Juzza / received a demand from Sherforce High Court Enforcement

[juzza999]

My husband has today received a demand for £1959 from Sherforce High Court Enforcement, after many phone calls it would seem tat we do owe £901 in unpaid utility (water) bill. We were told that a chrging order had been made against our property, we have received no paperwork from any court.

 

The letter received today says an enforcement officer has visited our propprty and impounded goods - THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED. Sherforce won't provide us with any court details, ie court order or reference number just demanded payment £1000 in charges and if we don't pay a further £720 plus vat will be added.

 

Yorkshire Water have told us that they decided against a charging order and passed the debt on to Sherforce, we have received no prior warnings of any kind.

 

Can anyone help? this surely is not legal

[maroondevo52]

Hello and Welcome, juzza.

 

I've added a bit to the title of your thread, you should get help shortly.

 

Regards.

 

Scott.

[ploddertom]

From memory this is now the 3rd of these within the last couple of weeks about Yorkshire Water. Did you receive the original Court documentation or is the first you have known about anything is when Sherforce have turned up.

 

PT

[juzza999]

Hi

This is the first we have heard of it the letter from Sherforce, I'm feeling really threatened after reading some of the other posts re Sherforce

[ploddertom]

I've asked someone who has been helping the others to have a look in, shouldn't be too long hopefully.

 

PT

[juzza999]

Thank you so nuch we really apreciate all your help

[wonkeydonkey]

Hi

 

I am the someone PT makes reference to, I have sent you a PM as I would like to keep some of what you can tell me out of sight from Sherforce.

 

WD

[juzza999]

I understand

[juzza999]

I will PM

[ploddertom]

Please remember that if you prevent the HCEO gaining access to your home or otherwise seizing goods outside - most notably a motor vehicle - you can render him ineffectual. This company are renowned for adding fees before anyone even leaves the office. You should have been left a Form 55 which will detail some of the monies they are claiming.

 

PT

[brassnecked]

Don't worry you are in safe hands with wonkydonkey and ploddertom, but don't post anything up that Sherfarce could read that may identify you.

[juzza999]

understood - all comments been really supportive feel a bit more positive now

[tomtubby]

Given the we are in the worst recession that the WORLD has ever witnessed, I am seriously worried at the way in which Yorkshire Water and OTHER WATER COMPANIES choose to enforce unpaid water bills by way of Sherforce.

 

It should be obvious to these water companies that non payment of a water bill is USUALLY because the debtor has got into financial difficulties!!

 

A CCJ has then been issued and if unpaid SHOULD be further evidence (if any were needed) that the debtor is unable to raise the money to pay the debt in full.

 

Therefore.....WHY do they pass the debt to a HIGH COURT ENFORCEMENT COMPANY !!! This course of action simply beggars belief and is certain to make the debtors financial position much worse.

[ploddertom]

Given the we are in the worst recession that the WORLD has ever witnessed, I am seriously worried at the way in which Yorkshire Water and OTHER WATER COMPANIES choose to enforce unpaid water bills by way of Sherforce.

 

It should be obvious to these water companies that non payment of a water bill is USUALLY because the debtor has got into financial difficulties!!

 

A CCJ has then been issued and if unpaid SHOULD be further evidence (if any were needed) that the debtor is unable to raise the money to pay the debt in full.

 

Therefore.....WHY do they pass the debt to a HIGH COURT ENFORCEMENT COMPANY !!! This course of action simply beggars belief and is certain to make the debtors financial position much worse.

 

Even more important in my view is that this is the 3rd case recently where the debtor knows nothing of any action until the HCEO turns up - makes me wonder how many more there are out there who don't have access to this site.

 

PT

[juzza999]

Thanks everyone - we going to try and get some sleep now, definately rest easier following all your posts, will check back tomorrow

[brassnecked]

Given the we are in the worst recession that the WORLD has ever witnessed, I am seriously worried at the way in which Yorkshire Water and OTHER WATER COMPANIES choose to enforce unpaid water bills by way of Sherforce.

 

It should be obvious to these water companies that non payment of a water bill is USUALLY because the debtor has got into financial difficulties!!

 

A CCJ has then been issued and if unpaid SHOULD be further evidence (if any were needed) that the debtor is unable to raise the money to pay the debt in full.

 

Therefore.....WHY do they pass the debt to a HIGH COURT ENFORCEMENT COMPANY !!! This course of action simply beggars belief and is certain to make the debtors financial position much worse.

 

A few years ago, I recall the Water companies, using court action and bailiffs as a first resort, and then when the people couldn't pay the inflated fees on top of the debt, they then put in a fresh start card meter, which was condemned by the courts, as it terminated a water supply remotely without a court order, the debtor was then effectively rationed as to their water like a token meter for electric,. they then had the prospect of days without water, and bailiffs chasing for fees. Severn Trent were enthusiastic users of Fresh Start along with DWR Cymru in the 1990's until they were banned in 1999.

 

Agreed, tomtubby and ploddertom, the use of Sherfarce to collect water debt is extremely worrying, perhaps a few applications for set aside or variation as the debtor's income is too low for them to afford the fees.might change their tiny cash grasping minds, or maybe the HCEO turning on the utility for their fees when that family on benefits have nothing for Sherforce to take, and it would take them 50 years to pay their fees off if at all. One issue is that people on benefits will be hit hard by this as Sherforce will still load the fees onto such vulnerable debtors. sorry for the rant but this is something I had to help several people with in the past.

 

This pdf on water poverty from 2002 makes interesting reading especially page 24 where vulnerable situatuations are discussed.

 

Water Poverty in England and Wales

Edited September 5, 2011 by brassnecked
extra information

[brassnecked]

Thanks everyone - we going to try and get some sleep now, definately rest easier following all your posts, will check back tomorrow

 

 

Sleep well and don't worry things can be sorted,