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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Panicking about demand for payment

18 replies

Bamboozle123 · 04/02/2023 13:37

I have a new build house, have lived here 2.5 years and although freehold it comes with a small annual service charge. The first service charge was paid on completion - £270ish.

The site was finished this summer, so then the management company sent their details and forecasts for costs. They sent upwards of 5/6 letters - some with mistakes so they reissued them and they also sent their details for their online portal so you could receive it all by email which I signed up to immediately.

Anyway, I've just checked my external mailbox which I do once every fortnight or so (I get everything electronically so only have a letter or two at most. I'm also away lots for work).

There's a letter dated 17th January marked 'first reminder' for monies apparently due to the management company. A sum of roughly £160. It said if I didn't pay within 7 days it'd be passed to a debt collector and fees added. It also said I'd been sent the invoice at the beginning of January.

I've looked back over the many letters they've sent me. There was a letter in December that was NOT marked as an invoice and didn't say anything like amount owed. I actually thought it meant I was in credit as it says account balance £160 (no Debit or negative value). But it does add up to the amount they say I owe so I guess that was the invoice.

Now obviously I have transferred the money owed to then immediately now and sent an email as it's the weekend.

But I'm really quite affronted by the fact they couldn't put a basic invoice together (as a manager I deal with plenty of commercial and procurement - the basics is to make clear what is owed!!) and concerned they will log a missed payment on my credit file which is currently in perfect condition.

Any suggestions on how to fight anything they mark on my credit file? I assume I have a legitimate case to have it wiped as they didn't send me a proper bill.

Also if they tell me they've already passed to debt collector and added fees - I won't be paying these but again advice on if I have a legitimate case?

OP posts:
circleontheleft · 04/02/2023 13:38

You need legal advice.

hopeishere · 04/02/2023 13:40

Ask them first if they did pass it to a debt collector?

Original poster
Bamboozle123 · 04/02/2023 13:42

Yeah I'll ask on Monday @hopeishere - they are closed over the weekend hence the small panic.

@circleontheleft I can get legal advice through my insurance but wanted to see what they say on Monday and have confidence in my position first off to avoid too much hassle if I can

Part of my wonders if this is a bit of a scam to try to make some extra money... No company can be this incompetent?

OP posts:
Hadalifeonce · 04/02/2023 13:44

Why don't you pay the invoice to see what happens!

Original poster
Bamboozle123 · 04/02/2023 13:45

Hadalifeonce · 04/02/2023 13:44

Why don't you pay the invoice to see what happens!

Did you miss this bit?

Now obviously I have transferred the money owed to then immediately now and sent an email as it's the weekend.

OP posts:
MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 04/02/2023 13:49

Sounds like my management co - i.e useless. Sending invoices with the actual figure due in the small print at the bottom. Name doesn't begin with H and based in Bristol, does it?

ThinWomansBrain · 04/02/2023 13:51

they may say 7 days - in reality they probably leave it longer before forwarding to debt collectors - you'll find out on Monday
ask if they can email future communication?
Now the site is finshed, presumably bills will be on a regular date - why not set up a standing order for the expected amount - if no now, when you have a better idea of when you have a feel for the charges.
I have similar issues with a mail box - always resolve to check it weekly, but it doesn't always happen

Aprilx · 04/02/2023 13:52

I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill. You have paid the bill, they haven’t started proceeding, so that will be the end of it.

Flamingogirl08 · 04/02/2023 13:52

I doubt it will impact on your credit score as it isn't an open credit agreement. I would imagine it would only eventually end up on credit file if it was sent to debt collectors which won't happen because you've paid it.

They sound rubbish to deal with though

Original poster
Bamboozle123 · 04/02/2023 13:54

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 04/02/2023 13:49

Sounds like my management co - i.e useless. Sending invoices with the actual figure due in the small print at the bottom. Name doesn't begin with H and based in Bristol, does it?

Begins with a H but according to their site they are based just outside London (good use of our management fees paying for some swanky office I guess!!)

OP posts:
Hadalifeonce · 04/02/2023 13:54

@Bamboozle123
Apologies, missed that bit
As you've paid I wouldn't bother contacting them.

Original poster
Bamboozle123 · 04/02/2023 13:55

ThinWomansBrain · 04/02/2023 13:51

they may say 7 days - in reality they probably leave it longer before forwarding to debt collectors - you'll find out on Monday
ask if they can email future communication?
Now the site is finshed, presumably bills will be on a regular date - why not set up a standing order for the expected amount - if no now, when you have a better idea of when you have a feel for the charges.
I have similar issues with a mail box - always resolve to check it weekly, but it doesn't always happen

I've sent my preferences twice to them and signed up to their online portal.

I can't set up a standing order as their comms state the amount each year will vary depending on inflation and the needs of the estate, unfortunately.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bamboozle123 · 04/02/2023 13:56

Flamingogirl08 · 04/02/2023 13:52

I doubt it will impact on your credit score as it isn't an open credit agreement. I would imagine it would only eventually end up on credit file if it was sent to debt collectors which won't happen because you've paid it.

They sound rubbish to deal with though

Really helpful thank you!

I know it sounds silly worrying about it but I've worked really hard to get a great job, credit rating, my own home when I grew up with parents worrying about debt and struggling to make ends meet

OP posts:
Flamingogirl08 · 04/02/2023 13:58

Bamboozle123 · 04/02/2023 13:56

Really helpful thank you!

I know it sounds silly worrying about it but I've worked really hard to get a great job, credit rating, my own home when I grew up with parents worrying about debt and struggling to make ends meet

Show quote history

No doesn't sound silly. I made some financial mistakes in my younger days and have worked so hard to fix my credit so I understand!

Knulp · 04/02/2023 14:34

If you have not had a letter from a debt company, then I would say your clear, if it had been passed, you would have had a letter asking for the original balance plus fees from a different company.

Identifyingasadolphin · 04/02/2023 14:40

Also worth you comparing notes with neighbours on their experiences maybe, or if you have a local FB group for your street/area to ask what others have experienced…

ThinWomansBrain · 05/02/2023 11:42

I can't set up a standing order as their comms state the amount each year will vary depending on inflation and the needs of the estate, unfortunately.

I set up one for mine, varies too - sometimes it's in credit, if I miss the invoice the amount will be substantially paid.

Changingplace · 05/02/2023 11:47

Did you also query why you’ve not received this invoice by email if that’s how you’ve asked for them to communicate with you?

I’d be livid if I got a letter invoice through when I’d asked for emails, that’s really incompetent of them.

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