I called the LL and they sent someone round. But I have a gas cooker that needs checking too and the last visit was only to repair the boiler

Exactly. Why wouldn't I want it done? It has had a repair done to it a month ago (not sure if that counts) but regardless, they're welcome to come and inspect it at anytime. Issuing an abatement notice makes it seem as if I have been obstructive but I've lived here for 11 years and I let them in every year so why wouldn't I now? That's what they need to answer, not me. I don't know why I've been served with this crap

Yes, circumstances as you describe, appealing on several grounds, 1st being the issuance of the notice isn't justified, 2nd being the time given for 'compliance' is insufficient/unreasonable and lastly the conditions which need to be satisfied to issue were never satisfied as they could not have been. I'm sending evidence too. The landlord has rushed to this course of action without checking their facts. I could just call them again now and make an appointment (apparently that will make the 'problem' go away) but I am annoyed at this threat of legal action against me when I haven't done anything wrong so I'm going to fight them and teach them a lesson so that in future they act responsibly and don't misuse the court system and waste taxpayers' money.

Ah I see, OK yes it says Magistrates, I have managed to find one at last so I'll send there. Thanks for your help. I would have thought this was a civil matter but actually I just noticed the letter is from the Crime Enforcement Division lol, (these people....who DO they think they are?) I'll send the appeal out next week and then wait for this silly notice to be quashed

It's civil yes. So the notice says I can appeal to a Magistrates Court, just wondering if the County Court was the same thing?

Hi all I have received an abatement notice, it isn't for noise but for access for a safety inspection. I'm going to appeal it but got a bit of a daft question first, I'm just wondering if a County Court is the same as a Magistrate Court? I'm looking for a Magistrate Court to deliver my appeal notice to but my internet searches keep throwing up Courts with the name 'County' in and not 'Magistrate', are they the same? Just want to be sure I'm not sending my appeal to the wrong place. Thanks

I don't know what grounds that's why I've asked for clarification from the OP who said that s/he is treated differently from other staff hence my request for more information on that.

Haha I like to ask for an admittance fee of £500, seeing as they only collect £20 if they sell you a licence on the door it's clear why they never want to pay it. Or say my name is Donald Duck, they never seem to want to write that one down. Sometimes they're running away as soon as you pull out the camera so there's no need to say anything.

Hi and welcome, in future PLEASE post here first before taking any action. If you want to claim constructive dismissal (which even if everything is done right is difficult enough to prove) you can't hand in your notice and work the notice period or even part of it, the circumstances usually must be so unbearable that you simply can no longer stand to work even another day there and so you resign immediately and in the letter you make clear what has caused you to resign (i.e. the employer breaching your contract). NOTE: Don't just go and do that now since you've already handed in your notice and we don't know the full details so continue working your notice for now unless something new has happened since in which case tell us about it. What reason did you give in your resignation letter? I'm not saying you couldn't still be successful for constructive dismissal but you put yourself at a disadvantage by demonstrating that you can tolerate another 4 weeks of that treatment. "The other issues include not given me the opportunity to do some of my role when I have a chance, treating me different to the other staff, calling me names and undermining me to my staff." Um, yeah sounds like DISCRIMINATION to me. Make sure you write everything down, dates, times, what happened, any witnesses and so forth. Important question for you, WHY do you think you're being discriminated against? I mean, why you in particular? And what kind of names have you been called? Anything sexist, racist, homophobic etc.? The employee handbook will almost certainly form part of your contract of employment but to be certain you should get a physical copy of your contract and check it. The employer is obliged to give you a copy if you request it so do so if you cannot lay hands on your own copy. You've asked also about whether they've breached the contract and the answer is maybe but you'll have to first check your contract. Just to confirm, SSP was paid right? Or did you get zero pay?

In future don't let them in, look through peephole or window and if you don't know who it is get start video recording upon opening the door. Don't answer any questions, don't sign anything and as soon as they've identified themselves close the door. Sorry to hear about this, unfortunately when you try to do the "right" thing this is what they do, they work on commission as I understand it and so no matter how genuine your story is they're gonna do you if given the chance so it's a waste of time talking. I agree with the advice already given, just plead guilty now but next time shut the door.

Ah I see, I saw this http://civilmediation.justice.gov.uk/ and didn't consider there were other options. I suppose not using the online service it's free right? Could ACAS do it in this instance just out of interest?

Surprised to see so many answers upon logging in this afternoon, good call!

Big company who have been trading for yonks and are in no threat of winding up

Super, thanks everyone for above for answering, to save time I'll just respond in one post. I'm glad to hear the ADR is optional since you have to pay a fee to do it and I'm pretty sure that bill can't be added to the claim later so I don't see why I should pay for a mediation service when my original complaint is that I'm owed money. It wasn't clear on the CAB website as they include the ADR option in their template letter so that's that cleared up (that's why I come here). I see ADR as an obstacle to me getting my hands on a judgement quickly lol perfect, I'll just edit that bit out of the letter and fire it off! Since I'm here (and I hope I won't be smacked for not starting a new thread) just wondering where the small claim is for back wages can I claim statutory interest on it?

Ah I see, this is what I was concerned about since ADR is merely an irritant but I don't wish to avoid it so much that I'd be prepared to suffer a costs order no matter how minimal. I'm after a clean victory so I guess I'll suggest in my LBA that I'd be willing to do ADR. Why has my question been moved away from Employment?