Lowell asking for money - Can I take them to a small court claim?

[Abarthgt]

Hi everyone, I'm new here

I recently tried to apply for a mortgage, it got rejected because of multiple missed payments entries on my credit report. To my finding it was British gas and now Lowell since they bought the debt from them.

I raised a complaint to Lowell asking for their reason to claim £750. I left British gas and moved out in November 2019, I called them and told them I was leaving and settled any outstanding balance and also gave them an accurate reading over the phone and paid by card. (All on the same day before leaving the house)

In April 2020 they generated a new bill, apologising at the time in Nov 19 the bill was inaccurate. I had already changed address and contact details. Now Lowell are saying they had all the rights for the entries in my credit report and that the balance is still due. British gas won't talk to me because the account is with Lowell. Lowell doesn't care about what I have to say.

My question is, I know I can take it to an ombudsman but I know it'll take a while. Can I instead take Lowell to a Small court claim in order to deal with the matter quickly?

[EnglandPi]

Yes you can take them to the small claims court but I would advise against it because Lowells will undoubtedly defend any action. Small claims hearings are taking forever these days as the courts have not caught up from the covid backlog, so I doubt anything will be quick.

[echat11]

Hi Abarthgt

What you need is information, once you've got that information, then you can tackle the debt if it exists or the default / missed markers on your credit report.

a) Send British Gas a Subject Access Report, they will provide all the details on the account, they have 30 days to provide that information. Make sure you get Proof of Postage.

https://legalbeagles.info/library/gu...-court-claims/

b) You can send the following template to Lowells to put the their actions on hold, make sure you get Proof of Postage.

https://nationaldebtline.org/sample-...-not-owe-debt/

c) You can go to your Credit File and add notes to the British Gas missed payment markers, that potential lenders can see.
The CRA will have example of what you should write. Constructive wording.

d) If the markers on your Credit File are 'incorrect' and they have effected your ability to obtain credit, then you are owed compensation by British Gas / Lowell's. You can lodge a complaint with the ICO.