Ross and Roberts want to charge PCN Default Fee!!

[killagorrilla2]

Hi All,

 

I had a parking fine of £75.00 that went to Ross and Roberts to collect, but the cost rose to £174.04 with their charges etc. I didn't get a breakdown of their charges.

 

I didn't argue the case with the bailiff but agreed with him to pay £74.04 immediately and set up an agreement to pay 2 x £50 to settle the balance.

 

Unfortunately I missed the agreed payment date by 3 days but did make the £50 payment, but now they are trying to hit me with a £140.00 Default Charge for paying late.!!

 

Does this sound like I'm being shafted?

 

B.

[tomtubby]

Can you check whether they are charging a "default fee" or whether it is an "attending to remove" fee.

[killagorrilla2]

The bailiff telephoned me to say I had missed the agreed payment date to which I replied "I paid £50 online yesterday, please check with your office".

 

He called me back 10 minutes later and said the payment had been received yesterday but it was 3 days late so I would have to pay them £90 today to restart the agreement.

 

When I questioned him further he said that there was a default fee of £140.00 and they would take my £50 payment off that £140.00 leaving £90 to pay today to reset the agreement of £50 x 2 months to settle the debt.

[ploddertom]

Ask him which Rule or Regulation allows him to do this. You also want a full breakdown of fees & charges applied & have you checked to make sure he is suitably Certificated.

[killagorrilla2]

Thank you Ploddertom & Tomtubby for your speedy help.

 

I will be on to R&R first thing in the morning asking exactly what you suggest.

 

I have also just checked the Certification list and can't find this particular bailiff listed anywhere so that will also be a big focus of my questioning.

 

Am I right in assuming that without certification he would be working and levying illegally?

[ploddertom]

The online list is not always 100% up to date. I would ask which Court he obtained his Certificate from and contact them to ensure it was current when he attended you.

[killagorrilla2]

Ok I will find that out.

 

There is another area that they have made a big mistake on...they have levied on my car which is already levied on for a Council Tax agreement that is in place, so I'm pretty sure the walking possession is void!

 

Let the fun begin

[ploddertom]

There is another area that they have made a big mistake on...they have levied on my car which is already levied on for a Council Tax agreement that is in place, so I'm pretty sure the walking possession is void!

 

Let the fun begin

 

Have you told them & provided proof of this?

[killagorrilla2]

The bailiff already knew this as the other WPA is with Ross and Roberts too!!

[brassnecked]

They are up the creek with the default fee, perhaps it is time for a Formal Complaint to Council copied to Ross 'n Robbers Council CEO, and Elected leader, regarding their unlawful default fee and duplicate levy.

[killagorrilla2]

Yes they are up the creek I reckon.

 

I have the name and contact number for the Head of Collections at the Council Offices and will be speaking to him following the inevitable visit from R&R.

 

Should be an interesting meeting now

 

Thanks Guys for all your input, its given me the will to fight Ross & Robbers all the way.

[killagorrilla2]

A quick update which I could do with some feedback on please.

 

I now have a breakdown of the fees and charges applied to the PNC Warrant;

 

Warrant £82.00

DVLA Check £2.50 (I've seen from other posts that this is not allowed for in the Schedule, is this correct?)

1st Letter £11.20 (Don't recall ever seeing this letter)

1st visit fee £28.00 (as per schedule for under £100)

2nd visit fee £35.00 (bailiff claims they can total the warrant, added fees, vat and then make a charge of 28% as per the schedule?)

 

This totalled up as;

Warrant £82.00

Fees £76.70

VAT £15.34

Total £174.04

 

I paid £74.00 on first visit and made arrangement to pay 2 x £50 to settle.

I then paid the 1st £50.00 4 days later than agreed date.

 

Just had another visit (I wasn't in unfortunately) and now have a letter showing;

Visit fee £140.00 + VAT @ £28.00 = Balance outstanding £218.00!!

 

Even though I have spoken on the phone with the bailiff and made him aware that I know the £140.00 fee is illegal he is pursuing his claim.

 

What should my next steps be?

 

B