Hi all. Just an update. Sent Rockwell a letter stating that the signature they had used was plainly a forgery and asked for their response. They replied that the documents they sent came directly from Lloyd's TSB and they would investigate the matter further. Had no further response from them so have sent them another letter today stating that I expect the matter to be dropped as they are well outside the stipulated 12+30 days now and have failed in their obligation to furnish me with a true copy of the agreement. Have threatened to pass all documents to all the relevant authorities if I do not get confirmation of their dropping of this matter within 7 days

Just an update on this folks. Kensington are still refusing to provide me with copies of any contracts etc as they claim they would be breaching Data Protection. They have been kind enough to let me know that the amount of the remortgage was £49k and that it was interest only. They are demanding repayment of £55k as they want arrangement, early settlement and deed return fees on top of the original loan. They have stated that they want this payment in full by 2nd April (3 months to the day from my father's death) and that repossession proceedings will commence if I fail to pay them by then. Well, oddly enough, I don't have that amount down the back of the sofa so looks like the battle will become a war. I am not even able to sell the house to pay them off as probate has not yet gone through. Still intrigued by the fact that the house is in the names of my father and mother, who died 12 years ago, yet the mortgage was taken solely by my father. Any mileage in this or is it just to be put down as poor admin by land registry?

Card was taken out in 2001 and last used in Jan 2004 so not far to go till statute barred. I can't understand how they can just re-open the matter in future should they produce an agreement. As I understood it, by failing to produce one in the 12+30 days they had actually committed an offence. I appreciate it is almost certainly a moot point as I agree that if they can't find it now they are unlikely to in future but if they can re-open it at any time (up to the six year limit for statute-barred) then surely I can't get it removed from my credit file now?!?!

Hi all. Haven't bothered you with this one until now as it's all been going swimmingly. Textbook case really. Threatening first letter received from Lowell back in December. Fired off a CCA request. Usual Lowell response came back, saying they needed more time to get paperwork from Lloyd's TSB but they were willing to take a reduced settlement figure if I paid now (I think not, baby puppy). I wrote back saying that their inability to find paperwork was not my problem and the 12 working days for them to find it were now up. Received letter from them today (just before the end of the 30 days) stating that due to the amount of time that had passed since I took the card from Lloyd's they were unable to find the agreement and were closing their file. All well and good you say. But they go on to say that they will only make contact regarding payment of this debt in future if the agreement is received from Lloyd's. Now have I misunderstood or is this completely against the law? I thought that once they had failed to supply the agreement in the stipulated 12 + 30 days the matter was closed permanently and any default had to be removed. Surely they can't just leave it open like this? Any thoughts on a letter to send back to them?

Yes I am executor and I have given them all the paperwork that I feel they need, i.e. a death certificate. If they need further paperwork all they have to do is ask but it seems the only letter they can write is "pay us our money now" in several different ways. So far they haven't even let me know how much that is. Maybe I should send them a blank cheque??????????????? Lol

This company are quite the most foul people to deal with and that's from someone with experience of Rockwell, McKenzie Hall, Lowell etc. Their latest letter, received today, claims that they will not disclose the documents requested in my SAR as they relate to my father not to me. This would apparently breach data protection laws. Seems rather odd that they then continue by demanding full repayment within 3 months and reiterate that charges will be added for missed payments during that period. How, in the name of all that's holy, can they demand money from someone yet refuse to furnish that person with any details regarding the debt. I do hope I get to see the clown that signs these things in court. Come on Kensington, I don't expect you to have a heart but surely a brain isn't too much to ask?

Rockwell - for responding to a CCA request well after time. Then claiming that the disputed amount was for an overdraft despite enclosing an incorrectly executed loan agreement. Then refusing to speak to me on the phone when I wanted to have fun with them. Still no final acceptance from them that they are flogging a dead horse 3 months later.

The plot thickens. Received a letter from Kensington yesterday. Started off with the usual condolences then rapidly descended into a demand for full repayment within 3 months. They also pointed out that all payments must be made during that period or charges would be added to the outstanding balance. None of the literature requested in the SAR was sent. Then today I was advised to check with Land Registry for details of my father's property and lo and behold it is still listed as the property of my mother, who died 12 years ago, and my father. Question is how did my dad manage to get a mortgage solely in his name on a property in joint names when the other person had passed away 6 or 7 years previously? Guess I just have to wait for the SAR stuff to arrive!

Nothing on the bank statements to suggest a separate insurance. Would be nice to hear from a few of those who've had dealings with Kensington just to know if it's likely that insurance existed. Jansus, that's my point exactly, I have read far too much about this crew to trust them at all. I asked them for all relevant paperwork in a telephone call on 5th Jan but have received nothing so far. I think I may have to S.A.R them. From what I've read I wouldn't be at all surprised if they delayed the paperwork so that this month's payment will be missed so that they can start their charges. Or am I now just being too cynical?

You're correct in assuming that I am executor and I fully accept that I will have to speak/write to them sooner or later. My point is that if my dad had life cover on this mortgage would it be payable directly to Kensington or to his estate? The relevance of this is that from what I've read and experienced from some of these sub-prime lenders and sub-human DCA's it is entirely possible that they would claim on the life policy themselves (upon receipt of a death certificate) but claim no such policy exists and force us to pay again. I accept that no definitive answer can be given but just want to know whether Kensington are likely to have pushed life cover and if so how dodgy are they? Forgive me for casting aspertions but within the last 12 months I have had two DCA's try to prove debts with CCA's containing forged signatures so I know not all these financial "institutions" are honest. Are Kensington?

Yes I kept a copy of all correspondence. I have checked these signatures and they are identical so it would seem paintshop has been in action (hope it's a legal copy!!). I'm now in a difficult situation as since starting to deal with Rockwell on behalf of my dad, he has passed away. Personally I don't feel any need to inform Rockwell of this, mainly due to the fact that the alleged loan was a joint one between my dad and his wife and I'm certain that Rockwell would just start hassling her if told of the situation. Obviously, having just lost her husband this is not what she needs. However I do have to consult her and she is not keen on advising the authorities providing Rockwell drop the matter. I am of the opinion that they will only do this when the authorities are informed. Can anyone suggest a suitable letter to send to them that will scare them enough to drop this issue?

Hi all. I lost my father recently in an unexpected way. Consequently he had no time to arrange his affairs before death leaving me with several headaches. The largest of which is a re-mortgage taken out with Kensington in 2003. Due to my dad's inability to keep paperwork in any sort of coherent order I have been unable to find any documentation for this agreement other than bank statements showing the payments going out. When he took this loan out he would have been 54 years old. I have been advised that it is likely that Kensington would have insisted on him taking life insurance to cover the mortgage considering his age but due to lack of paperwork I can't verify this. I have read a few (non too complimentary) posts about Kensington and have dealt with a few DCA's myself and am fully aware that these folks have been known to tell a porkie or two. Consequently I don't really want to ask them outright if there is an insurance on this loan as I feel that the answer would be "no" whatever the case may be. So basically my question is this. Would Kensington have insisted on a 54 year old taking out life cover when remortgaging?

Hi all. Been dealing with our friends at Rockwell on behalf of my dad for a few months now. CCA'd them mid-december to make sure they would miss the 12 working day deadline (guessed they'd have the whole month off for xmas) and finally received a reply today, 18th Jan. Obviously they are outside the 12 days but inside the further 30. However the contents of their letter beggar belief. They claim they have now received confirmation from Lloyd's TSB that as the amount outstanding is for an overdraft the CCA does not apply. I know you are all screaming that it does but hold on, it gets better! Enclosed with this letter is a document claiming to be a "Fixed Rate Loan Agreement". Rather odd for an overdraft to be titled this way. It goes on to list repayment installments and the full amount of the LOAN. The signature page has two signatures supposed to be those of my father and his wife yet my dad's signature looks remarkably like the one that I put on a letter to Rockwell on his behalf and his wife's is not like any signature you've ever seen. It's not even joined up writing. I fear the YTS forger needs a few more years practice. There are also no prescribed terms and conditions on the page. MY question is what to do with this little gem? FSA, trading standards, police, all of the above?

As a mechanic in a non-franchised garage I have experienced a few problems with oil pressure relief valves in recent Renault turbo diesel engines. This causes insufficient oil flow to all parts of the engine and turbo. Usually the turbo is first to give up and the problem is remedied before engine damage occurs. However if you were cruising on the motorway you may not have noticed the turbo fail and have suffered the engine failure as well. Believe me Renault are only too aware of this fault and I'm quite sure would have done a recall were it not for the fact that the part seems to last just beyond the warranty. I know of several mechanics in similar positions to myself who will be only too willing to back up your claim that this is a known fault and is caused by an inherent fault. I doubt very much that an improperly closed valve would cause the problem as you suggest as in every engine I have ever worked on the valves are softer than conrods. I.e. the valve would bend rather than the conrod break. In very few engines you may shatter a piston

Hi all. I fear I may be fighting a losing battle here but let's give it a go anyway... I bought a dining room suite just over 2 years ago for £2500. It was always meant to be more of a decorative piece as I don't throw dinner parties too often (so far it has endured 5). Within one week of delivery I noticed that the centre leaf was made of 2 pieces of wood and reflected light strangely as a result. I called the retailer who stated that they were all made that way and that I should have no problems with it. Now the varnish/lacquer is pitted either side of this join and a knot in the wood has become raised. I called the retailer who sent out a rep. He stated it was my fault for not "feeding" the wood. A few days later the retailer called me and stated that due to the amount of time that I have had the table the manufacturer was not prepared to repair or replace it at their cost but would send out a polisher for the sum of £375 plus VAT. Thinking this a little steep I called a polisher recommended by a friend. He stated that it would be pointless repairing the table as the problem would re-appear as it is caused by the table being made from un-aged wood. Do I have a leg to stand on or am I stuck with some very expensive and unattractive firewood?