hi all, Today I received a letter from Virgin Media broadband telling me that my bill will be increased by £1.75 from 1st of November. I install this broadband about three months ago. I choose the plan which will be unchanged for 24 months. Not the one which is half price and then jump into £30 per month after 12 months. So my question is can Virgin media do this? I heard in past that offcom change its law so mobile phone comapnies can't charge more mid-contract. Is this the case with Broadband also? I have 50MB broadband and I am paying £28.50 already for it. thanks in advance.

Hi I'll break it down as I have a few queries. SITUATION On 3/12/2013 I signed a Subject to Contract form at the letting agents, and paid the deposit, first months rent etc before moving in on 6th January 2014 on a 6 month AST. at the end it then rolled onto a periodic rental, which I then signed up for 12 months fixed contract in December 2014. I received a leaflet called "What is the Tenancy Deposit Scheme" and in my tenancy contract it says "It is protected by the following scheme - The Dispute Service www.tds.gb.com" I do not hold any further information on the deposit. 3-4 weeks ago, the letting agents telephoned me saying I needed to come in to sign up again, and that my landlady is increasing my rent (about 9% per month extra) I explained that as I was looking to buy my first home, I cannot commit to a new 6/12 month tenancy. He said that I had to sign up, and I explained that last year I had been on a periodic contract for 6 months, before renewing for a further 12 months, and my landlady had previously had no problem with this. He then called me back after speaking to my landlady and informed me that she was not happy with this as her financial situation had changed, and she cannot rely on me giving 1 months notice on a periodic tenancy. I explained very politely that I had already given my reason why I am not committing, and he became very pushy saying that house sales take on average 12 weeks to complete, so if I was to start looking in February, then I would be able to move out after the 6 months AST expires in early June. (Ok, no one tells me what to do!) I briefly explained that I'm a first time buyer, and there are plenty of houses in the area with no forward chain, so the sale could be a lot quicker. He then said that if I don't sign up then I would not have much choice, and finding another property for a short-term let whilst waiting for my house purchase to go through would be very difficult, as most agents sign for a minimum of 6 months. I panicked (all bravado went out the window) and offered to give my landlady 2 months notice to quit if she let me stay on a periodic tenancy, and I also agreed to the rent increase. He has phoned me twice, asking me to confirm this. I returned his call after his first voicemail, confirming this with his colleague, and when he called me again and left another message asking me to confirm, I didn't bother returning his call as I was pretty fed up with him by now. Question 1. I emailed the letting agents to ask about the deposit, and they said that they hold a copy of the certificate - would I like to see it? Is this a breach of any law by not automatically providing it to me? TDS website says it cannot find any record of my deposit using the information I provide - name, postcode, deposit amount. Question 2. Even though I have verbally accepted the rent increase, should I receive proper and legal notification of rent increase, before I pay the higher amount in December? Question 3. As I agreed verbally to provide 2 months notice to quit when I go onto a periodic rental tenancy, to avoid my landlady serving me a Section 21, do I have to do this by law? Question 4. My copy of the initial 6 month AST has not been signed by the Landlord/Agent - should it have been? From memory, I think they signed the copy they kept (they had printed off 2 copies, as opposed to giving me a photocopy of the original one). Question 2 and 3 relate to that I really did panic, as I don't want to have to move out for maybe 2 months before moving into the place I hope to buy, as I'm worried how the mortgage lender will view this in terms of credit scoring, making sure I'm on the electoral roll etc. If I do have to commit to the rent increase, and 2 months NTQ then fair enough, I've learnt my lesson for agreeing anything under pressure. It's since I've tried to locate my deposit, that alarm bells are ringing. It took my landlady 6 months last year to replace broken fence panels, which really peeved my neighbours off. They understood it wasn't my fault and that I had chased it up 3 times. When the fence was finally replaced, it was a 3 foot wire one provided by the council (the landlady had bought an ex local authority house conversion flat). Why it took so long, I have no idea. We were all laughing when it was fitted, as had we of known, we would've spent £20 purchasing it ourselves, rather than waiting for the council maintenance department to fit it. The tenant downstairs is a local authority tenant and asked me to contact my landlady as the guttering at the back of the property is leaking badly every time it rains. This was 3.5 weeks ago, and we've heard nothing. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you

So I entered into a fixed 12 month contract with Eon in January this year, at a very reasonable £32.50 a month, all going swimmingly until yesterday when they emailed me to say that my direct debit would be increasing to £43 a month! Have just emailed them, and tweeted them, to say that there is absolutely no chance of paying this increase as I am on a fixed income, and their quote of £32.50 a month has been used in my budget each month, and there is zero wriggle room. I am hoping that they can continue to take £32.50 a month, like they agreed in January, or I shall pull the direct debit and either set up a standing order, regardless of their threat of adding their penalty fees for not paying via DD, or vote with my feet and go elsewhere all together, and deal with the deforestation of begging letters for 'breaking' the contract early. If I could be bothered to read the small print in the contract, I am pretty certain that it is all weighted in their favour, and no doubt it will say that they can change the rules and move the goal posts as and when they choose, but as a customer you're not able to. But we'll see.

From November the government will increase Insurance premium tax from 6% to 9.5%, meaning that people will notice a significant increase, when the Insurers have added any increase to the premium as well. I would think that Insurance will at some point incur 20% tax, the same as current VAT. Politically governments don't like increasing income tax rates, but they tinker with indirect taxes.

Scottish Power is the most complained about energy supplier in Britain, the latest figures from Citizens Advice reveal. The national charity and consumer advocate has released its latest quarterly complaints league table, which reveals: There were 1,163 complaints about Scottish Power per 100,000 customers in the last quarter of 2014: the latest period for which data is available. This is the highest number of complaints ever recorded about one energy firm. Complaints about Scottish Power increased 588% throughout 2014. The new figures also show that SSE retained top spot as the least complained about company. In the last quarter, the number of complaints about SSE, British Gas, EDF Energy and npower decreased. Npower has made improvements, but is still performing poorly relative to most other firms, with more than five times as many complaints as the next worst company. Complaints about Scottish Power are due to its new billing system, which meant some people didn’t receive a bill and others struggled to have their problems resolved. Scottish Power was banned from selling energy for 12 days in March 2015 after failing to meet Ofgem targets for resolving customer complaints. The investigation behind the ban found that the firm had not made necessary customer service improvements to respond to complaints. Citizens Advice has worked with Scottish Power to help resolve the problems its customers are experiencing. As a result it has now taken steps to deal with its backlog of complaints. These include hiring new customer service staff, extending call centre hours, and setting up a special phone line for vulnerable customers. Tips for energy customers Complain to your energy supplier as soon as you experience a problem. If you have not received a bill but are expecting one, try to put money aside so you are able to pay when you do eventually get the bill. Energy companies are only allowed to back bill for energy you used in the last 12 months, anything older than that should be written-off where the supplier is at fault. Ask for some sort of compensation for the time you spent on trying to sort out problems and the financial impact of late billing for example reduce the balance of the bill and cover the cost of phone calls. Npower customers who have received a late bill can contact the supplier on 0800 9759065 Scottish Power has increased the opening hours of its call centre to 10pm to help deal with customer queries. Suppliers must take into account ability to pay when setting debt repayment levels. You can get advice from the Citizens Advice energy consumer line on 03454 04 05 06. If you are struggling to resolve your complaint you can raise it with the energy ombudsman on 0330 440 1624.

I left Sky last year and re-joined a couple of months after, which saved me roughly 50% of the monthly cost, fixed price for 12 months. I've just had a price increase letter from them - increasing the price by about 10%. Can they do this half way through a fixed price deal which they gave me to win me back?

I received a retention offer via email so I had to speak to the live chat team to accept it. I was quote the price and all was good. I then received a confirmation email a day later that noted there was a price increase of £3 per month. Yeah it's only £3 but it's the principle. I got onto the live chat and was told recontract offers are immediate and there is no cooling off period and the misinformation I was given was not a valid reason to 'nullify' the contract. I'm absolutely livid at how sneaky they were!

Has anyone noticed that since OFCOM has mentioned more fines being applied to those making unsolicited marketing calls, that there has been an increased number of 'witheld number calls' ? When you do 1471, it says that the last person who called you witheld their number, when in the past, there was a telephone number, which if it was real, you could have used in a complaint. I have my phone always on answerphone and I only pick up if I know the person calling. People I know leave a message or know I will only pick up, if I hear a voice when the answerphone recording starts. Most people I know do the same, as they cannot be bothered with answering marketing calls. I am on TPS, but still get phone calls most days. Companies making these marketing calls will continue, but they will now be more careful.

I currently rent my home from Home group in the North East. I have received my annual rent increase letter. However it has been brought to my attention we are paying a higher band of rent than a friend of mine who lives in the same size house just 10 houses away, on the same estate but different street. Now I'm not talking a few quid difference I'm talking £30 per week difference which i think is extortionate. With this in mind I did a bit of searching and found a valuation office agency electronic rent register and found tenancies in my street moving in after us where the rent is shown as £20-30 less than what we pay. Can anyone advise if I should query this and how I should do so? thanks for your time!

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/improved-help-for-people-struggling-with-problem-debt

This is a new forum for me. Post arrived today usual bumph including a letter from VM stating that from 01/02/2015 they will be increasing their fees by £3.00pm. Called VM to state not interested any more to have services that go up so much with no extra value same channels not better service, just more costs. Stated this and said that I would rather leave VM for services else where. The result was a £30.00 good will gesture to account for this increase for the next year. My question is now how many people will blindly accept the increase in fees without questioning them. Also they like to state a brand new contract is entered into if you change your service package for another year why?

My mother in law works part-time for a supermarket in England, an has worked there for over 2 years. In July there was a store meeting where everyone was advised that they will be requiring people to offer more availability for the times/days they can work due to business requirements, and that redundancies were on the cards. On the way out of the meeting they were given generic letters for them to fill in with their new availability. Mother in law extended her hours of availability even though she didn't want to and she cannot commit to much more (she cares for my 2 year old a few days a week whilst i am at work). A few weeks later in August there were some redundancies in the store, seemingly for those who didn't offer the flexibility/availability required. Mother in law's new availability was accepted and her shifts she has been given has been based on that new availability since. Last week she was hand delivered a letter inviting her to a meeting with her manager tomorrow to discuss further availability that the store needs their staff to commit to, and that if this is not achieved then the outcome for the staff who cannot fit in with their requirements will be a new contract offered under the new hours the store demand, and failure to sign the contract would mean they are dismissed. I will be going to the meeting with her tomorrow as support. A few points i wonder if anyone could advise me on?: I have advised her to give some further offer of availability to show willing, and to draw a line and no futher. But can they ask for further offers of availability despite seemingly accepting what she offered when looking at initial redundancies? Can they make redundancies in the first step, and then in phase 2 (i.e. now) threaten dismall with no redundancy? In my mind there's nothing different to when asking people to change their hours to suit the business in July and doing it again a second time now. I have suggested she writes a flexible working request as she is unavailble 3 days a week due to caring for my child and hand it to her manager in the meeting tomorrow. Is this worth her doing or likely to cause problems? Basically, if she refuses to say she's available for all of the store opening times/dates and they dismiss her for this (as in give her a new contract which she doesn't accept) is this legal and does she have any avenues of recourse? Any advice appreciated.

I'm currently on the receiving end of a S21 notice, and I'm trying to find out if I have grounds to contest this. I moved into a flat in 2001. The landlord wasn't really bothered about being a landlord, so he didn't do any of the expected things, like gas certificates or maintenance. TBH this wasn't a problem as the rent was very low, and I'm a pretty practical guy, so I was happy to look after the place, and renovated it from top to bottom. The place is an awful lot nicer than when I moved in. I could go literally 5 years without so much as speaking to him on the phone. He's moved several times without notifying me of a new address, all I've ever had is a mobile phone number. This was the days before deposits had to be protected, so I didn't worry about that. This was a periodic tenancy from the start, not a fixed term that rolled into a statutory periodic tenancy. In 2009 we met and he put the rent up by a small amount. I agreed to this as it was a pretty modest increase. Nothing was written down, definitely no Section 13 notice, but I started paying the higher amount straight away. There was nothing in the original AST about varying the rent. My question is whether this should be regarded as a variation of the old tenancy agreement, or a new agreement. This is significant as if it is a new agreement, then he needed to put the deposit into a protection scheme. If not, then I can't defend the S21 on that basis. At the time I was unaware of the distinction between the two and the implications if our arrangement all went south - as it has done now. What would the characteristics be of a new agreement versus a variation of an old one? How strong is my argument that he should have protected the deposit as we effectively had a new agreement post-2009? Thanks for the help.

I'm not sure how much I can do on this but I need to ask if there is something I can do. In February this year I was caught speeding on a motorway that had a restricted 50mph speed limit on it. I was caught at the end of the restricted zone doing +-62mph. Documents were sent to me that I duly completed admitting my guilt and these were returned in time apart from my licence and counterpart that I couldn't find at the time. As I was due to go on holiday the following day I felt that it could wait till I returned before I sent it. The fine of £100 was paid electronically. In about June, I received a cheque for £100 from the court whom I contacted to be informed that the money was returned as they had not received my Licence and counterpart and that I must now wait for more papers. As you can see I forgot about the licence when I returned from holiday. After searching again I couldn't find the offending items and so I asked for duplicates from the DVLA which I received. The next set of documents arrived which were duly completed along with a statement of my mitigating circumstances as above and I enclosed the new licence and counterpart. A couple of days ago I received notice from the court that my fine was now £700 with a £70 victim surcharge and £85 costs a total of £855!! This is a large increase from the original fine of £100 and all because I failed to send in my licence. I had completed the original documents, I had paid the fine, I had completed the next set of documents, I sent in my licence and now I have a fine that is, in my opinion, out of context with the original offence. I have spoken to and now written to the court to ask why this has happened and the reasons for it and have asked for that fine to be reviewed. I have also asked the court to hold the Enforcement Notice. The fine was due to be paid on the 1st. October. Does anyone have any other way that I can appeal this vast increase for something which is fairly easy to have been resolved. All they had to do was to send me a reminder for the licence and it would have been done. Thank you in advance. Alan.

BT has warned millions of customers it is increasing its prices by up to 6.5% from December this year. It will increase the line rental for direct debit customers by 6.25% to £16.99, and the rate for calling UK landlines by 6.44%, while the pence per minute (ppm) rate for calls to UK landlines and 0870 numbers will go up 6.44% from 9p a minute to 9.58p. The set-up fee for landline calls will increase from 15p to 15.97p, residential calls to the Timeline speaking clock will go up from 36.6p to 38.97p and call return will increase from 19.9p to 21.19p. Broadband prices are going up by as much as 6.49% http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28902300

Hi Guys, Sorry I got a letter from aqua a week ago saying they are going to increase my credit limit to £1750 from £1000. As my car has just badly failed the MOT i thought this was ideal. The letter stated contact them if I do not wish to increase my limit. So I looked at the beginning of the week, and sure enough my limit was £1750 I then paid off a bill onto it. Today, i came to pay for some car repairs and it got declined twice. On checking my balance, not only has my limit miraculously been put back to £1000, I have been charged an over limit fee!!! Before I call them, what rights do I have? Surely I needed some notice before a decrease? I haven't spent on the card since I got the letter until I checked my balance was increased at which point I paid the debt (put me £20 or so over £1000). Any help would be much appreciated.

Can the Open University increase its fees after a module has started. Student finance has just sent me a letter saying they have and my loan adjusted accordingly

At first glance the letter I just received was a simply change of conditions to a basic Co-Op Cashminder account I've had for years. Then alarm bells started ringing. Back in 2006 the OFT decided that £12 was a MAXIMUM charge for standard bank charges like unpaid DD, overlimit and so on. The banks decided that £12 was the new rate, not a maximum, and have yet to prove the actual cost - hence people still reclaiming unlawful charges. Look at the copy letter and you'll see that the Co-Op intend to increase their unpaid item fee to £15. The seem to say that this is because the FCA is now responsible for consumer credit business, not the OFT. I don't go overdrawn and don't have any direct debits that would cause me personally to incur the revised fee, but how do they justify the price hike? The ruling obtained by the OFT is still in place - isn't it ? Or did I miss something... ? [ATTACH=CONFIG]51792[/ATTACH]

JTI are increasing prices on some brands again, B & H, Silk Cut to mention two brands. No idea what size increase it will be but suspect at least 25p per 20. Date of increase 8 May 2014. Notification also received some brands will be reducing in size to 19's - Sterling for one, keeps them in line with JPS & Richmond brands by Imperial. More & more will be reducing in size.

HI everyone, I couldn't find anything similar to this, so apologies if this has been answered before. We are currently living in a private rented house where we rent through a letting agent. We have been in the house almost 3 years now with no problems at all until the end of last year when the letting agent tried to get us to sign a renewal and pay them £120 for the privelege. We refused to pay the charges and told the landlord, they were quite happy as they didnt agree with the charges either. UNfortunately things went downhill. The agents became increasingly insistent and when I sent them an email asking them for an explanation as to why their charges were so high they didn't give us an answer. The contract renewal went unsigned and we started into a SPT until the landlady asked us if we could at least return the renewal for the sake of her mortgage or she would have to evict. We sent off the forms but now some months later the letting agents are saying that they didn't receive them and now they want to issue a new renewal with a rent increase. They say because we haven't got a signed contract then they are at liberty to put the rent up even if the original renewal had no rent increase. I have a copy of the original renewal they sent through last year on email and I think they are trying to use an increase in rent to get their renewal fee that we refused to pay. I'm also considering whether we should use the legislation of superstrike v Rodrigues to try and show the landlady that if she tries to get a rent increase with the letting agents that we may take action against her for not issuing us with new details regarding the security deposit when the Stautory periodic tenancy began. All we really want is to carry on renting the house and maintain a good relationship with the owners but we refuse to be ripped off by them or the letting agents. Can anyone offer some advice?

It is easier to read it here:- http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/874/made “SCHEDULE 1Fees to be taken Column 1 Number and description of fee Column 2 Amount of fee (a) The CPR is defined in the Civil Proceedings Fees Order 2008 S.I. 2008/1053 as meaning the Civil Procedure Rules 1998. (b) 1974 c.47 as amended by section 177 and Part 1 of Schedule 16 of the Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29). © 1985 c. 6. (d) 2006 c. 46. (e) 1986 c. 45. (f) Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986 was inserted by the Enterprise Act 2002 (c.40) section 248(2) and Schedule 12. (g) Schedule A1 to the Insolvency Act 1986 was inserted by the Insolvency Act 2000 (c.39) section 1, Schedule 1, paragraphs 1 and 4. (h) 2012 c. 10. (i) S.I .1993/2073 as amended by S.I 2001/1386. (j) 1878 c.31. (k) 1882 c.43. (l) 1996. c.23.” 1 Starting proceedings (High Court and County Court) 1.1 On starting proceedings (including proceedings issued after permission to issue is granted but excluding CCBC cases brought by Centre users or cases brought by Money Claim OnLine users) to recover a sum of money where the sum claimed: (a) does not exceed £300; £35 (b) exceeds £300 but does not exceed £500; £50 © exceeds £500 but does not exceed £1,000; £70 (d) exceeds £1,000 but does not exceed £1,500; £80 (e) exceeds £1,500 but does not exceed £3,000; £115 (f) exceeds £3,000 but does not exceed £5,000; £205 (g) exceeds £5,000 but does not exceed £15,000; £455 (h) exceeds £15,000 but does not exceed £50,000; £610 (i) exceeds £50,000 but does not exceed £100,000; £910 (j) exceeds £100,000 but does not exceed £150,000; £1,115 (k) exceeds £150,000 but does not exceed £200,000; £1,315 (l) exceeds £200,000 but does not exceed £250,000; £1,515 (m) exceeds £250,000 but does not exceed £300,000; £1,720 (n) exceeds £300,000 or is not limited. £1,920 1.2 On starting proceedings to recover a sum of money in CCBC cases brought by Centre users, where the sum claimed: (a) does not exceed £300; £25 (b) exceeds £300 but does not exceed £500; £35 © exceeds £500 but does not exceed £1,000; £60 (d) exceeds £1,000 but does not exceed £1,500; £70 (e) exceeds £1,500 but does not exceed £3,000; £105 (f) exceeds £3,000 but does not exceed £5,000; £185 (g) exceeds £5,000 but does not exceed £15,000; £410 (h) exceeds £15,000 but does not exceed £50,000; £550 (i) exceeds £50,000 but does not exceed £100,000. £815 1.3 On starting proceedings to recover a sum of money brought by Money Claim OnLine users where the sum claimed: (a) does not exceed £300; £25 (b) exceeds £300 but does not exceed £500; £35 © exceeds £500 but does not exceed £1,000; £60 (d) exceeds £1,000 but does not exceed £1,500; £70 (e) exceeds £1,500 but does not exceed £3,000; £105 (f) exceeds £3,000 but does not exceed £5,000; £185 (g) exceeds £5,000 but does not exceed £15,000; £410 (h) exceeds £15,000 but does not exceed £50,000; £550 (i) exceeds £50,000 but does not exceed £100,000. £815 Fees 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3. Where the claimant is making a claim for interest on a specified sum of money, the amount on which the fee is calculated is the total amount of the claim and the interest. 1.4 On starting proceedings for the recovery of land: (a) in the High Court; £480 (b) in the County Court, other than where fee 1.4© applies; £280 © using the Possession Claims Online website. £250 1.5 On starting proceedings for any other remedy (including proceedings issued after permission to issue is granted): in the High Court; £480 in the County Court. £280 Fees 1.1, 1.4 and 1.5. Recovery of land or goods. Where a claim for money is additional or alternative to a claim for recovery of land or goods, only fee 1.4 or 1.5 is payable. Fees 1.1 and 1.5. Claims other than recovery of land or goods. Where a claim for money is additional to a non money claim (other than a claim for recovery of land or goods), then fee 1.1 is payable in addition to fee 1.5. Where a claim for money is alternative to a non money claim (other than a claim for recovery of land or goods), only fee 1.1 is payable in the High Court, and, in the County Court, whichever is greater of fee 1.1 or fee 1.5 is payable. Fees 1.1 and 1.5. Where more than one non money claim is made in the same proceedings, fee 1.5 is payable once only, in addition to any fee which may be payable under fee 1.1. Fees 1.1 and 1.5 are not payable where fee 1.8(b), fee 1.9(a), fee 3 or fee 10.1 applies. Fees 1.1 and 1.5. Amendment of claim or counterclaim. Where the claim or counterclaim is amended, and the fee paid before amendment is less than that which would have been payable if the document, as amended, had been so drawn in the first instance, the party amending the document must pay the difference. 1.6 On the filing of proceedings against a party or parties not named in the proceedings. £50 Fee 1.6 is payable by a defendant who adds or substitutes a party or parties to the proceedings or by a claimant who adds or substitutes a defendant or defendants. 1.7 On the filing of a counterclaim. The same fee as if the remedy sought were the subject of separate proceedings No fee is payable on a counterclaim which a defendant is required to make under rule 57.8 of the CPR(a) (requirement to serve a counterclaim if a defendant makes a claim or seeks a remedy in relation to a grant of probate of a will, or letters of administration of an estate, of a deceased person). 1.8(a) On an application for permission to issue proceedings. £50 (b) On an application for an order under Part 3 of the Solicitors Act 1974(b) for the assessment of costs payable to a solicitor by a client or on starting costs-only proceedings. £50 1.9(a) For permission to apply for judicial review. £140 1.9(b) On request to reconsider at a hearing a decision on permission £350 Where fee 1.9(b) has been paid and permission has been granted at a hearing, the amount payable under fee 1.9© is £350. Where the court has made an order giving permission to proceed with a claim for judicial review, there is payable by the claimant within 7 days of service on the claimant of that order: 1.9© if the judicial review procedure has been started. £700 1.9(d) if the claim for judicial review was started otherwise than by using the judicial review procedure. £140 2 General Fees (High Court and County Court) 2.1 On the claimant filing a pre-trial check list (listing questionnaire); or where the court fixes the trial date or trial week without the need for a pre-trial check list; or where the claim is on the small claims track, within 14 days of the date of despatch of the notice (or the date when oral notice is given if no written notice is given) of the trial week or the trial date if no trial week is fixed a fee payable for the hearing of: (a) a case on the multi-track; £1,090 (b) a case on the fast track; £545 © a case on the small claims track where the sum claimed: (i) does not exceed £300; £25 (ii) exceeds £300 but does not exceed £500; £55 (iii) exceeds £500 but does not exceed £1,000; £80 (iv) exceeds £1,000 but does not exceed £1,500; £115 (v) exceeds £1,500 but does not exceed £3,000; £170 (vi) exceeds £3,000. £335 Fee 2.1 is payable by the claimant except where the action is proceeding on the counterclaim alone, when it is payable by the defendant: or within 14 days of the date of despatch of the notice (or the date when oral notice is given if no written notice is given) of the trial week or the trial date if no trial week is fixed. Where a case is on the multi-track or fast track and, after a hearing date has been fixed, the court receives notice in writing from the party who paid the hearing fee that the case has been settled or discontinued then the following percentages of the hearing fee will be refunded: (i) 100% if the court is notified more than 28 days before the hearing; (ii) 75% if the court is notified between 15 and 28 days before the hearing; (iii) 50% if the court is notified between 7 and 14 days before the hearing. Where a case is on the small claims track and, after a hearing date has been fixed, the court receives notice in writing from the party who paid the hearing fee, at least 7 days before the date set for the hearing, that the case has been settled or discontinued the hearing fee will be refunded in full. Fee 2.1 is not payable in respect of a case where the court fixed the hearing date on the issue of the claim. 2.2 In the High Court on filing: £240 an appellant’s notice: or a respondent’s notice where the respondent is appealing or wishes to ask the appeal court to uphold the order of the lower court for reasons different from or additional to those given by the lower court. 2.3 In the County Court on filing: an appellant’s notice, or a respondent’s notice where the respondent is appealing or wishes to ask the appeal court to uphold the order of the lower court for reasons different from or additional to those given by the lower court: (a) in a claim allocated to the small claims track; £120 (b) in all other claims. £140 Fees 2.2 and 2.3 do not apply on appeals against a decision made in detailed assessment proceedings. 2.4 On an application on notice where no other fee is specified. £155 2.5 On an application by consent or without notice where no other fee is specified. £50 For the purpose of fee 2.5 a request for a judgment or order on admission or in default does not constitute an application and no fee is payable. Fee 2.5 is not payable in relation to an application by consent for an adjournment of a hearing where the application is received by the court at least 14 days before the date set for that hearing. Fees 2.4 and 2.5 are not payable when an application is made in an appeal notice or is filed at the same time as an appeal notice. 2.6 On an application for a summons or order for a witness to attend court to be examined on oath or an order for evidence to be taken by deposition, other than an application for which fee 7.2 or 8.3 is payable. £50 2.7 On an application to vary a judgment or suspend enforcement, including an application to suspend a warrant of possession. £50 Where more than one remedy is sought in the same application only one fee is payable. 2.8 Register of judgments, orders and fines kept under section 98 of the Courts Act 2003: On a request for the issue of a certificate of satisfaction. £15 3 Companies Act 1985, Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986 (High Court and County Court) 3.1 On entering a bankruptcy petition: (a) if presented by a debtor or the personal representative of a deceased debtor; £180 (b) if presented by a creditor or other person. £280 3.2 On entering a petition for an administration order. £280 3.3 On entering any other petition. £280 One fee only is payable where more than one petition is presented in relation to a partnership. 3.4(a) On a request for a certificate of discharge from bankruptcy; £70 (b) after the first certificate, for each copy. £10 3.5 On an application under the Companies Act 1985©, the Companies Act 2006(d) or the Insolvency Act 1986(e) other than one brought by petition and where no other fee is specified. £160 Fee 3.5 is not payable where the application is made in existing proceedings. 3.6 On an application for the conversion of a voluntary arrangement into a winding up or bankruptcy under Article 37 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1346/2000. £160 3.7 On an application, for the purposes of Council Regulation (EC) No 1346/2000, for an order confirming creditors’ voluntary winding up (where the company has passed a resolution for voluntary winding up, and no declaration under section 89 of the Insolvency Act 1986 has been made). £50 3.8 On filing: £50 a notice of intention to appoint an administrator under paragraph 14 of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986(f) or in accordance with paragraph 27 of that Schedule; or a notice of appointment of an administrator in accordance with paragraphs 18 or 29 of that Schedule. Where a person pays fee 3.8 on filing a notice of intention to appoint an administrator, no fee is payable on that same person filing a notice of appointment of that administrator. 3.9 On submitting a nominee’s report under section 2(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986. £50 3.10 On filing documents in accordance with paragraph 7(1) of Schedule A1(g) to the Insolvency Act 1986. £50 3.11 On an application by consent or without notice within existing proceedings where no other fee is specified. £50 3.12 On an application with notice within existing proceedings where no other fee is specified. £155 3.13 On a search in person of the bankruptcy and companies records, in the County Court. £45 Requests and applications with no fee: No fee is payable on a request or on an application to the Court by the Official Receiver when applying only in the capacity of Official Receiver to the case (and not as trustee or liquidator), or on an application to set aside a statutory demand. 4 Copy Documents (Court of Appeal, High Court and County Court) 4.1 On a request for a copy of a document (other than where fee 4.2 applies): (a) for ten pages or less; £10 (b) for each subsequent page. 50p Note: The fee payable under fee 4.1 includes: where the court allows a party to fax to the court for the use of that party a document that has not been requested by the court and is not intended to be placed on the court file; where a party requests that the court fax a copy of a document from the court file; and where the court provides a subsequent copy of a document which it has previously provided. 4.2 On a request for a copy of a document on a computer disk or in other electronic form, for each such copy. £10 5 Determination of costs (Senior Court and County Court) Fee 5 does not apply to the determination in the Senior Courts of costs incurred in the Court of Protection. 5.1 On the filing of a request for detailed assessment where the party filing the request is legally aided, is funded by the Legal Aid Agency or is a person for whom civil legal services have been made available under arrangements made by the Lord Chancellor under Part 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012(h) and no other party is ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings. £200 5.2 On the filing of a request for detailed assessment in any case where fee 5.1 does not apply; or on the filing of a request for a hearing date for the assessment of costs payable to a solicitor by a client pursuant to an order under Part 3 of the Solicitors Act 1974 where the amount of the costs claimed: (a) does not exceed £15,000; £335 (b) exceeds £15,000 but does not exceed £50,000; £675 © exceeds £50,000 but does not exceed £100,000; £1,005 (d) exceeds £100,000 but does not exceed £150,000; £1,345 (e) exceeds £150,000 but does not exceed £200,000; £1,680 (f) exceeds £200,000 but does not exceed £300,000; £2,520 (g) exceeds £300,000 but does not exceed £500,000; £4,200 (h) exceeds £500,000. £5,600 Where there is a combined party and party and legal aid, or a combined party and party and Legal Aid Agency, or a combined party and party and Lord Chancellor, or a combined party and party and one or more of legal aid, Legal Aid Agency or Lord Chancellor determination of costs, fee 5.2 will be attributed proportionately to the party and party, legal aid, Legal Aid Agency or Lord Chancellor (as the case may be) portions of the bill on the basis of the amount allowed. 5.3 On a request for the issue of a default costs certificate. £60 5.4 On commencing an appeal against a decision made in detailed assessment proceedings. £210 5.5 On a request or application to set aside a default costs certificate. £110 6 Determination in the Senior Courts of costs incurred in the Court of Protection 6.1 On the filing of a request for detailed assessment: (a) where the amount of the costs to be assessed (excluding VAT and disbursements) does not exceed £3,000; £115 (b) in all other cases. £225 6.2 On an appeal against a decision made in detailed assessment proceedings. £65 6.3 On a request or application to set aside a default costs certificate. £65 7 Enforcement in the High Court 7.1 On sealing a writ of control/possession/delivery. £60 Where the recovery of a sum of money is sought in addition to a writ of possession and delivery, no further fee is payable. 7.2 On an application for an order requiring a judgment debtor or other person to attend court to provide information in connection with enforcement of a judgment or order. £50 7.3(a) On an application for a third party debt order or the appointment of a receiver by way of equitable execution. £100 (b) On an application for a charging order. £100 Fee 7.3(a) is payable in respect of each third party against whom the order is sought. Fee 7.3(b) is payable in respect of each charging order applied for. 7.4 On an application for a judgment summons. £100 7.5 On a request or application to register a judgment or order, or for permission to enforce an arbitration award, or for a certificate or a certified copy of a judgment or order for use abroad. £60 8 Enforcement in the County Court 8.1 On an application for or in relation to enforcement of a judgment or order of the County Court or through the County Court, by the issue of a warrant of control against goods except a warrant to enforce payment of a fine: (a) in cases other than CCBC cases; £100 (b) in CCBC cases. £70 8.2 On a request for a further attempt at execution of a warrant at a new address following a notice of the reason for non-execution (except a further attempt following suspension and CCBC cases brought by Centre users). £30 8.3 On an application for an order requiring a judgment debtor or other person to attend court to provide information in connection with enforcement of a judgment or order. £50 8.4(a) On an application for a third party debt order or the appointment of a receiver by way of equitable execution. £100 (b) On an application for a charging order. £100 Fee 8.4(a) is payable in respect of each third party against whom the order is sought. Fee 8.4(b) is payable in respect of each charging order applied for. 8.5 On an application for a judgment summons. £100 8.6 On the issue of a warrant of possession or a warrant of delivery. £110 Where the recovery of a sum of money is sought in addition, no further fee is payable. 8.7 On an application for an attachment of earnings order (other than a consolidated attachment of earnings order) to secure payment of a judgment debt. £100 Fee 8.7 is payable for each defendant against whom an order is sought. Fee 8.7 is not payable where the attachment of earnings order is made on the hearing of a judgment summons. 8.8 On a consolidated attachment of earnings order or on an administration order. For every £1 or part of a £1 of the money paid into court in respect of debts due to creditors - 10p Fee 8.8 is calculated on any money paid into court under any order at the rate in force at the time when the order was made (or, where the order has been amended, at the time of the last amendment before the date of payment). 8.9 On an application for the enforcement of an award for a sum of money or other decision made by any court, tribunal, body or person other than the High Court or the County Court. £40 8.10 On a request for an order to recover a sum that is: a specified debt within the meaning of the Enforcement of Road Traffic Debts Order 1993(i); or £7 pursuant to an enactment, treated as a specified debt for the purposes of that Order. No fee is payable on: an application for an extension of time to serve a statutory declaration or a witness statement in connection with any such order; or a request to issue a warrant of control to enforce any such order. 8A Service in the County Court 8A.1 On a request for service by a bailiff of an order to attend court for questioning. £100 9 Sale (County Court only) 9.1 For removing or taking steps to remove goods to a place of deposit. The reasonable expenses incurred Fee 9.1 is to include the reasonable expenses of feeding and caring for any animals. 9.2 For the appraisement of goods. 5p in the £1 or part of a £1 of the appraised value 9.3 For the sale of goods (including advertisements, catalogues, sale and commission and delivery of goods). 15p in the £1 or part of a £1 on the amount realised by the sale or such other sum as the district judge may consider to be justified in the circumstances 9.4 Where no sale takes place by reason of an execution being withdrawn, satisfied or stopped. (a) 10p in the £1 or part of a £1 on the value of the goods seized, the value to be the appraised value where the goods have been appraised or such other sum as the district judge may consider to be justified in the circumstances; and in addition (b) any sum payable under fee 9.1 and 9.2. FEES PAYABLE IN HIGH COURT ONLY 10 Miscellaneous proceedings or matters Bills of Sale 10.1 On filing any document under the Bills of Sale Act 1878(j) and the Bills of Sale Act (1878) Amendment Act 1882(k) or on an application under section 15 of the Bills of Sale Act 1878 for an order that a memorandum of satisfaction be written on a registered copy of the bill. £25 Searches 10.2 For an official certificate of the result of a search for each name, in any register or index held by the court; or in the Court Funds Office, for an official certificate of the result of a search of unclaimed balances for a specified period of up to 50 years. £45 10.3 On a search in person of the court’s records, including inspection, for each 15 minutes or part of 15 minutes. £10 Judge sitting as arbitrator 10.4 On the appointment of: (a) a judge of the Commercial Court as an arbitrator or umpire under section 93 of the Arbitration Act 1996(l); or £2,455 (b) a judge of the Technology and Construction Court as an arbitrator or umpire under section 93 of the Arbitration Act 1996. £2,455 10.5 For every day or part of a day (after the first day) of the hearing before: (a) a judge of the Commercial Court; or £2,455 (b) a judge of the Technology and Construction Court, so appointed as arbitrator or umpire. £2,455 Where fee 10.4 has been paid on the appointment of a judge of the Commercial Court or a judge of the Technology and Construction Court as an arbitrator or umpire but the arbitration does not proceed to a hearing or an award, the fee will be refunded. 11 Fees payable in Admiralty matters In the Admiralty Registrar and Marshal’s Office: 11.1 On the issue of a warrant for the arrest of a ship or goods. £225 11.2 On the sale of a ship or goods Subject to a minimum fee of £205: (a) for every £100 or fraction of £100 of the price up to £100,000; £1 (b) for every £100 or fraction of £100 of the price exceeding £100,000. 50p Where there is sufficient proceeds of sale in court, fee 11.2 will be payable by transfer from the proceeds of sale in court. 11.3 On entering a reference for hearing by the Registrar. £70 FEES PAYABLE IN HIGH COURT AND COURT OF APPEAL ONLY 12 Affidavits 12.1 On taking an affidavit or an affirmation or attestation upon honour in lieu of an affidavit or a declaration except for the purpose of receipt of dividends from the Accountant General and for a declaration by a shorthand writer appointed in insolvency proceedings: for each person making any of the above. £11 12.2 For each exhibit referred to in an affidavit, affirmation, attestation or declaration for which fee 12.1 is payable. £2 FEES PAYABLE IN COURT OF APPEAL ONLY 13 Fees payable in appeals to the Court of Appeal 13.1(a) Where in an appeal notice, permission to appeal or an extension of time for appealing is applied for (or both are applied for): £235 on filing an appellant’s notice; or where the respondent is appealing, on filing a respondent’s notice. 13.1(b) Where permission to appeal is not required or has been granted by the lower court: £465 on filing an appellant’s notice, or on filing a respondent’s notice where the respondent is appealing. 13.1© On the appellant filing an appeal questionnaire (unless the appellant has paid fee 13.1(b), or the respondent filing an appeal questionnaire (unless the respondent has paid fee 13.1(b)). £465 13.2 On filing a respondent’s notice where the respondent wishes to ask the appeal court to uphold the order of the lower court for reasons different from or additional to those given by the lower court. £235 13.3 On filing an application notice. £235 Fee 13.3 is not payable for an application made in an appeal notice. EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order) This Order amends the Civil Proceedings Fees Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1053). It increases fees payable in civil proceedings as set out in the Explanatory Memorandum, which is published at www.legislation.gov.uk. If the fee has been paid for a request to reconsider at a hearing a decision on permission to bring a judicial review and permission is subsequently granted at a hearing, only half of the judicial review fee is then payable. Fee 2 (General Fees (High Courts and County Court) has been changed to remove fees payable on filing a directions questionnaire, receipt of a notice of allocation and filing a pre-trial checklist. References to the county courts have been changed to reflect the introduction of the single County Court. This Order replaces the entire schedule of fees payable in civil proceedings in the Court of Appeal, High Court and County Court. A full impact assessment is also annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum. (1) 2003 c.39. Section 92 was amended by sections 15(1) and 59, paragraphs 308 and 345 of Schedule 4 Part 1 and paragraph 4 of Schedule 11 Part 2 to the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c.4) and sections 17(5) and 17(6), paragraph 40(a) of Schedule 9 Part 2 and paragraphs 83 and 95 of Schedule 10 Part 2 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22). (2) 1986 c. 45. (3) S.I. 2008/1053. Schedule 1 was substituted by S.I. 2013/1410 and amended by S.I. 2014/590. Previous Next Back to top All content is available under the Open Government Licence v2.0 except where otherwise stated

Hello, My landlord has asked for increase in rent now that my 6 month fix term has come to a end. My questions is how much notice does he need to give me? https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/rent-increases "Your landlord must give you a minimum of one month’s notice (if you pay rent weekly or monthly). If you have a yearly tenancy, they must give you 6 months’ notice. " I can see from gov.uk but I paid for my rent upfront so how much notice do i need?

Hi, I currently pay £775 a month in rent to my landlord, they are a property company and own lots of houses. My tenancy is due to end the 24th January. I completely forgot and first call I get about it is today from one of the admin girls at my landlords office. She says to me they need to increase the rent by 4% to £806 a month. This seems like a massive increase to me, I understand and will accept an inflationary increase but I just want to understand my rights as a tenant and wether I just ave to grin and bear it or if I can negotiate. I've had a look on right move and in my area 2 bed properties similar to mine are going for £795 a month. I'd be happy to pay this. How can I negotiate this with the landlord? I've returfed the lawn as well out of my own pocket, surely this could be taken into account? Also I think I read somewhere they have to give me a months notice in writing before increasing the rent, this hasn't happened as they want to get me to sign paperwork this wednesday? Many thanks in advance Blinky

Ofwat, the water regulator, has confirmed that it has turned down Thames Water's request to increase customer bills by up to 8% next year. Thames had asked to add an extra £29, or 8%, to the annual average household bill for 2014-15. But the regulator has ruled that it must stick to a 1.4%-above-inflation maximum rise, set in the latest price review. The company said it was reviewing the decision carefully. It has the option to appeal against the decision to the Competition Commission. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24864714

hi all paying back 5 per week as agreed 3 yrs ago now want 18 per week can they do this letter late so starting from monday