If true this is sad news. The Government should be safeguarding jobs, far too many employers now are using the desperation of job searchers and the over full market to get labour on the cheap. This is especially true of the large sales and telesales Company's who employ people for a 'qualifying period' then get rid of them on basis of not achieving 'unrealistic' goals and so recycle the jobs without incurring the normal expenses that go with long term employment. It's these 'non employers' the Government should be clamping down on with the misery they bring to employee's who think they have finally made it off of the jobs search merry go round.

Thanks for that, I have meet with Bank first, then I will approach Council again and the other orgs.

Thanks for support Phoenix11 I'm trying to find out how to do this, think I've posted right. ps. I have done all obvious & over time can reduce outgoings, just that it happpened basically overnight.

After finding my rent/rates D/D suddenly increased over threefold and any benifits I had stopped, I spoke to an accountant friend, he spent three hours going through my paperwork and ringing Council, Pension service, Tax office etc., with the final conclusion which I now understand, I am in what is called a poverty trap and there is not a damn thing I can do about it other than commit a crime. This is the basics which I have published in the hope that someone can offer a way out. If I could tell the private pension Company to keep their pension, I don't want it, I would be back on an even keel. Every outgoing is by direct debit and except for three small ones, club membership, health membership and charity donation in total £19 and for essentials that cannot be stopped...phone, electric, rent, rates, insurances, etc. I'm 71 yr old pensioner, and was coping quite adequately & managing to run small car on my state pension and a small private pension that I (Silly Me) opted to have paid annually. I have no savings etc. so I was provided with benifits such as housing and housing tax & was able to manage quite well. Until evidently there was a change in April and I suddenly found that all my benifits had stopped and I needed to find a further £150 per month for outgoings. I tried to find out why by attending CAB, Age, Council only to become more confused so sought the help of an accountant friend who went into it in depth. It would appear that changes in April meant that S/pension increased slightly, which affected tax paid on private pension which in turn slightly increased that pension putting my total earnings just over the Gov. threshhold (thats how I understand it) I am told that on paper I have an increase of £9 per week. (WOW) in fact I now have to find from nowhere, an extra £150 per month to cover committed outgoings caused by the resultant increases in Council payments. Council D/D jumped from £114 total to £246 + Council tax overnight. I am now overdrawn with my bank by £400. and have absolutely no way of paying the next d/d which is council rent/rates etc.and will rapidly find myself deeper and deeper in debt until I lose my home, because I was stupid enough to pay for a private pension all those years ago and opt for it to be paid annually. I could have spent a lump sum or saved it without consequence. CAN ANYONE HELP? Can I change way in which private pension is paid? Any suggestions, I live on the 10th. floor, would be appreciated.

Bit of a catch 22 situation, can only wish you luck whichever route you follow. For future reference no matter how small an incident, take pictures, as many as possible. I even take them if I park in a tight space so I have the regs of vehicles next to me, doesn't take a second with modern camera phones and a picture is well worth a thousand words. In your case it might have been sufficient to prove bar etc. was in bad repair and a danger. Good luck...

What does your employer say about this and are they involved? Is the handbook your employers or for the complex? I think you have two options 1. tell them to get lost as they have not followed any laid down procedure providing this doesnt jeopardise your employment etc., or 2. Follow through with a written request for details of any investigation carried out, copy of any report on damage and an itemised list of repair costs, and their Insurance Company details and their Insurance Companies excess and take it from there when you get response. I still think its down to my original assessment its between their insurance Co and yours and as you say it is less than your excess and if you want to clear this up, I would be inclined to make an offer in writing of half what they are asking, stating that the bar was in poor condition and unstable and therefore you are only prepared to pay part towards the full repair which the condition of the bar indicated it was needed anyway, I would enclose a cheque for the amount you are offering and see what happens. If they cash the cheque then they have accepted your offer.

If you have made no admissions in writing and they did not inform you that they were holding you responsible in writing and had repairs done without doing this, then I cant see they have any claim on you and I would inform them that you do not consider payment for this to be your responsibility and is the reason they hold insurance. as epulpo says no previous agreement. There is always a possibility to turn this around, was this bar in dangerous condition, was it a safety hazard, was it clearly marked so it could be seen, what damage to your vehicle, if little or none then for bar to fall off it must have been insecure? etc. What impact if any would an argument have on your job, is it worth it? e-mails are not a secure means and get lost or junked. Reciprical claim for damage to your vehicle? Its always worth thinking outside the box. Just giving personal options on how to deal as don't have enough info to make an informed opinion of exactly what I would do myself.. Assume this is a managed complex with your employer being one of a number in the complex and using facilities, ie car park?

I would imagine this is no different to reversing into another car etc. in a car park. It should be a matter between their insurance Company and yours. Obviously if the bill is more than your excess it makes sense to pay it raher than going through insurance. If its Insurance claim then follow normal procedures. If you are going to pay then insist on 2 or 3 quotes before repairs are made. Personally I would ask for their Insurance Company details and tell manager you will deal with them direct. Whatever you decide this is no different to any other accident and same procedures apply. Hope this helps. One important point as is mentioned so often in these posts, do everything in writing, phone calls and verbal assurances are worthless, always get proof of posting.

I need help fom the other side of the fence if you like. I'm a pensioner and had an accident through the negligence of a property owner which cost me over £200 to replace my spectacles.. I found the owner of the properties name from electoral roll and sent him the bill. Letters were opened and then returned as unknown. I did a further check on the name & eventually started small claims. I contacted mediators as is necessary before Court action, in every case the person has ignored letters and also returned Court letters. I was given judgement by default but still can't get my money. This property is a large business/hotel but they just deny any knowledge of the owner as listed on electoral roll. What's next step, obviously I have no finances and this small amount is important to me. Can I get the judgement altered so its against the property not the owner. Can I just go into this hotel and take property of the value. How do I find out where the owner actually lives as it would appear he does not live on the premises. I think it's wrong that Courts do not enforce small claims. Help or comments appreciated.