Hi and thank you for taking the time to read my post, I believe I may have an issue with my Landlord supplied electricity. I am posting here in the hope that you kind folk may give me advice on my maths, assumptions and possible action, The situation: I live in a building that is subdivided into 9 self-contained flats. The Landlord is responsible for paying the electricity bill for the whole building, there is a regular usage meter on the outside that records the usage for the whole building. The Landlord has installed payment meters into each flat, in order to credit these meters we have to purchase £5 disposable cards from the Landlord which are inserted into the meter to credit it. The rates: The meters are currently set to charge 55p for every kWh of electricity used. I do not know what supplier, per unit price or standing charge the Landlord is paying as I have not yet confronted him about this as I would like to make sure I've not made any mistakes or overlooked something. The problem: I believe I am paying over double the price I should based on my usage. I have kept a tally on the amount of cards I have bought over a 3 month period and I have spent £265 on electricity cards. This works out to a usage of about 482 kWh per quarter. If I were getting my electricity directly from a supplier, say British Gas for example, using their Standard Tariff information on their website it quotes 12.28p per kWh with a standing charge of 26.01p per day. A quarter is 91.25 days on average so that's a standing charge of £23.73 per quarter and £59.19 of usage making a total of £82.92 with VAT that comes to £99.50. I figure this means I'm paying roughly 250% more for my electricity than if I were getting it direct. The concessions: Many of the tenants of this building are quite old. They do not use modern devices like computers and the like and I imagine have quite low electricity usage. This being the case, the Landlord would have to increase the price per unit in order to cover the standing charge he is paying. But seeing as I don't actually have the information regarding the other tenants and the Landlord's billing I am only speculating here. In any case this arrangement would be very unfair on a higher user like myself. I also understand that payment meters are generally more expensive than straight billing, but 250% more expensive seems somewhat overkill. Issues: If I confront the Landlord about this, and he is overcharging for profit, he would have been doing this for a long tome and has gotten used to the extra money by now. If I drop this on him and force him to lower the rates on the meters, he is not going to be particularly pleased about it. Yes he may be stealing money from me, but human nature being what it is, he's been doing it so long he probably believes he is entitled to do this. It's going to cause bad blood. Resolutions? Ideally I would like to do away with the Landlord meter and have my electricity supplied directly. I've tried to look into the laws on this but I can't really find anything that is specific or even related to my situation. The only things I tend to get when I do a search is for switching electricity suppliers. Also having the meter reduced to a more reasonable rate, say, 22p per unit would be ok. Or even, I would be willing to pay the landlord a flat fee per month to cover my share of the standing charge and have the meter set to the actual price per unit with VAT that he is paying. What do you think? I am going to ask the Landlord to look at his electricity bill soon. If he does show it to me, then I can explain this issue to him with actual irrefutable numbers and math. But what should I do if he refuses to show it to me? Anyway, thank you again for reading this and thanks in advance for any replies. Regards Col

Hi, We employed a builder to convert a brick shed and passageway into a wet room and utility area. Part of the job was to install two external doors (one front, one back), these doors had to be wheelchair suitable. We are now at floor laying stage (tiles) and the doors have been installed too high. Can't get a wheelchair through them. The builder contracted this work out to a local window and door company. We are trying to get the doors lowered but having difficulty in getting them to come and do it. They promised within two weeks but never came. My question is, if I have to take them to court, who is my case with, the builder or the company he contracted to do the work. Thanks

Hi, Please can anyone help me with this: I have just had the 3rd (yes third) gearbox installed in my car, this gearbox has now failed after less than 24 hours and 50 miles! The story: Purchased from main dealer an 18 month old car in September 2014 with 7500 miles on the clock and balance of 3 year manufacturers warranty Car: Make MG, Model MG6 (petrol) Gearbox number 1: This is the original gearbox: noticed by end of 2015 (approx 28000 mile total) that gearbox 'crunches' when changed from 3rd to 4th gear quickly (yes this is a standard manual gearbox). Went to dealer in March 2016 to complain about gearbox (and other warranty faults), they drove car and agreed with me about gearbox. Manufacturer agreed to replace gearbox and new gearbox arrived at end of April. I couldn't leave car with the dealer at this time as I was on standby to work abroad for a number of weeks. Gearbox number 2: Finally got gearbox replaced at beginning of June. New gearbox was worse! Not only does it crunch in 4th but it also whines (like an old mini) in 2nd. Car returned at beginning of July to look at again, dealer agrees it is not correct but "doesn't know what manufacturer will say as it's out of warranty". Told them "don't care fault occurred in warranty period an has not been resolved - actually made worse". Manufacturer eventually agrees to send an engineer from the factory to look at my car who came last week. Manufacturer has agreed that the new gearbox is faulty but they will only supply a replacement 'box if I don't complain about it crunching in 4th as this is a "characteristic of the car". This is not entirely true as I have driven one of the loan cars with same gearbox and it does not crunch however the other loan car did, however there is a lot on the internet about failing gearboxes, crunching, stiff changes etc etc. The gearbox obviously has an inherent design flaw. Gearbox number 3: The third gearbox was installed 15/16th of this month (i.e. picked up yesterday), this has failed within 24 hours and 50 miles, jammed in second - so car now unusable. This happened first thing this morning This morning: Called finance company: told them I wish to reject car for refund under sale of good act and consumer credit act, they said they will talk to the dealer and 'get back to me' and that their procedures can take 8 weeks). I have told them I'm not interested in their time scale, I now do not have a drivable car, asked them for an address where I can serve notice of intended court action. Told me that I need to provide burden of proof, I told them this has been fixed under warranty so I have no paper work (dealer has never given me paper work for warranty repairs) - the car is sitting immobile on my drive if they want to inspect. Called dealer: spoke to the MD, he says it's not acceptable, can they collect car and give me a loan car. I can't arrange collection today or tomorrow as am too busy at work. Thing is I don't want this fixed now, too many attempts at a fundamental fault, I have no confidence whatsoever now. What I would like help with: I would like to claim from the dealer and finance company as they are jointly and severable liable - under sale of good act and consumer credit act - refund and cancel loan agreement. The fault apparently can not be fixed, actually each gearbox is worse. This is a major fault. Could someone point me in the direction of a letter template, and how to handle the court claim - I need to move urgently with this, I am currently having to borrow my wife's car - I can not get to work otherwise. Thanks in advance.

Hi all Nearly 6 months ago my Father in Law was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The Palliative Care team at his Hospital immediately requested that the council fit a level access shower in his council flat. 4 months later, his wife had heard nothing so rang the Council up. Was told that the adjudication Panel had rejected the request! The next day his daughter phoned to plead with them to reconsider. They immediately phoned back to say they had granted the application. No reason was given for the refusal or the reconsideration. She was phoned in August to say they would start work on shower on the following Monday. They never turned up. No reason was given. He passed away mid-September. The shower was never fitted. For the last few months of his life he refused to leave the flat because he was worried that he smelled. This despite his wife washing him frequently using cloths and bowls of soapy water. I have registered a formal complaint and I'm awaiting the response. I have had a phone call from the Director of Adult Social Care who apologised but refused to provide any explanation. He told me to register a formal complaint if I felt his apology wasn't sufficient. I have made FOI request for the minutes of the Panel meetings. However, I am now considering legal action to seek financial compensation for his wife. Would she have a case and if so, how would I go about it?

Garage installed a new clutch plate BACKWARDS six months ago in my volvo which broke during a long drive away, que new repair needed plus lots of expenses. Shall I start with a notice before action, including copies of receipts etc? What is the garage liable for and what do I need to do? Thank you in advance.

Hello everybody I recently got into debt bother with EON . I spoke to them about my options with regards to my debt (installments, pre-payment etc). I indicated that I would prefer prepayment to manage my debts but then took my time getting back to them . Next I received a letter telling me that they were applying to the courts and had added £60.00. The court date was supposed to be 12th of November and I awaited this date so I could contest the fee (I had already told them that I wanted prepayment), they wrote to me shortly before telling me that the court hearing had been cancelled and they would write to me at a later date. Yesterday (12th) I got home to find some documents and a electricity key INSIDE MY HOUSE !!. The accompanying paperwork said that they had acted on a warrant (no issue date, number etc) and had changed my electricity meter. In my actual mail on that day I got a letter from them telling me that they had reapplied for a court date - which was supposed to be the 16th November !!!. So clearly they illegally entered my house without a warrant and changed the meter. Luckily, nothing valuable was stolen from me by these rapscallions . I have not yet contacted them, instead I would prefer the advice of somebody who has experience in these matters to see exactly where I stand before I act. What are my options, so to speak ?

For the full story : - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32876422

Hello everyone, I have been reading up on this forum for few years never had the chance to post or thank for the great help with appealing my car penalty notices so thank you to all. My today's question: I recently upgraded my phone with EE and after hearing from my friend I checked my phone to find a software called 'computrace agent' which potentially can be used to spy, send text messages or even disable my phone. According to EE this is to protect them and me from fraud but they never said this to me before? If I want to protect my phone I can choose to install something or disable it but this is permanent and all my information is sent to a third party without my consent. If I was to trace my phone by law the company tracing is required to send a message once in a while to inform me so how is EE allowed to install this software without even telling me about the dangers? At least NSA is a government agency and I don't trust them to spy on me why should I trust a third party partner of EE? Is this even legal? Can I cancel my contract with EE if they can't replace my phone without this software? I've been with EE for nearly three years and I upgraded 4 months ago.

Hi I'm new to the forum and hope someone can help. I discovered today - following a leak through my ceiling - that my water tank has been illegally installed - the engineer isolated it immediately and told me what would need to be done to make it safe again ( in summary a pipe that should have been fed to outside wall was just cut and left in cupboard to drip - hence the leak) we have been in the house since it was built - a few years ago now - and so I called Cala (the builders) who advised they would send someone out to write a report on it and then they would advise if they would fix it. I don't think they are going to deny that it's their responsibility but they just don't seem to be in any hurry they won't get someone out until next week and then who know how long it will take to process report etc. in the meantime I am left without any hot water and 2 small children. What kind of pressure can I out on them to hurry up and would paying for the work to be done myself and then pursuing them for compensation be an option or more hassle than being without hot water for a while Many thanks

I'm after some advice on a tap that I purchased (as part of a new kitchen) from Homebase. I do not believe the [incredibly expensive] tap is fit for purpose or of satisfactory quality. Unfortunately I fear it may be too late to reject the goods. The other issue is that the tap is installed in my sink which is sealed into the worktop. It could be removed but it would be tedious and hard work - something I don't think I should be doing. It's also not something I can be without for ANY period of time. I arranged independent installation of the kitchen but the fault is certainly not due to installation. I would begrudge and don't see why I should have to pay to have it removed and a new one fitted. I am tempted to fix the tap myself, but I'm worried about making it worse and thus limiting any future claims. I could also put up with it, but I would need a significant reduction in price (80% minimum, how much would you pay for a wonky tap!?). I certainly do not believe it's living up to it's price point... I would be grateful for some feedback on the letter which I intend to send: Dear Sirs On the 05/08/13 I purchased a Schock Black Onyx mixer tap at a cost of £309. I took delivery of this and other items on the 06/09/13. I believe this to be a premium product and consider the price to be reflective of this. I am disappointed to inform you that through only minimal usage the tap handle has become very lose and frequently disconnects from the tap base. It is my belief that this failing renders the tap: A) Not fit for purpose B) Not of a durable nature C) Not of a satisfactory quality This is a breach of my statutory rights (Sale of Goods Act 1979, (as amended) section 14, subsection 2, 2A and 2B points A, C, and E. Unfortunately the tap remains installed in my kitchen as a professional trades person is required uninstall it. I invite you to inspect, replace, repair or refund the tap within a reasonable period of time and without any great inconvenience to myself. I require that any costs (such as professional trades people or loss of earnings) associated with the remedy are borne by you, the seller. I propose that the most efficient and acceptable remedy is a full refund. Please provide a written response to the issues above within 10 working days of the date of this letter. Yours sincerely

I am posting on behalf of my client, who is also a good friend. My Client decided to Change his bathroom into a shower room. He purchased the products himself, but with my discount from a plumbing merchants I use. The problem he has is that, the board he chose to install on the walls, where the shower enclosure was to be fitted were faulty, but did not show up until after installation. The shower boards installed have very small chips along one of the tongue and groove edges. also the toungue and groove joints are not flush they dip. The main supplier sent out there Representative to inspect the boards,and he agreed that there were defects in the manufacturing of the board. There response was as follows Following your resent communication our representative J***** T***** has been to visit Mr C M***** 600mm tongue and groove Hydropanels . On arrival he found chips along the edge of the panel, with this in mind we would collect the panels for credit. This would be in full and final settlement of any claim, and would not include any re fixing costs . They seem to ignore the joints that are not flush. What they seem to forget is that it will cause damage to the plaster, the end panels have a chrome profile so this may get damaged removing the boards, Can any one please advise what cause of action we can take to resolve this matter, so my friend is not to much out of pocket and resolved quickly. Thanks in advanced Leakie