After being chased by DLA on behalf of Abbey National since last November for a shortfall debt of £30,000 they have now gone quiet! I last wrote to them on 18/7/01. They had confirmed in a previous letter that their clients had not obtained an MJO at time of repossession, so I asked in my last letter if they had obtained one since or if they intended to get one. I received a standard letter on 2/8/01 'considering your comments, taking our clients further instructions'etc, but I have heard nothing since. This is very unusual, normally they reply within a few days. So can anyone advise me of my best course of action? Do I write again pushing for an answer? Do I keep quiet and hope they've given up for the moment? I realise this is not going to be the end of the matter(I've read enough letters on this page to confirm this!!) but if this is just a hiatus can anyone advise me what their next course of action may be. Shall I expect debt collectors at my door, will they try a new solicitor? Any advice will be gratefully received.

-- Trish Urmston (trish5493@aol.com), September 01, 2001

Answers

DLA have told you that they're taking their client's instructions, and until Abbey tell them what to do next, DLA can't do anything.

You may find that you get a letter from DLA in the future starting the whole process off again, or perhaps from another firm of lawyers.

So personally, I'd not do anything until you here from them.

-- pendle (pendle_666@yahoo.co.uk), September 01, 2001.

Trish,

Pendle is quite right in all aspects of his reply.

I would also add that "going quiet" for a while, is probably also a tactic used by them, in order to worry you (some more). Imagine 3-4 Mths of no letters (you might be hoping in the back of your mind that they have given up the chase), and then another one comes through your letterbox.

This happened to us last summer, and we are at present waiting for their reply to our last letter, sent in early June.

When they do send you another letter, make sure you ask them to explain properly why it has taken them xx weeks/Months to reply.

Good luck

Stephen

-- (stephen.pooley@ntlworld.com), September 01, 2001.

Enjoy the peace while it lasts. So far the longest I have had to wait between letters was about 6 weeks...and a wonderful 6 six weeks it was too!

-- (_Believer14@excite.co.uk), September 14, 2001.