Jump to content


  • Tweets

  • Posts

    • Make sure the WS is sent 14 days before the hearing. You can e-mail the court theirs.  In the subject line put the case number, the names of the parties and "Witness Statement".  Obviously click on "Return Receipt". Send Simple Simon his by 2nd class post - all VCS are worth - and get a free Certificate of Posting from the post office.
    • The outlet is in Camden Town and was set up in 2006, a year after my husband established the business, in addition to selling at exhibitions, online, shows, events, and having licensing agreements in some places overseas.  The only thing I have stopped doing since I got ill is the physical stuff, which I’m working on. The business has not changed name or anything like that either. I’m not sure where the original contract with Camden is but the management must still have it. My husband died in Jan 2017, and until Sept 2018, I would take the stock in every week; after that I was sending it in by post. I went in now and then when possible to re-do the display but that was about it. No one had access to any files until 2020. Moved house in 2020 thought would have to pull it all, Covid had just hit as well. The person in question said he would be interested in taking over and paying the rent etc. so I said I would let him sell the pictures for nothing as long as he would ‘keep it warm’ for me.  Obviously, everywhere was closed for lockdown. During this time I was working out how to go forward.  In May 2022 I told him I couldn’t  give anything away for free anymore, and put in place the wholesale agreement.  I’ve disregarded any discrepancies from before this date. I sent over the jpgs electronically, so I’ve still got them too. He hasn’t got any original files like .psds negatives or memory cards etc, I’ve got proof of all ownership/copyright. A co-op is whereby a small number of neighbours work on a rotational basis so they each of them can have time off, that way everyone doesn’t need to be there at the same time, he had never been an employee of mine.  The only reason I allowed him to have the files in the first place as I didn’t want to lose that side of the business.  It’s a good, constant source of income. However, the rent was becoming crippling as I believed there was something fishy going on well before this as there’s so much cash dealt with there, and I couldn’t go in regularly in person, and I’m sure sales weren’t being recorded properly and cash was being pocketed. My husband was too busy to be doing any stock control properly, he wasn't really into paperwork, and the guy who was ‘helping’ me after my husband's death, was making things very difficult for me to implement a solid stock control system by refusing to co-operate on simple things like using email etc. which I thought was a smokescreen, so I severed ties with him just before I made the agreement in question. I sent about 100 images, jpg files, sent via We Transfer. I’ve got the confirmation of which files were sent with dates. I will have to go through closed bank accounts and previous tax returns to get a proper estimate.   Before I made this agreement, I was selling retail there, this is a wholesale agreement so I’ll have to do some calculations but it is definitely in the thousands.  I haven’t got his his home address, and I don't think he's got any sizeable assets. I’m also worried that he might send the files overseas and start selling them there. I know he’s not stupid enough to sell them online. He knows for sure how serious this is, but he’s been chancing it and thinks I’m stupid, if not soft and stupid. I don’t know if this would work but I am thinking that when he does contact me, I tell him we need to talk, tell him I know what he’s been up to, and strongly urge him not to order any more prints from wherever he is having them printed because it will make things much worse for him if he does. Then when I do tell him about the gravity of the situation, maybe a few days later, I think it will scare him into complying because the consequences definitely trump the few quid he thinks he is saving by getting his own printing done. Tell him an amount that I want back for lost revenue, and make it clear that if he doesn’t destroy the files and if I find out he is still doing it at any point down the line, I will seek prosecution for copyright infringement and fraud, which I will. I don’t know how I can enforce any of this without involving the courts though. I will be able to tell, though, and he will know this. And the only reason I am doing this now rather than before, is that I couldn’t prove anything until now.  It was screamingly obvious from the beginning though, as he wasn’t ordering enough from me to pay the rent, let alone make a profit. If I decided to come down like him lie a ton of bricks straight away, how would I go about a cease and desist, would I have to get one from the court? And what do I do about the stock he currently holds? It has also occurred to me that he might file for bankruptcy or similar if things get heavy, where would that leave me? I could put the feelers out for a brand-new person to take it on, obviously without giving them access to files, that is an option. But that comes with its own set of issues. Also, would there be any implications for me, if I kept quiet for now? Let him order again from me as if nothing has happened, as it will be any day and I want to get all my ducks in a row first ideally….   Thanks again
    • I’ve also just realised their online website they’ve got 12 photographs of my vehicle, including close ups of the inside?? Not sure why that’s relevant.  The time stamp on the first photo is 13:57, the PCN incident time is 14:12. 
    • I’m tempted to send a letter to the company outlining the reasons why I think their PCN is illegitimate. I guess will technically be an appeal.  Their documentation states they won’t discuss over phone, I also don’t want them to have my email address.    re signage on entrance, having looked at land registry, the whole road is private, and when you turn into the road off the highway, there is a sign on the lamppost about 20m in, again not noticeable and on the other side of the road.  I feel like I am in a difficult position with this, I understand that I may have a good chance of not having to pay, but at the same token the stress this is already causing me makes me feel like it’s not worth the £60!
    • Well done with the photo. Of course the signage is insufficient.  PPM are not interested in competent management of a car park, they are interested in catching drivers out so they can issue their PCNs. For a start, according to their trade associations' Codes of Practice, they are supposed to have signage at the entrance. Any e-mail reply from the company and whether they will/won't/can/can't get the invoice cancelled?    
  • Our picks

    • If you are buying a used car – you need to read this survival guide.
      • 1 reply
    • Hello,

      On 15/1/24 booked appointment with Big Motoring World (BMW) to view a mini on 17/1/24 at 8pm at their Enfield dealership.  

      Car was dirty and test drive was two circuits of roundabout on entry to the showroom.  Was p/x my car and rushed by sales exec and a manager into buying the mini and a 3yr warranty that night, sale all wrapped up by 10pm.  They strongly advised me taking warranty out on car that age (2017) and confirmed it was honoured at over 500 UK registered garages.

      The next day, 18/1/24 noticed amber engine warning light on dashboard , immediately phoned BMW aftercare team to ask for it to be investigated asap at nearest garage to me. After 15 mins on hold was told only their 5 service centres across the UK can deal with car issues with earliest date for inspection in March ! Said I’m not happy with that given what sales team advised or driving car. Told an amber warning light only advisory so to drive with caution and call back when light goes red.

      I’m not happy to do this, drive the car or with the after care experience (a sign of further stresses to come) so want a refund and to return the car asap.

      Please can you advise what I need to do today to get this done. 
       

      Many thanks 
      • 81 replies
    • Housing Association property flooding. https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/topic/438641-housing-association-property-flooding/&do=findComment&comment=5124299
      • 161 replies
    • We have finally managed to obtain the transcript of this case.

      The judge's reasoning is very useful and will certainly be helpful in any other cases relating to third-party rights where the customer has contracted with the courier company by using a broker.
      This is generally speaking the problem with using PackLink who are domiciled in Spain and very conveniently out of reach of the British justice system.

      Frankly I don't think that is any accident.

      One of the points that the judge made was that the customers contract with the broker specifically refers to the courier – and it is clear that the courier knows that they are acting for a third party. There is no need to name the third party. They just have to be recognisably part of a class of person – such as a sender or a recipient of the parcel.

      Please note that a recent case against UPS failed on exactly the same issue with the judge held that the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 did not apply.

      We will be getting that transcript very soon. We will look at it and we will understand how the judge made such catastrophic mistakes. It was a very poor judgement.
      We will be recommending that people do include this adverse judgement in their bundle so that when they go to county court the judge will see both sides and see the arguments against this adverse judgement.
      Also, we will be to demonstrate to the judge that we are fair-minded and that we don't mind bringing everything to the attention of the judge even if it is against our own interests.
      This is good ethical practice.

      It would be very nice if the parcel delivery companies – including EVRi – practised this kind of thing as well.

       

      OT APPROVED, 365MC637, FAROOQ, EVRi, 12.07.23 (BRENT) - J v4.pdf
        • Like

Severn Trent - help please, just got huge bill!


style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 5941 days.

If you need to add something to this thread then

 

Please click the "Report " link

 

at the bottom of one of the posts.

 

If you want to post a new story then

Please

Start your own new thread

That way you will attract more attention to your story and get more visitors and more help 

 

Thanks

Recommended Posts

Hi, I hope someone can help here.... (sorry if it's long - it's a bit of a tricky situation!)

 

I moved into my flat in October 2006 - it's a flat above a shop, which was empty until around September last year. Not long after I moved here I received a letter from Severn Trent requesting a meter reading - and although the letter was addressed to my name, the address was actually that of the shop (the shop is number 2, my flat is number 2a).

 

I called Severn Trent at the time and explained, and they told me they didn't actually have the two registered as seperate properties - and basically both properties are sharing a water supply, with the meter in my bathroom.

 

I went to the letting agents who said they'd sort it - heard nothing more from Severn Trent, so I assumed (maybe stupidly!) that the owner of the shop (who is also my landlord) must be responsible for the water.

 

Until last week - when I received another letter from Severn Trent, addressed to MY name and the shop address again, requesting a meter reading. I got back on the phone to Severn Trent and explained yet AGAIN that I live at no. 2A, not number 2 - number 2 is a hairdressers and has been for about 6 months, and I'm certainly not paying THEIR water bill!

 

Yesterday I received a letter from Severn Trent saying the following....

 

Dear Sarah,

 

Thank you for your telephone call received 26 February 2008.

 

I have amended your account so that you are billed for the Water Service Charges for 2a ***********, *******. This property is billed for clean and used water on our Assessed Volume tariff. These charges are based on the average amount of water used by a sample of metered properties. We have worked out the average annual usage per property type and have therefore based you on our lowest band for a flat.

 

Thank you for keeping us informed, your help allows us to ensure our records are kept up to date.

 

Then TODAY I received a bill for £347.11 - for the period 14/10/2006 - 27/02/2008 - payable by, ummmm.... TOMORROW! Are they having a laugh?!:o

 

Does this amount sound right for water usage in a flat for 16 months? And why did they not update their records the FIRST time I called them, back in 2006? There's no way I can come up with that amount of money by tomorrow! HELP!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, I just got my water bill for 2008 (Thames Water) and it is £371, so £347 for 16 months doesn't seem excessive, actually.

 

As for the tomorrow deadline, write to them and say that you are prepared to pay X amount per month until it is paid off, and that since you told them back in 2006 about the issue and they did nothing about it, you expect them to be a little more accomodating. Also point out that it is ridiculous to send a bill for 16 months worth of water and realistically expect people to pay in full straight away.

 

You also need to get on to landlord/agent to make sure that your supply is no longer linked to the shop below or you are bound to have problems again in the future, I'd take a bet on that. ;-)

 

Let us know how you get on.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm just off to phone them to see what they say about me paying £20 a month - it doesn't sound a lot, but I'm going to have to pay the current water charges on top of that, and need to eat ASWELL as drink at the same time! :rolleyes:

Link to post
Share on other sites

Blimey - I just phoned them and they were actually quite helpful! I've agreed a payment plan of £48 per month (I haggled 'em down from £53!;) ) until the HUGE bill is paid off (that covers the water I'm using in the meantime too) then it should go down to "normal" monthly rates!

 

That's about what I was expecting to pay - and I didn't even have to put up much of a fight!

Link to post
Share on other sites

It would appear to me that your landlord has named you to the utilities as being the new tenant when in actual fact he is still responsible for the water charges.

 

I suggest you contact him at once & ask that he pay the bill until he resolves the matter of the seperate meters Then tell the utility company what you have done.

 

frankly you landlord sounds a bit of a scallywag & I would go & see a solicitor post haste

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the advice everyone. I actually think it may have been ME who told Severn Trent I lived here...:o The first bill I got was addressed to "The Occupier" at no. 2, but came through MY door, so I rang them, gave them my details, and said that I live at no. 2a - which is when they told me they didn't have them registered as seperate properties.

 

I'm going to get onto the letting agents and see what they say - they're normally pretty good, but JonCris I think you may be right about the landlord being a bit of a scallywag! I've been waiting for a new boiler for months and all I've had is a succession of plumbers coming out to look at the OLD one! (Despite lots of chasing up from me AND the letting agent!)

Link to post
Share on other sites

Get a water meter installed, it is your right, as you are responsible for paying the bill ( landlord cannot refuse ) its free and must be done within a short period of you applying for one. Then you know the bill is just for what use.

I have done this and my water charges went down from £800/year rateable to £175 mearsured.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 Caggers

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Have we helped you ...?


×
×
  • Create New...