Rapacious Housing Association. Their Website 'we Aim To Treat People Fairly'.

[Segilla]

I have always paid the service charge by DD but after changing my bank, one month was missed. All 8 of my other DDs worked without a problem.When they wrote and told me I was informed that an outrageous charge of £14.40 was being added.

Have they any right to do this?

[factor-fiction]

I don't think they are being outrageous, but you need to take the matter up with your bank and ask them to reimburse you for their error

[hc4361]

Is it in your contract? £14.40 seems fair and reasonable.

If you used the bank's SWITCH service when you changed banks you can claim this charge back from your new bank.

[kvalidir]

They probably do have a right and I too think it's outrageous. You could try calling them, telling them you are in dire financial straits and hoping they'll let you off the penalty.

[factor-fiction]

If £14.40 is 'outrageous', what would have been a reasonable charge?

[Booldawg]

Seems a bit unfair there should be a charge. I suppose it depends on how long they had to wait for their money.

[hc4361]

Make sure you haven't been charged £25 by your bank. That is the standard fee.

[factor-fiction]

I can't think of any organisation son my DD list that wouldn't have some sort of charge for missing a payment. It costs them money as someone needs to look at the file, decide what to do, send a letter and maybe chase it up.
Anyway, if the bank switch was done properly it's fault of one or both banks.

[hc4361]

Phone the housing assocation, explain what happened and why and reassure them it won't happen again. They may relent and refund the money/drop the charge.

[woofgang]

yes they have a right to do this. Whose fault was it that the DD got missed?

[Segilla]

Thanks for all responses. I can afford to pay - but there would be many among their rented accommodation tenants who would find it a lot of money.

If they persist I will try the bank.

[hc4361]

Did you use the SWITCH service when you moved banks?

[Canary42]

I didn't think anyone took website sales slogans (or "mission statements") seriously any more.

[factor-fiction]

Certainly a phrase like " we aim to treat people fairly " is meaningless, isn't it Canary. It's not as if some of the competitors would say "we aim to treat you unfairly".

[Canary42]

LOL. Precisely Factor-fiction.