Alleged "debt" from NZ
Feb 11th 2009, 1:58 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,994
Alleged "debt" from NZ
Argh!
When we lived in NZ we had a house built- one of those house builds that was quoted for X amount and to take x long and ends up being the most stressful thing ever, costs heaps more than quoted and takes *months* longer than predicted. Was bloody stressful and awful adn by the end of it we just wanted rid and sold up, for less than build cost by a small fortune
. We were unlucky in a way because the building company sold the franchise just after we signed with them and the 'project manager' ended up project managing the build from 6 hours away as a hobby on top of his day job and the builders, understandably, had first line committment to the new franchise owner who would be paying them for years to come. Add to that that the build was quite far out in the country and you can imagine the scenario.
Anyway, one of the biggest fleecers was the electrician who took *months* to do the last tiny bits that got us the Code of Compliance meaning we could sell. Then he hits us with a new invoice, which we don't think we owe him at all- we think we payed the PM for it, but our chances of sorting it are zilch. He's sold the debt to a collection agency. Do we need to go through the appeals and unscrambling process to sort this or are we immune from the ruthless persuance of debt collectors from across the ditch???
I'm half tempted to just pay him- but we lost most our savings on the build anyway and are here on a shoe string :curse: Don't want it to effect our mortgage potential or, shudder, visa applications!!!
When we lived in NZ we had a house built- one of those house builds that was quoted for X amount and to take x long and ends up being the most stressful thing ever, costs heaps more than quoted and takes *months* longer than predicted. Was bloody stressful and awful adn by the end of it we just wanted rid and sold up, for less than build cost by a small fortune
. We were unlucky in a way because the building company sold the franchise just after we signed with them and the 'project manager' ended up project managing the build from 6 hours away as a hobby on top of his day job and the builders, understandably, had first line committment to the new franchise owner who would be paying them for years to come. Add to that that the build was quite far out in the country and you can imagine the scenario.Anyway, one of the biggest fleecers was the electrician who took *months* to do the last tiny bits that got us the Code of Compliance meaning we could sell. Then he hits us with a new invoice, which we don't think we owe him at all- we think we payed the PM for it, but our chances of sorting it are zilch. He's sold the debt to a collection agency. Do we need to go through the appeals and unscrambling process to sort this or are we immune from the ruthless persuance of debt collectors from across the ditch???
I'm half tempted to just pay him- but we lost most our savings on the build anyway and are here on a shoe string :curse: Don't want it to effect our mortgage potential or, shudder, visa applications!!!
Feb 11th 2009, 6:36 am
#2
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5
Re: Alleged "debt" from NZ
You can't legally be pursued in Australia for a New Zealand debt,the two countries have their own Consumer Credit Code and once you leave the country you they can't enforce a debt,and it won't affect any Australian credit file you have,however having said that you should remember that if you ever had to return to New Zealand you may well find it hard to get credit for things like a mobile phone etc.
If you can get in contact with the debt collectors you could tell them you dispute the debt and maybe sort it out that way but it could be a lengthy process.
HTH
N'OZ
If you can get in contact with the debt collectors you could tell them you dispute the debt and maybe sort it out that way but it could be a lengthy process.
HTH
N'OZ
