Update. Previous owner came round for his post and 'helped' me get the boiler sorted. Apparently boiler is fine but electrics aren't. He said an unused socket was the problem so took blank face thingy (sorry not technical at all) and wpind some insulation tape around the wires. Then rang an electrician mate nd a plasterer who were supposed to be coming Thurs/Fri last week....So far they haven't shown up. He said he'd get a van at the weekend to clear rubbish...no show. So I'm scared to death in the kitchen where he put my tool box in front of open socket, the walls still a mess, the garden and shed are too. I have a dog that's in kennels as I daren't bring him home till it's all sorted and my solicitor is awaiting a reply from his solicitors. If I had the money I would get everything done and then pass bills to him. I can just see this taking forever and it ending up in court. Thanks to everyone that replied to my first post .. I've had computer problems the last few days...nothing to do with previous owner though! I'm really in despair and just don't know where to turn next. Gearbox

Hi, just wondered if any one else has had similar problems and what they did about them. Just bought a property and tried to move in at the weekend.... combi boiler doesn't work 6 dbl sockets in kitchen don't work 3 dbl sockets in lounge don't work cold water tap doesn't work as they hadn't 'capped off' after taking washing machine waste pipe not capped off so water floods out under under sink plasma screen taken off wall ( he wasn't leaving plasma) wall in a mess, tv aerial sticking out of hole in wall, plaster chipped out, rawl plugs sticking out of wall...former owner did say he'd make good wall when he left rubbish left in garden shed full of rubbish...enough to fill a skip I've been in touch with my solicitor and sent them photographis evidence and they are going to write to this guys solicitor...BUT in the meantime what am I supposed to do? Money is very tight...the rubbish I can live with until something is sorted but the combi boiler, leaks and electric sockets all need fixing asap. I'm just fizzing that anyone can leave somewhere in such a mess, he knows I'm on my own which is probably why he thinks he can get away with it. Has anyone any idea how long it would take if I have to go through a small claims court as I'll have to borrow the money to make good the stuff I will need to live there. thanks in advance Gearbox (in despair)

Thanks Curlyben. Will re-write the waffle now, lol Gearbox

Argggh...I've composed a letter to Westcots and LTSB and without the help of a template they look like strangled pleas from a demented woman (which is how I feel, lol). I so want them to sound like I know what I'm talking about but from Dear Sir/Madam they go downhill fast. Is there a legal argument I could put in anywhere? Also I'm moving home this week (hence the stress) and won't be moving into my new home for 2 weeks so can't even think straight about which address to put on the letters. Would it be OK to put on a C/O address. Sorry for all the questions...I'm having a bad week Gearbox

Thanks DX. I'm feeling better already, lol. Will do some reading and then some writing...as I've already missed todays post I can have a good look on the debt collectors forum. Thanks for taking an interest Gearbox

Thanks Gooders, Will get on with writing letters. Should I put a copy of my previous letters in when I send the one to Lloyds. I had used the template letters for PPI and also for the unfair bank charges....and should I put them in for Westcots too? Also, I think the jump in amounts is the debt from the loan added to the debit balance on the old current account. Give or take a few pence it's around the sum of them both together. Will make sure I send them recorded delivery too. thanks again Gearbox

Time is ticking on and I need to do something. Should I write to Lloyds and Westcots re the debt and tell them both that as the two amounts (PPI & closed current a/c) are under dispute thay shouldn't be hounding me? I have to reply to Westcots before 3rd April, I don't want to ring them as I think they'll bully me on the phone. Advice please a very worried Gearbox

Hi HHNF I'm not giving up..yet. Will go down whatever road I can but just saying that I will go bankrupt if the offer left open to me is to pay the lot back. I've just mailed the financial ombudsman asking for advice...don't know if it will be forthcoming...but I had to do something other than scream, lol. Thanks for your support, it's appreciated GB

Hi HHNF, Thanks for the reply...I'd just been reading your thread and was admiring your stand against these parasites. I'm not 100% sure I didn't put a date on...(I have memory problems) and was sending two SARs at the same time as the PPI letter. I can't find the copy of what I sent, just the one I had saved to my templates. I'm not prepared to offer Westcot a penny but thought I might send them a letter stating that the amount they are claiming is in dispute with Ltsb...and until it is sorted to my satisfaction they can whistle, lol. Did think about resending the letter to the bank and another letter stating that all I had received from them was a statement showing a NIL balance. I didn't send my letter recorded delivery...just stuck a stamp on, unfortunately. Did also think about giving the Financial Ombudsman a ring to see what they thought. If I don't get anywhere I will seriously think about going bankrupt, I have no assets (thanks to the ex) and unless they want to take a very naughty boxer dog off of me ..there's not much else, lol. I'm just so angry with myself because I didn't send it recorded delivery. Thanks for the advice...I'll no doubt be asking many more questions and watching your thread GB

Sent standard template PPI mis sold letter to Lloyds 28th January (forgot to date the letter). Received a statement with a With Compliments slip attached, dated 26th February. This statement had a nil balance...and had the amount of the loan £9962.76 in the loan repayment column...the descroption of the payment said Other. Current balance 26th Feb 2007 .. 0.00 Today I've received a Notice of Debt Collection from Westcot Credit Services Ltd for £12,795.29. They have given me until 3/4/07 to pay the debt in full or contact their recovery department. Can anyone advise me what to do. I was naive enough to think Lloyds had cleared the debt in full rather than go down the mis-selling route. The amount of PPI (£5199.51) was added to the loan on day one and as the loan was quite large (£29000.00) I was told I'd have to have the loan insurance to get get the loan approved. I stated all this in my letter to them...that they have not answered, other than send the statement with a nil balance. HELP please. thanks in advance Gearbox

Hi Barty...thanks again. I've had a look at those spreadsheets and have decided Lloyds can keep the £700, lol. I'm nowhere near confident enough to even give them a try. So I'll stick to the Simple....perfect for me, lol. Appreciate you replying, thank you very much Gearbox

Hi Barty and I'm sorry but I still can't understand what I should be charging them for. I've filled in the spreadsheet not putting any of the amounts that say Charge...overdraft interest they do add up to over £700 though. The spreadsheet works out 8% interest, I know...and that doesn't go with the prelim letter/or the follow up...I get that, lol I just don't want to undercharge them. Want to get every penny that I can out of them. I'm nervous of making mistakes and just want it to be right. Is it legal to put the whole of these overdraft interest charges on? Corrrr....wish I knew what I was doing, lol. thanks again from a very thick Gearbox

I'm having doubts that I've done everything right and just want someone to put my mind at rest. I've just copied the prelim approach for payment letter and the bit about what I require states ' I calculate that you have taken xxxx plus xxx which you have charged me in overdraft interest. I thought you couldn't put the overdraft interest on...I'm doing my sons a/c at the minute and he's been charged over £700 for overdraft interest. I just want to claim back everything that I can for him HELP please Gearbox

I'm at the same stage so won't be any help to you. But good luck:) Sure someone will help very soon Gearbox

Barty, you are a star many thanks Gearbox