[Knighted]

Yay another problem involving money, woooo.

Basically the last month for my halls the rent came to 598 pounds. Which I couldn't pay at the time. The "Debt Collection Officer" came to my halls and spoke to me (They aren't half grumpy people and I'm what you would call a nice guy) I stated that I might be able to pay it when I got paid the following week. Turns out I couldn't as my wage slip wasn't enough to cover it.

Anyway, I rang the "Debt Collection Office" and spoke to the same grumpy lady. I explained that I still could not pay the last rent as my House Deposit/FMR was equal to 900 pounds which I'm having to borrow off of the parents anyway. She got even grumpier (yay) and explained that if I didn't pay it off by the end of July then the University would not allow me to enroll for my second year.

I stated that during her visit she had given advice to one of the girls (same problem) that the university can make exceptions by allowing you to pay it off in instalments or will wait till your next loan comes through. She got even grumpier and stated that she had never said such as a thing as she is not the head of the department and is not allowed to make such decisions. She advised me to email the head of the department which I have now done so.

She by now for no real reason was even grumpier at me (I was being friendly for god sake) then lovingly chimed in that when my Fire Alarm when she had came to see me a previous time (about 2 months ago) I had a sock over my fire alarm due to a candle burning. She then proceeded to say that 200 pounds might be added to the 598 (THAT I CANT PAY) if the Halls of Residence manager decides it should be.

Questions:

1) Can she add 200 pounds if I deny the event even occurred especially as it has been 2 months since she saw the sock on my fire alarm and the building manager didn't fine me the first time. I have never been presented with any letters, notifications/ANYTHING about this fine apart from her words out of her mouth.

2) WHat is the likelihood of her superior rejecting my appeal thus disallowing me from even returning to university?

3) WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE SO GRUMPY?

[Juno]

Well, you owe them money. If someone owed you £600 wouldn't you be a bit grumpy?

You've made no effort to pay - your offer to pay in instalments would seem more realistic if you made some kind of payment to go with it! And you don't say you contacted them before not paying, so they've had to chase you - if you'd said in advance you'd have this problem then they might be more friendly.

I'm normally nice to people with debt problems, but you just come across as though you think they should be making no effort to chase you for the money you owe, and as though you think it should all go away. It won't. You owe them money, so you need to pay them that money, not just complain about how they're not being lovely anf giving you hugs and going "awww, it's ok! You owe us £600 but it's fine!"

[Knighted]

(Original post by Juno)
Well, you owe them money. If someone owed you £600 wouldn't you be a bit grumpy?

You've made no effort to pay - your offer to pay in instalments would seem more realistic if you made some kind of payment to go with it! And you don't say you contacted them before not paying, so they've had to chase you - if you'd said in advance you'd have this problem then they might be more friendly.

I'm normally nice to people with debt problems, but you just come across as though you think they should be making no effort to chase you for the money you owe, and as though you think it should all go away. It won't. You owe them money, so you need to pay them that money, not just complain about how they're not being lovely anf giving you hugs and going "awww, it's ok! You owe us £600 but it's fine!"

I have made the effort, I rang them around 4-6 times last week each time getting a "Currently out of the office, they will call you back" which they didn't. SOrry I didn't fill you in on every little detail. (BTW My University term finished about a week ago, all my work/exams was due in on the 29th so I was preoccupied before then.)

Like I've stated I have every intention to pay the money, nowhere in my post did I state that I had no intention however at the moment my finances simply do not allow me to. I unlike many first years have a job and even with that job I have been unable to keep up with all of the payments. Hell during my 3rd month at University I was jumped by 5 guys, had my wallet and phone stolen, had the **** kicked out of me, ended up in hospital and I was back to work within a couple of days because I needed the money. Yet again what you would call "Not caring" is me not giving you every little detail.

Yet again nowhere did I state that my offer of instalments wouldn't include a "first payment" she simply stated that it wasn't her position to allow it and that I would have to email the head of office which I have also done.

"Well, you owe them money. If someone owed you £600 wouldn't you be a bit grumpy?"

I rang my Estate Agent today for the new house. I explained my money situation and that I wouldn't be able to pay the full 900 for another month but could pay 600. Got "Oh well if it would be easier for you to pay it in a month then il just put a note on your contract that you can pay it in a month."

However I would like to thank you for your post, you took your time out so thanks