The Fixer: garden waste nightmare

Updated


Have you been left out of pocket due to poor service or sharp practice? Do you have a money problem that won't go away?

It can seem impossible to get a fair result when you are battling a financial issue alone. But never fear! The AOL Money Fixer is here to help.

Dear Fixer,

A few weeks ago, I hired a local gardening firm, Harver Gardens, to cut back my overgrown trees.

I was not in while they were working, but the garden was cleared when I got back so I paid the two men who came round the agreed amount of £150.

However, the next evening an angry neighbour came round and told me that the excess branches had been dumped in a playground on the other side of the fence at the back of my garden and that he was going to report me to the local council.

I called the gardening firm to complain and was told that the garden waste would be cleared the next day.

This never happened - it is still there three days later and the firm has now started ignoring my calls.

I understand that I could face a fly tipping fine of thousands of pounds if I do not get the garden waste moved before the council comes to deal with it.

But I can't get the firm to answer my calls or finish the job I paid it to do. Can you help?

C Robinson, London

Dear Ms Robinson,


Fly tipping can result in a fine of up to £50,000, as well as a prison sentence of up to 12 months - so you were right to be worried about the local council getting involved.

In your area, small fly tips are usually cleared automatically and large fly tips are cleared within two working days of being reported.

And once that has been done, a fine is generally payable. Fortunately, however, the gardening firm has now cleared the waste it dumped behind your home.

It claims that the problem was the result of a misunderstanding and that it always intended to clear the waste, but apologises for the inconvenience caused.

The Fixer

Whatever your financial problem, write to themoneyfixer@aim.com and The AOL Money Fixer will get on the case.

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