVA with Payplan which started in December 2012. My total loans came up to £8,351 and Payplan calculated that i can pay 64.48p in the pound which worked out to be £5,361.84. With my income and expenditure, my payments had been set at £116.81 which was perfect, however i had a massive increase in pay due to a promotion and Payplan increase my payment to £231.89 a month. I have been in contact with Payplan to find out what my end date will be and they said that my plan is for 5 years, however i worked out that i would be paying them more than my original debt including interest, 3 out of the 5 creditors where interest free loans! They even said that as soon as i have paid Payplan the amount required they will end my IVA, however i have tried to call and email them and not getting any joy at all, when is this date? I am aware that fees are in place, however they are not being transparent and i have said i looked at the terms and conditions and agreement i have signed and have already been charged these fees (which was about £1.5K . . .makes me think why did i enter into an IVA). I did not know that i was heading for a promotion and wished i did not enter an IVA and dealt with my problems however the response i am getting from Payplan is lacking and need help!! Has anyone had this experience before? what was your solution in the end?? thanks all sean

My father in law took out a secured loan£20k loan at 14% interest. He has paid £16,000 to date and missed 5 installments due to loss of job. (no ppi was taken) He has since arranged to pay an additional £100 a month to cover the 5 month shortfall. When I contacted them for an early settlement figure they said it would be £29,000. This is £9000 more than the original loan and he has paid £16,000. TBH - I am no expert in maths or credit agreements but this seems extortionate and wanted to understand what the best way of dealing with this would be..

So I am new to this and have no idea on my rights or not.. I've tried reading lots of other threads, but it just confuses me more. I really hope someone can help shed some light on things, either good or bad. My girlfriend took a car out on a hire purchase agreement over 5 years. The car was for £6,995, and she will end up paying £17,200 (I know.. that hurts..). It ends in November this year.. and I just phoned up to try and end the agreement early, and pay the outstanding balance.. They have said the outstanding balance is £2,400 , and the early settlement figure is £2,350.. or something similar, so hardly saving a thing. She said this was because they remove the interest to decide the early settlement figure, and they 'front load' all their agreements so there was hardly any interest left. They must be laughing all the way to the bank on this one.. but is that really possible and legal for them to do? I was expecting to pay maybe £1,000 to pay it off.. or £1,500. But to save £50? Seems like a final kick in the teeth. Is there anything that can be done? Guess it's too late to return the car and cancel the agreement.. the car is probably only worth £2000 as it is. So frustrated.. are we doomed to pay this final £2,400 in full?

Hi, I'm new here and hoping I can find some help and advice. We have several debts (some in my husband's name but most unfortunately in mine). Some of which are over 10 years old. I've been maintaining payment arrangements with the several collections agencies dealing with them for very small amounts (between £5-£10 a month) for years now. Now I'm in the situation where I have recently separated from my husband mid Jan and am now a single parent, starting over at 40+. We are putting the house on the market but there will be very little equity left in the property once the mortgage (and arrears) are paid off and what small amount is left looks like it may be distributed min 60% to me 40% to my future ex. To move on properly and have a future for me and my son I want to wipe the slate clean of all the stupid money mistakes we have made while being together. So I need to approach all of the collections agencies to ask for early settlement figures. Debts are as follows: £2445 (ex overdraft in my name which was originally with HSBC/First Direct) now with Robinson Way this debt is 10+ years old £1,738 (unauthorised overdraft from an old Halifax account in my husband's name) also with Robinson Way This is from a couple of year's ago. £5,344.83 (A Halifax Loan in my name which was paid regularly til my husband's redundancy) this went into default and has been in the hands of Drydens Fairfax Solicitors £2868.38 (an old HP agreement with Chartered Trust for a car which went into default) this is 10+ years old now with Mackenzie Hall Since the split I have spoken with all of them to let them know my current circumstances and all have agreed to put the accounts on hold for 30 days until it was clearer what may be happening with my personal circumstances. That 30 days has now ran out and the calls have started happening to chase me up. I'm not wanting to avoid speaking with anyone but I don't want to set up repayment plans - I want to ask what the minimum amount is they'll accept to wipe the slate clean. I am going to contact Step Change for advice but saw lots of advice on the debt forums here and thought I'd join to ask if anyone could advise on what my next move should be. I am self employed, working less than 16 hours a week and am looking into what benefits help I can receive now I'm going to be a lone parent and am currently living with my parents with my son to give me some breathing space to save so I can rent a new home. We need to sell our house asap to release what equity we have. This will then hopefully clear our debts and leave a small amount to give us a degree a financial security for the short term future. Although I know these creditors will want their pound of flesh I need this to be the smallest amount possible because it'll directly impact on the amount of money my and my lad have for our new life. Thanks in advance for any help

We have an agreement for the rather unusual term of 7 months - it's a Fixed Tenancy Agreement with a letting agent. We moved in on 1st November 2013 and our bedroom window became very mouldy back in January. We weren't just putting up with mould, but also with "mushrooms" that were growing in between the outside single glazed window and the secondary glazing unit. The mushrooms would squeeze in through the secondary glazing and drop onto the window sill. We took pictures and emailed them to the agent stating it was a health & safety hazard and that both of us had had bad chests as a result of breathing in the spores during this time. It is now 13 March and whilst they've sent a couple of workmen over to evaluate it, work still hasn't begun. We dread every time it rains. We now wish to leave a month earlier than our agreement. The contract states the end of the agreement is 31 May 2014. Can we leave earlier on the grounds that the works still haven't started and the mould is still there? We don't wish to risk losing our rent paid in advance or our deposit of £1,150.

Hi I am not sure if this has been put up already, so worth a mention anyway Changes in bankruptcy discharge from the I/S site http://www.bis.gov.uk/insolvency/personal-insolvency/discharge#likelytobegivenearlydischarge Some good clear info below also from what in my opinion is a decent site on debt advice & information http://debtcamel.co.uk/early-discharge-from-bankruptcy-ended/ W

Hi ALL Just a quick one, i'm on a zero hour contract, hours set one week in advance, on the day of your actual shift if it is quiet, the mgrs are now forcing people to finish early, are we not contracted to that shift? are they allowed to force you home early, and the flip side in theory they can make you stay late as well, essentially they can do anything they want to do....is this right? any advice appreciated thanks guys! x

Has anyone any experience of payments being paid early thus leading to a default? My friend is facing repossession proceedings because RBS say she has not stuck to her arrangement. They are saying that she missed payments in June and September. However from the statement it is clear that she did not, she just paid them early and the statement clearly shows payments made on 30th May and 30th August, and thus shows two payments in both May and August, but no payments in June and September. But the arrears are where they are meant to be (in fact she is a little inside as she has genuinely made a few small overpayments from time to time) The mortgage has 13 years to run and the arrears are exactly £2,400, and the agreed payments are the regular payments plus £100 per month, so it should be cleared in two years. Is there any case law in relation to this? Thanks in advance

Hi, I cancelled my broadband on the 16th month of an 18th month contract. I was moving house and the ISP didn't operate in my new area. I was paying £39 a month for fibre, so therefore the remaining two months of my contract totaled £78. However the ISP tried to charge me £240 to disconnect. Surely they cannot charge you in excess of what the contract is actually worth? Am I correct in assuming that? Anyhow, I refused to pay this and they have passed the debt on to a collection agency. Does anyone know what my options are now? OFCOM, seems to indicate that they cant charge in excess of the contract value, but Im not sure its a rule thats applied by all ISP's Thanks in advance.

Hello, I had purchased a domain name from a well known provider on 10/10/2010 it was a year by year renewal and this year I had decided to not renew the domain. The renewal date was the 10/10/2013 and on the 01/10/2013 I received an email confirming a payment had been taken renewing the domain for a further year. At this point the domain was set to auto renew but I had planned to change this before the renewal date. I asked for a refund but the provider won't budge, their terms state they may take the payment up to 7 days before the renewal date and even though they admit they have taken the payment before this time they refuse to give me the funds back. After several emails discussing this point I noticed that the card stored on the account has actually expired and there was no other valid payment methods. When I raised this with them they said that although my first payment was a standard online card payment if the card expires they continue to take the money from the bank. I would like to know where I stand with this firstly on the early payment being taken, and secondly on the fact they have taken the payment against an expired card.

Hi all, I have had an extremely bad day. I got into Council tax arrears when my husband walked out on us ithought bills were being paid when they wasn't. long story short I set up an agreement with ross and Roberts to pay £58 by the 4th of every month. Me being stupid have always made a payment of £61.50 every month. 3 weeks before the 4th. I have never missed a payment with them. I always like to just pay my bills when the money is there so then I know they are paid and I do not have to worry. being a single mum I need to be organised and I thought I was doing ok. Anyway this morning a ross and Roberts ballief came knocking on my door demanding £160 to be paid today or they will take my stuff. he said a late payment was received. I argued this I knew I was up to date, checked my emails and theres the proof I paid it on the 6th of last month. iv been paying like this for 5 months I thought it was ok to make a payment any time between the 5th and the 4th before its due as long as it was paid before midnight 4th. I spoke and argued with the manager over the phone he Demanded £190 instead of the original £160 the ballief had slammed on me. Apparantly I cannot make a payment 3 weeks before the due date and apparently I signed a piece of paper stating that I understood this. When the ballief came back to collect the money he explained the part of the sgreement that has caught me out . "If an overpayment is received it will not be taken as payment in advance. " ok I get that, But I paid £61. 50 instead of £58. An overpayment of £2 if you take off the visa card charge they take from you. This was paid on the 6th of Aug which was due on the 4th sept. The £58 isn't an overpayment that's a payment. There is nothing in the agreement stating that I cannot pay this bill 3 weeks in advance. "if your payment is not received by the due date" doesn't this mean I can pay on any date in that month before the 4th as long as they get their payment by the 4th. anyway I have paid them the money I aint happy because I was doing so well with it making regular payments and yet still have bullies at my door. Its disgusting how they treat people how they change their charges to suit themselves how they can just demand you to get that sort of cash within hours or they will get your stuff. I wouldn't mind so much if it was a late payment or if I didn't pay but I did I have all records and reference numbers. I have always paid on the 6th of every month so I know it has been paid before the 4th of the following month. I thought I had between the 5th and the 4th to pay. Apparantly not.... payments have to be made between the 1st and 4th. I was never once told that and there is certainly nothing on the agreement that I signed that stated that. iv been doing it my way for month why now have they decided it aint right. Can they really justify their actions today. rant over .... please excuse the bad spelling.... bad day and im all worked up. Any one else had any problems with these pests or is it just me.

I have had a few mortgages over the past years and always re-mortgaged and paid early repayment charges. When I have SARred the mortgage companies recently (for charges, PPI et cetera) there has never been any mention of the early repayment charge, or, admin fees for early repayment. I am sure they added them. Should a SAR disclose this information? If not, how can I get this figure?

I have been an Orange Pay Monthly Customer, since June 2009. Prior to my initial contract reaching its end, I had the option of taking out a new contract with Orange - 3 months earlier than official end date. Seemed a good incentive to get customers to renew their Contract with them. Nice bit of Marketing! So on the 20 August 2011, I entered into a new 24 month contract/plan with Orange, selected my new shiny phone - negotiated call plan /minutes bundle etc. Signed on the dotted ...........and headed home! I had been reluctant to renew on a 24 month contract, as it is a long time to be tied into a contract and a phone which seems so dated by the end of the term. Anyway, New Contract dated 20 August 2011 - I estimated the end of that contract being same date in 2013. I had been puzzled by the fact that my online Orange Account; stated my eligibility for upgrade was not until November 2013? I visited the Orange/EE Store today and was told. Orange used to offer an upgrade 3 months early - but no longer! However, what I was not made aware of was that the 3month period is added to the new contract, making it a period of 27 months!! I was livid, I think 24 months is bad enough - let alone 27 months. It is not cheap either, £35 per month. I feel conned - even my bills state my current plan as being' Dolphin 35 (24mth) ' and nowhere at all on my monthly bills, does it make any reference to this being subject to 27 months. I feel very strongly about this being a ploy - to trick people into believing (as I did); that the 3 month earlier option - was a means of securing your custom for a further 2 years. What is the point of then having 3 months added to your new contract, thereby prolonging the agony on your new contract! Is there anything I can do about this; as its really 'sheer trickery' and only serves to con loyal customers like myself into thinking that your custom is appreciated and rewarded as such!! Any advice /suggestions would be very much appreciated. Many thanks indeed - your help is greatly anticipated! Thank You Sooooo Much!

Hi, I need advice on exact breakage date of the contract. I have AST agreement. I have send to the agency termination request on 21 June, and provided a copy of it on 22 June, with request to terminate agreement by 22 July 2013. Afterwards, I have received response from agency with the following: Now, the questions are: 1. Is it lawful for the agency/landlord to force me to pay until 20 August? Break clause says "one month notice". Even given written notice is required (to which email doesn't count), I supplied the notice on 22 June, so tenancy should be given up on 23 July. Is that correct? 2. Is it lawful to force me to pay until 20 October 2013 if they will not find another tenant before the date? As per my understanding, the flat is substandard and I pay more than potential tenant might pay, so it might take time for agency to find high paying tenant. 3. How lawful are the fees imposed on me (early release fee of £114), as well as obligation to pay utilities and council tax, even if property remains vacant. I could not find any mentioning of such fees in the contract. I would be very thankful for your help.