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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my ground rent people are robbin' bastards.

38 replies

ENormaSnob · 08/01/2014 14:53

Ground rent due 1/1/14 to cover period 1/1-31/12/14.

Letter arrives dec, cheque for full amount sent, think no more of it.

Arrears letter today chargin me extra £67 saying i havent paid. I fucking well have. The amount in full.

I am so angry i cant stop crying.

Wtf do i do now?

OP posts:
Pootles2010 · 08/01/2014 14:55

Yes, get your grip first. Have a cup of tea, think calm thoughts.

Then give them a ring, ask them very politely to check their records. If no joy, ask what proof they need, your bank should be able to provide this.

Crowler · 08/01/2014 14:56

Get a copy of the cheque from the bank?

Slatecross · 08/01/2014 14:56

You're crying over this? Are you unwell?

Slatecross · 08/01/2014 14:57

I should add that I have cried about running out of kitchen roll and missing the binmen, so not judging, just wondering!

shoofly · 08/01/2014 14:57

Calm down and ring them. Is it possible the letter crossed with payment? Did you post a cheque? Can you check bank statement and has it been cashed? If not then contact them with other proof of payment?

Original poster
ENormaSnob · 08/01/2014 14:57

Rang them but phone says written correspondence only.

Email sent outlining issues and requesting callback to discuss further.

OP posts:
Shakirasma · 08/01/2014 14:57

Have you checked that your cheque has been drawn on?

Original poster
ENormaSnob · 08/01/2014 14:59

Cheque sent 1st class on 20/12.

Not looked if cashed Blush

Yes i am unwell slate.

OP posts:
KateAdiesEarrings · 08/01/2014 15:00

And relax . . .

Get the number from your cheque stub. Call the people who sent you the letter and advise them when you sent the cheque. (Their letter and your cheque may just have crossed in the post). If they are a large company they'll ask for the cheque number so they can check their system.

If they are still saying they haven't received it, ask them to mark a dispute on your account till this is resolved and that no extra charges be levied.

Call your bank and see if the cheque has been cashed. If it has been cashed, then call back your landlords and tell them to check their system as they've cashed the cheque. If the cheque hasn't been cashed, call back your landlord and say you're going to cancel the cheque and re-issue it or they can wait another few days to see if it arrives and has just been delayed with the Christmas post.

hth

FourAndDone · 08/01/2014 15:05

Get the cheque number. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure they will drop the charge immediately when you have spoken to them Smile

Original poster
ENormaSnob · 08/01/2014 15:05

Right.

Got the cheque stub.

It wasnt cashed when i have mini statement from 29th.

Need to ring bank to see if it has since then.

If it hasnt, can i dispute the arrears letter fine? What if its sat on someones desk?

OP posts:
Original poster
ENormaSnob · 08/01/2014 15:08

Thanks for the replies and advice btw Smile

Can't believe how furious i am over this.

Its the injustice of it Blush

Perhaps it's in their interest that they don't answer the phones. Especially today.

OP posts:
KateAdiesEarrings · 08/01/2014 15:09

Dispute the arrears letter fine. It could have been delayed because of the Christmas mail or it could be sitting on someone's desk.

We have a very unreliable sorting office and I have to call about issues like this all the time. Every company I've ever called about it has cancelled the arrears fine.

limitedperiodonly · 08/01/2014 15:19

Can they impose a fine? Is it in your lease? Genuine question. It might be, but it's worth checking.

And even if your cheque was late, which it wasn't, you're only week overdue so I'm not quite how they could enforce the charge. A county court does ask you to be reasonable in trying to recover money.

Don't take that advice as gospel but you sound upset and I don't want you worrying unnecessarily before you check.

Original poster
ENormaSnob · 08/01/2014 15:40

Thanks again for the responses.

Still waiting on a reply to my email.

Am a little calmer now but still bloody cross.

It is just the ground rent but think it says they can impose fines if paid late. Which is fair enough if i was late. I have consistently paid in full, on time, every year.

Think i may look at purchasing the land to avoid this shit in future.

OP posts:
Original poster
ENormaSnob · 08/01/2014 16:27

Just recieved a horrible email saying regardless of anythin else, ground rent is now late.

I am absolutely raging.

According to last years account, they didnt even cash the cheque until 7th feb Shock

I really want to take this further. Any advice?

Fortunately i can pay the extra 70 quid charge for the letter but i think it both excessive and injust.

OP posts:
ginmakesitallok · 08/01/2014 16:35

So can't you just cancel the original cheque and send them another one, or pay via debit card? Have you found out whether the original cheque was cashed?

limitedperiodonly · 08/01/2014 16:35

Post on legal. Someone there will know. Good luck. I hope it's all right.

I don't know what your situation is but try these people too they're very helpful

limitedperiodonly · 08/01/2014 16:38

They're for owners/leaseholders. Is that you? If you're a tenant give them a call anyway because I bet they'll be to be able to put you in touch with someone.

Smile
FourAndDone · 08/01/2014 16:42

Well first things first. I would refuse to pay the late payment charge, I would then ask them to have a look around the office before you send them ANOTHER cheque!! What a rude, snotty email!!
Personally I don't think they have a leg to stand on regarding the fine.

PatriciaHolm · 08/01/2014 16:42

Have they actually received the cheque? If not, and you didn't send it by recorded/registered delivery, then I think unfortunately they are within their rights as they haven't been paid. If they are just sitting on the cheque in their office, that's clearly different.

Next time, send it a recorded delivery method so you know it's got there!

FourAndDone · 08/01/2014 16:44

Surely they would have to take op to the small claims court if they wanted to get the fine from her? Not really worth it?

PatriciaHolm · 08/01/2014 16:47

probably, but the point remains that they aren't necessarily being bastards, just applying the sanctions that they have at their disposal for non-payment of a bill that is past due. Of course, it's entirely possible they have the cheque somewhere and are incompetent idiots, but given the postal system over Christmas it's also entirely possible that the cheque went adrift and as far as they know the OP has made no effort to pay. Jumping to a fine immediately seems harsh, but maybe they have suffered in the past with a lot of late/non payers?

FourAndDone · 08/01/2014 16:52

Yes I see what your saying Patricia, just seems abit mean that even though op sent an email explaining the situation, they are still enforcing fine. I think it is this that makes them 'robbing bastards'!!Grin

limitedperiodonly · 08/01/2014 16:52

YY I wouldn't dash off a cheque for the fine immediately. Get proper advice. Because if you don't have to pay I bet you'll have the devil's own job getting the money back from them.

You paid and it was over the xmas period when everyone expects the post to be chaotic and people to be away from the office. In my purely layman's head, that's being a bit unreasonable of them Wink

The worst that can happen is that you'll pay. The best is that you'll be able to sod off.

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