UU and CCJ

[oscar21]

I've not paid this years water rates yet and after admitedly 2 or 3 reminders I have just received a claim form from northampton court. Its only for £300 but includes £50 solicitors costs and £15 court costs. I was under the impression legal costs could'nt be claimed in the small claims court.
I dont see why I have to pay for water up to march next year that I havent even used yet, or even the six months they were asking for. Can I use that as a defence, and if I loose after defending it do I still get the month to pay so no CCJ is issued.
It isn't a problem to pay it, I just dont like to be told when I have to pay things as if you ever ask for a refund for anything its never forthcoming.
I could go on a water meter but they want £100 standing charge, whats that all about.

[old_andrew2007]

you must defend the claim asap, it not unreasonable for them to ask customers to pay advance charges, council tax works in the same way, although you can arrange monthly payment.
It will cost a you little more on this occasion because of the charges levied,
I think you are correct when you say a CCJ can be avoided by paying within a certain time.

[oscar21]

Update, heard absolutley nothing until today when I got a letter from UU stating that I Havent kept to the terms of the CCJ, what CCJ? it news to me, checking the MCOL site it acknowledges my defence and counter claim but dosent say a judgment has been made.
If I defend a claim I dont think it can go any further online, but I have definatley not had anything through the post. Are they trying it on?

Will have to wait till monday now to speak to somebody, how do I apeal this having never known about the supposed judgement as I would have paid it if I lost.
Oddly enough the amount in the UU letter is about £20 more than the judgment.

[bigpeterlg22]

hi oscar

the balance will be £25 higher as you will have a judgement by default.
It sound like you haven't submitted your defence in the time allowed by the court.
the moneyclaim online site will acknowledge the defence and counter claim but it is out of time it will not process them further.

I would call northampton ccbc at 9am on monday to find out what has happened and advise that you haven't been served with the judgement order.
They can tell you what has happened and should be able to assist if you want to try to set asside the judgement.

[oscar21]

Originally Posted by bigpeterlg22

hi oscar

the balance will be £25 higher as you will have a judgement by default.
It sound like you haven't submitted your defence in the time allowed by the court.
the moneyclaim online site will acknowledge the defence and counter claim but it is out of time it will not process them further.

I would call northampton ccbc at 9am on monday to find out what has happened and advise that you haven't been served with the judgement order.
They can tell you what has happened and should be able to assist if you want to try to set asside the judgement.

Thanks for the reply, the £25 sounds right, however the dates acording to MCOL are : claim issued on 24/06/08 and part admission recieved (online) 3/07/08. I was under the impression that I had 14 days to respond.

[pelham9]

Make sure that when this settled you force them to put in a water meter - if it is possible to do it they cannot charge you. It is very likely that you will pay very much less provided you use water carefully. Do nott bother with the 'would it be cheaper to have a water meter' calculators they have on the website. Water companies do not like meters because their income drops when they are fitted so these 'aids' are biassed to persuade you not to go down that route.

[oscar21]

Got a text message today titled 'text_alert' saying its vital you ring United Utilities today. The letter they sent ut yesterday gave me 14 days to respond to it, maybe they realise there has been no judgment yet, perhaps a trip to the police is in order mentioning obtaining money by deception.
I'm not speaking to anyone until I find out the story from the court on monday, apart from I dont discuss money matters over the phone anyway.

[oscar21]

Well what do you know, I've just rung the court and there has been no judgment against me! In factthe court sent my partial admission to them sometime in jJuly and they as of yet they have'nt even reponded to it so the case has been stayed, whatever that means.

It did'nt stop them sending out a threatening letter to me though threatening me with bailffs, bankruptcy, charging order etc because I have failed to keep to the terms of the CCJ.

I feel really sorry for the folk that dont know how to look after themselves when there are so many unlawful firms out there using false bully boy tactics.

[pelham9]

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it not unreasonable for them to ask customers to pay advance charges, 
 
council tax works in the same way, 


If you have a water meter they can only charge you for what you have used - there can be no question of them charging in advance.