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HELP! Appealing a Penalty Charge Notice - faulty machine

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Hi,

Looking for some help please appealing a Penalty Charge Notice received today.

Parked at the car park, my mum paid £2 to the machine (£1.60 for 2 hours) and displayed ticket.

Received PCN then upon inspection of purchased ticket, the machine has only registered 1 of the coins but never gave the other back so the ticket has only printed for 1 hour!

Do I stand a chance with appeal?

Feeling very aggrieved having parked here numerous times before hence not feeling the need to check ticket after both coins were swallowed by machine...

Remortagage parents house

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Hi

I wanted to re mortgage my parents owned home to raise money for home improvements.

We wanted to find out how do u go about adding name one

Transfer of equity then take out mortgage

Or does the new mortgage deed cover ?

Is it cheaper to do transfer of equity with a online broker or use lender legal advisor

A moan

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Today I sold a heavy item - nearly 50kilos. The buyer wanted to send it to a click and collect point. I checked and there is a weight limit of 15k and a size limit which it also exceeds. I refund the buyer and explain why I can't send it and why I can't send to a different address. Buyer is not happy, I have inconvenienced him, the refund takes 3-4 days, I could have sent it elsewhere... He is going to get his refund and buy it off someone else at a higher price.

Some people:angry:

E: 15/09 Win a 6-day Genting Dream Cruise for two worth £2116

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https://cruiseandtravelasia.com/giveaways/dream-cruises/

Cruise & Travel Asia is offering readers a unique opportunity to win a 6-day 5-night cruise ticket for two. You’ll depart from Singapore onboard Genting Dream in a Balcony Stateroom, taking your place on any cruise between between 15 September 2019 and 29 March 2020.

Genting Dream is a vessel for your dreams—it features all the comfort of authentic Asian hospitality, combined with the finest experiences from around the world. Dream was named ”Asia’s Best Cruise Ship” at the 2018 Asia Cruise Awards.

Passengers are required to pay related visa fee, port charges, gratuity, and any other incidental charges.

Pension Advice/Evaluation

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I'm not in the same league as some posters on here pension-wise but would appreciate opinions of my situation and if there's anything I can do to improve it.
Currently 53, single parent, mortgage of £94000 owed (till age 69 but trying to pay it off sooner).

I have the following pensions:
Deferred DB pension forecast to pay £7100 a year at 65 (current CETV £94000)
Deferred DB pension forecast to pay £1000 a year at 65 (current CETV £33000)
Deferred DC pension with currently £7500 with L&G
Current active DC pension at £19000 with Aviva and paying in a total of £250 a month (mine and employers contributions)
2 years to contribute to get full SP

The reasons for the very small pensions is when I was working part time and bringing up children.

I would really like to pay more towards the mortgage as I want to bring it down as much as I can but need to build up a larger emergency fund first. I thought about taking 25% at 55 to help with this.

Does this situation look healthy enough for a single person? Also, would it make sense for me to consolidate the DC pensions? I.e. Move the £7500 into the Aviva pension?

Is there anything else I should be thinking about? I am trying to save but only have £3000 which I need to build up as a buffer in case of redundancy or other emergencies.

Section 32 pension.

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Just after a bit of of info please.

I have a section 32 that will pay £4566 when I'm 65.
I'm currently 52.

Whilst I consider myself active in my pension planning I've never really given this much thought.
I've always thought the policy value would fall well short of what's needed hence it's simply a case of the pension provider (Aegon) having to take it on the chin when the time comes.

On a recent statement the policy value is £29,222 made up of: -
£20,548 - Reserved fund value.
£50 - Non reserved fund value.
£9,324 - Terminal bonus.

Two things from the statement got me wondering: -

1. It says I can change funds by completing a "Alteration of fund choice form".
I've no idea what fund it's currently in but considering it's unlikely to be able to support the GMP, would it be worth taking a punt and throwing it in a highly volatile fund in the hope that it "takes off" for the next 13 years.
This with the caveat the Aegon will still have to make up any shortfall I assume.

2. Another statement it makes is "Where GMP is payable after age 65 this will increase by 1% for every 7 weeks after this age".
Am I to take it I can defer this pension?
This would possibly interest me as it seems quite generous at round about 7.5% annual increase.

FWIW... I think I'm reasonably covered in other areas.
Will get to the higher rate SP when I finish & currently have a DC with approx £500K as it stands.

Thanks in advance.

Deed of gift 50/50 split

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I'm a complete novice with this, so apologies in advance. I will say what the situation is and see if any of you experts can offer any helpful advice.

Many years ago, my nan moved into a care home and signed over her house via a deed of gift 50/50 split. 50% went to my dad and the other 50% went to my dads sister. It's something my nan has always regretted, as my dad has always been there to look after my nan and his sister has done absolutely nothing. My nan wishes she signed over 100% of her home to my dad, but nothing can be done to change that now.

My dad has been paying 100% of the bills to keep my nans home running. His sister hasn't contributed a thing. My dad previously offered a fee to his sister to relinquish her half of the house, but she declined. As it stands, my dad is continually paying bills to keep my nans home running and his sister is just sitting tight, waiting for the home to be sold.

My dad is being stubborn, he's refusing to sell the house as he doesn't think his sister deserves a penny. The house has been empty for many years because of this and my dad would rather continue to pay bills to keep the house running than sell up and allow his sister to receive anything for it.

My question is if my dad provides evidence of all the bills he's paid over the years, would there be any chance he would be entitled to more than 50%? Is there any way the deed of gift can be changed if my nan wishes so? I'm just requesting feedback to get a better idea of what my dad could be entitled to, as it's ridiculous for him to continually pay bills if he's not going to gain anything from it. I worry the house is deteriorating and decreasing in value too. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Credit Card Addresses

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Not posted in this board before, as far as I can remember, but I've read a lot of it in the last few days and know you are all very helpful.

I will be starting a DMP or DRO but I can't figure out where to send the holding letters to the following Credit Cards. If anyone knows the correct addresses I would be very grateful if you could post them.

ASDA (Creations?)
Aqua (New Day?)
Bank of Scotland
Marks and Spencers
Sainsburys

All have a PO Box address on the statements, but you can't send recorded delivery to those, can you?

The NEDCAB web site lists several addresses for most of them, so not sure which one to choose.

PLEASE don't reply with questions about my situation, soa etc just yet. I will answer questions, but first I need to get those letters done otherwise my head will go back into the sand for another month.

Thanks
Joe

E: 26/07 10am Win tickets for Challenge Cup - Saints v Halifax, Warrington Wolves v Hull FC and Wome

Barclays is closing my brand new account

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Ok I've read quite a few horror stories about Barclays around here and so far I've always tended to believe they were rather sketchy, but here's a #metoo.

I've opened a premier account in branch last Tuesday - so 6 days ago. I had applied online earlier but was told I had to bring documents in branch for verification (which had never been the case with other banks before). The rep took copies of my documents, got me set up with mobile banking, gave me the account details and membership number, everything looked good.

In the last few days I proceeded with setting up the account as my primary one. I instructed my company to pay my salary and expenses, I initiated a switch from another bank, I set up a couple of direct debits, and I connected the account to PayPal. I received letters from both Barclays and my old bank confirming the account switch.

Last Friday I also received (to my surprise) a blue Barclays debit card (I was expecting the premier black one). I called the premier helpline to find out what happened. They told me there must have been a mistake when they had opened my account in the branch, they didn't see the correct card application had been filled. After getting my agreement on the new card they confirmed they would send it shortly.

On Saturday I received one more letter - a confirmation of my membership number telling me I could now access online banking. I logged on to the online banking and the account seemed to be fine (although I could not access the debit card personalisation section, nor I could see the debit card PIN - I assumed that was because I had a new card on the way).

A few hours later when I tried opening the mobile app again, I'm getting an error (RG21R) telling me that my account was locked, and that I should call their customer service. On the phone they tell me that the fraud team had locked my account and scheduled it for closing - imagine the surprise. I asked for more details, the rep said he had no more information but he would put me in touch with the fraud team. A few minutes later after the music I get an automated message telling me that the bank carried their usual investigations and found out that I no longer complied to the rules of the premier bank account product, and since I no longer qualified for it they decided to close my account. They gave me the option to speak to someone - which I chose. Robot says it would take about 10 minutes. Music plays...

Obviously I am completely shocked - this is a brand new account, I didn't even get a chance to use it (the only transaction was the PayPal 1p authorisation). I went and called my premier relationship manager on the other line. He told me that there was "a notepad" on my account saying that they picked up a fraudulent transaction on my debit card (the one that they wrongly sent in the first place, and had been sitting in a drawer ever since it arrived - I didn't even activate it). Not that there were any funds in the account anyway.

Back to my initial call - about 45 minutes later, I get connected to a gentleman in a country far, far away. He begins to explain how "the notepad" tells him that they reviewed my account and decided I no longer qualified for the product (the same thing the robot had told me earlier, but nothing about the debit card the PRM had mentioned). I told him that I was opened the account in the first place, so they seemed quite satisfied at that point and did not have any problems qualifying me for the product -- I work for a big IT company, my income is well over the threshold, have been building my credit always paying on time, am registered with the electoral roll, have recently bought a house etc. He makes a very caustic comment that the review team can only get the chance to review accounts after they are opened, so surely every other bank would do the same (open an account just to shut it in your face a few days later? righhhhht).

So in short I'm told that there is nothing I can do at this point, I should just sit and wait for a letter to arrive; not that it would give me any reasons - it would simply refer me to "section 11" of the T&C's, which basically explains the reasons that will lead to account closures. I won't quote them here but none of them apply to my case, so I strongly believe there is a mixup/mistake being made. Having googled a bit it seems that they do this rather often. But it just feels wrong. Sure, I could appeal to their decision, but (in their words) the appeal is just a complaint, which will not revert the decision (er, I don't think that's what an appeal is, but sure).

Coming home from work I found a couple more letters from Barclays - the Pinsentry device, a chequebook and one more letter confirming my access to mobile banking. Go figure.

I have no idea how this will end but I'm not holding much hope. Barclays seem to have no respect for their customers - not even premier ones. Presumption of guilt, unilateral decisions, opaqueness.. the whole shebang.

I guess I came here just wanting to vent - I'm sure I will be told that I should just move on, that the bank can freely choose its customers, and that this is just how things work and I should stick with another bank that works better. Which I will do of course. But once again - it just feels wrong.

A quick steer on borrowing please

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Hi,

I'm a self employed jack of all trades mechanical engineer and am updating my workshop with a more modern machine. I am looking for a loan to tie me over while I wait for some of my old stock and equipment to sell.

Money required - £4 to £5000.

A) I assume it's wise and acceptable to borrow more than I need to get the cheaper rate, and then pay off the excess immediately? (Likely £7500)

B) Is it possible to easily pick through those who will and won't charge more for early / quick repayments?

C) Looking at loans recently and I see it asked whether the loan is for business or personal. I never know quite where to draw the line as a self employed person with this, as to me this purchase ticks both boxes.

D) Should I be looking at multiple 0% cards instead?

Thanks in advance,
Tom.

Extremely high energy bills!

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Dear Martin Lewis Forum,

I need some advice ASAP! I will be in contact with CAB soon but wanted to see if anyone has had similar issues.

I've lived in my single bed flat for three years as a student. The energy provider when I moved in was NPower, I wasn't aware that I could change and just continued paying £35 per month as the previous tenant probably did. I was quite naive when it came to energy bills and did not realise that this was a variable tariff that would change due to the providers estimates. I did give meter readings when I could but the costs were getting so high that my debit kept building up and eventually a monthly tariff of £92 infuriated me enough to switch, I was hit with a huge final bill from NPower, which I disputed, but due to my lack of knowledge and time, had to settle by paying £21 a month to pay off a £515 debt over 2 years. I simply accepted that the cost was high and I should've known to switch before.

Last July, I switched to SO Energy, thinking that this problem would be resolved by switching providers. I have been with them for a year and have been paying £28 per month as per their fixed rate package. I got a notification saying that my deal was about to end, so I looked elsewhere and tried to switch. I got a rejection, saying that I owe a huge amount on my electricity. I work 9-5 weekdays so I am never in, I didn't submit meter readings as previously this didn't seem to matter whenever I'd get monthly bills.

When I queried this, they asked me for a meter reading which I gave and I was told that I owed £1236!!! To make this worse, when I complained about it, SO told me that with the outstanding amount owed, my bills would now come to £180 per month, (out of contract tariff at the moment and they are trying to advise me to join new tariff 12 month contract) and that my monthly payments would actually be around £70-80 per month, and the extra £100 is the money I owe from the debt, based on my usage. 16525 Day, 24154 night july to august is my opening read on July 2018. Today I gave the agent rep my reading which was 24764 day 26502 night. I thought this annual energy usage was too high and maybe my meter was faulty or some appliance is faulty but even with that, the cost can't be £1236! The most recent bill for some reason covers 19-21 July only and doesn't spread out over the 12 month period. Other bills cover a month like they should but this bill states I used 3652kwh day 1543kwh night in 2 days! "Balance at your last statement £470.74, Balance brought forward £470.74, new charges included in this statement £765.36 amounting to my new account balance being £1236.10"

My question is: how is this possible??! Am I misreading something? I've paid £364 this year and can understand if it was underestimated and owe a bit more but £1200?! How can my annual usage be altogether £1500? Have SO calculated it wrong? Is someone stealing my electricity? This just seems incomprehensible. I have electricity only, I live in a bedsit by myself and I am being charged what I consider to be an extortionate amount compared to fellow flatmates. I am barely in during the day and my energy usage should be below average at most. Most importantly, what can I do? How can I escalate this and dispute this further? Should I call an engineer out?

If there's any info you feel I need to provide please let me know!

CCJ found and setting aside with consent

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Hi All

Looking for advice/hoping to write what I did to help others.

After a breakup and me moving out in 2017 a few accounts that defaulted. Most of these are cleared now though

I have accepted a job in the financial sector which requires a background screening. So signed up for Experian to have a look and found a CCJ from Northampton County Court from 2017! This could be a major blocker with the new role so am obviously very worried!

When I moved I registered with my credit accounts and thought I had all but settled then so this was a bolt out of the blue

After reading up on various forums my plan of attack.

Tomorrow I will contact the court and find out exactly who the debtor is

Contact them and confirm wether the debt is statute barred

If not I’m hoping to get a consent order from the debtor (I will agree to pay) and then apply to the court to have this removed

From what I’ve gleaned from forums I believe this is the best way to go about it but new to this so would be very grateful to get any tips on what to say/write to both the debtor and court!

Hopefully will be able to help other people in a similar situation as it really isn’t nice!

Josh

Choosing Hairstyles

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Hi all,

I'm a bridesmaid (there's me and one other) and we are off with the Bride to have our hair and makeup trial soon. I thought we would be able to kind of choose ourselves what we wanted, but bride showed me a picture (Just one) of what she thinks will be nice for us.

It's a kind of up-do, like a messy bun but sits low at the back. It looks pretty on the model in the picture, but I never wear my hair up as I think it doesn't really suit me that much. I much prefer having it down.
I have quite long hair (middle of my back length) and the other bridesmaid has slightly longer than shoulder-length, so not too sure if it's something that would look right/the same for both of us.

Bride hasn't said that we have to have that style, but she hasn't said we can pick ourselves either, so not sure how it will go. I do get have the impression she wants us to both be exactly the same though, for example: with the bridesmaid dresses, they are low back and I was struggling to find a bra option for larger bust that was supportive and felt secure (other bridesmaid has a smaller bust so useing stick-ons). I was saying about perhaps the seamstress could add an extra section to cover the bra strap at the back but she basically said she didn't want that because it would then be different. (After a lot of searching and trying on I did finally find one (Wasn't cheap!), it's not very comfortable but will do the job for the day.

Just wondering on people's thoughts around this? I was thinking maybe I could pick out some style I like to take with me on the day to suggest to try that are more half up half down or something?

POPLA Euro Car Park Appeal help

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Hi,

I got a parking charge notice to keeper from Euro Car Parks (dated 28.05.19) for parking at Marks & Spencer in Prestwich Manchester on 18th May of 2019 for overstaying their 2 hour (free customer parking) limit by 24 minutes.

Without knowing about this forum, I appealed to ECP giving my genuine reasons - was shopping, had meal and was with my father who is a blue badge holder but importantly he was not feeling well that day has had a triple heart bypass and still feels the pain from it. I didn't specifically say that I was the driver, at least not in the appeal explanation I put forward but I think I did make the selection from the drop down box), did provide them with the only receipt I could find but my initial appeal with ECP was rejected.

I did supply ECP with both receipt from M&S and my fathers blue badge but they rejected showing their images of their signs that say that they do not make exceptions for badge holders overstaying.

I have only now become aware about this forum and am confused as to what grounds to appeal to POPLA.

Any help much appreciated I believe I only have til 25 July to submit appeal, received reject letter from ECP on 27 June 2019.

Once I have drafted my POPLA appeal will post for any guidance.

Many Thanks in advance
Hope4Best

PS- please do not think I am being lazy I have spent the last 2-3 days (literally since I found this forum) glued to my computer going through the Newbie section advice and looking through other posts. That in itself is a miracle as I am not good with computers:cry:

Euro Car Park PCN at NHS Surbiton

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I received a PCN at a Health Centre run by the NHS from the operator of the car park known as Euro Car Parks. I have already scanned through much of the material on this operator in this forum, however I was a patient at the health centre at the date and time on the PCN and had full authority to park there, and this is the basis of my appeal.

I have already appealed internally, which was rejected, and then I appealled again via POPLA with evidence of my confirmation appointment and NHS Number.

If that gets rejected too, what do I do next? Nothing?

I have not appealed on the grounds of poor signage as I didnt even look because I knew I had a right to be there as I was a patient but I just didnt realise I had to submit my license plate number at the reception, this was my first time.

Retirers bucket list

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Does anyone else do this? Have a bucket list of things they want to do, see or visit?

I retired about 18 months ago and a few months ago determined to walk the South West coast path. Having lived in Cornwall for 30 years I realised how little I have seen so intend to remedy that.

We are booking a trip to Canada/USA next year too.

Still adding to the list.

NTK POFA compliant?

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Please could anyone advise whether the wording on this NTK is POFA compliant? Thank you.

hxxps://www.dropbox.com/sh/7nenhcnqt4xo1io/AAA8tybkYeuGzlIIkAa7_w3xa?dl=0

love holidays/tui booking query

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looking for a bit of clarification.
I booked a holiday via love holidays / tui earlier in the year for sept. At the time i selected to pay a portion of it then & then just one other big lump sum nearer the actual holiday date. I did this as each time you make a payment they charge around £9 and I didnt want that adding up over the months. The payment dates were set by the company ie one at time of booking & one nearer time of departure.
I'm 100% sure I chose a "cancellable" option as I always do however upon inspection of my booking confirmation there is nothing detailing a final cancellation date.
The date I made the booking & the initial payment was take (deposit if you will) is detailed as is the details for the transaction nearer to departure.

Since nothing is detailed re final cancellation date does that mean it is not cancellable? Or should I assume the final cancellable date would be just before the last payment is taken?
I wrote all the detials down (incl. the cancellation date that would have been detialed) at the time of booking but sadly that notebook seems to have gone walk abouts. I'm surprised (and concerned) nothing is detailed in the booking confirmation. When i log in to luvholidays & my tui accounts similarly there is nothing detailing whether I did or did not in fact choose the cancellable option. There is an option to cancel but I havent clicked on it (in case it cancels it!).

It seems ridiculous that the booking conf wouldnt state "non-refundable" or "free cancellation until dd/mm"

Lifetime ISA and Stocks and Shares ISA

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First, apologies if this is covered somewhere else, i have been searching for a while now and cannot find a clear answer.

Can I have both a lifetime ISA (25% bonus from government) and a Stocks and Shares ISA simultaneously and pay into both?

For example could i pay the maximum of £4000 into the LISA and then another £1000 into a stocks and shares ISA in the same year?

Thanks
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