Harlands Admin fees charged after contract minimum term expired?

[monkfishmaster]

Just a quick question,

 

After a 12-month minimum term gym contract expired last month,

I received a letter today from Harlands saying that my November instalment has been returned unpaid 'refer to payer'

as there were insufficient funds to pay the amount due.

I'm now being charged the month's fee plus a £15 admin fee.

 

I will be in touch with the gym to ensure my contract is terminated (I'm aware it was my fault for forgetting to get in touch and terminate it,

as the T&Cs do mention that they will continue taking the direct debit amount every month after until I cancel)

 

but my question is,

 

am I liable to pay this admin fee?

 

Not trying to get out of anything,

but I don't want to pay a fee if it's not justified.

 

Is each extra month an extension to my contract?

 

I'd have thought if I'm out of my contracted period and they can't take funds they'd just terminate my service..

. but then, what do I know?

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[renegadeimp]

Ignore the admin fee. It is a penalty and is unlawful/unenforceable.

[dx100uk]

just moved you to the gym forum

 

plenty of advise here about this lot

 

no don't pay the admin fee its unlawful.

 

dx

[slick132]

Hi MFM and welcome to CAG

 

It's normal that your agreement rolls on to a month-by-month after the minimum period expires.

 

You need to give them a clear month's notice to cancel. You're best to do this in writing and get a receipt for the letter when you hand it into the gym. Take a 2nd copy of the letter and ask the staff member to sign and date it so you have this for evidence if needed later.

 

You should pay one further month's fee after you've told them you're leaving and, after that, you can cancel the DD mandate by contacting your bank.

 

As regards the admin fee, this is an unenforceable penalty as others have already said. Harlands will say you have to pay it but we maintain they're wrong and you should NOT pay it.

 

Once you've cancelled and paid the last fee, let us know if Harlands persist with their demands. If they do, we'll help you reply to them as necessary.