From bagging yourself a open-plan barn conversion to nabbing a free pint – our experts share advice and deals
Every Saturday, The Consumer Crew are here to solve your problems.
Mel Hunter will take on readers’ consumer issues, Amanda Cable will give you the best advice for buying your dream home, Maddy Tooke rounds up the best coupons to save you money and Judge Rinder will tackle your legal woes.
Judge Rinder - The Sun's legal expert
IN my career, I’ve seen an extensive collection of judges, from the grandest Lords Justice of the Court of Appeal to cheerful magistrates in Portakabins plonked next to chip shops.
So when I heard the criticism of the chairman of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, it immediately made me think back through all the different kinds I have met.
It seems there are concerns that Sir Martin lacks sympathy or doesn’t do the “right kind” of law.
So I tried to think of a type who might be better for something as important as this.
But in my view, there isn’t one.
In fact, he is exactly the kind of judge this inquiry needs.
Part of the problem seems to be that Sir Martin began in the commercial courts rather than criminal.
A normal case for commercial judges often involves sifting through thousands of pages of evidence.
One day they might have to reconstruct the daily workings of several multi-national corporations; another, decide what two shopkeepers whispered at the back of a warehouse 30 years ago.
Sir Moore-Bick will shine an intense, unsparing light into every dark crevice of the Grenfell Tower tragedy
Some, like Sir Martin, then move on to unscramble the mindboggling legal puzzles that pass through the Court of Appeal.
It is all tough, complicated work. But the problem is, it can make a judge seem pitiless.
When he gives his decision, there is no room for comedy or compassion, only hard analysis of the facts.
But it’s exactly this that means he will be ideal.
That doesn’t mean he won’t deeply feel the magnitude of that horrifying day in June. How could he not?
So much of this inquiry is going to be immensely traumatic.
Working every day in the awful darkness of that tower’s shadow might make many — lawyers and non-lawyers alike — tumble into despair or anger.
Sir Martin will be an essential calm centre in the middle of so much churning grief.
And when the key piece of evidence is hidden in some ignored subclause, buried at the bottom of the last box of paperwork, he knows how to find it.
A judge like Sir Martin will shine an intense, unsparing light into every crevice and cranny of this tragedy.
The victims of Grenfell deserve no less.
SUMMING UP
Q. MY son, who has severe learning disabilities and limited mobility, fell when getting on a council bus, fracturing his arm and leg.
The bus was provided by a company that recently won the council contract and has a flight of stairs you have to negotiate to board the bus.
Prior to his accident, I raised concerns about the new buses and the council sent a risk assessor to watch my son getting on and off.
They concluded it was fine.
On the day of the accident, he fell despite being helped by myself and the driver.
He is now in a wheelchair full-time. I’ve had to buy a wheelchair-accessible vehicle and install a ramp in my house.
A “no win, no fee” firm agreed to take the case but then emailed to say it was not viable, as in their opinion there was nothing wrong with the bus.
Valerie, London
A What an appalling situation.
The firm you instructed has evidently carried out a preliminary legal assessment and taken the view your case is not worth pursuing.
This is, I’m afraid, a decent indication you are unlikely to succeed.
But ask ten lawyers a question and you can get ten different answers, so this is by no means the end.
Speak to your local Citizens Advice branch and the Law Society, who may be able to point you towards alternative legal help.
Mr Rinder regrets he cannot answer questions personally. Answers are intended as general guidance. They do not constitute legal advice and they are not a substitute for getting independent legal advice.
Got a question for Judge Rinder? Email [email protected]
Amanda Cable – Property expert with the best advice for your home
Barn yards ahead in cost
DEMAND for village living is soaring, with barn conversions selling at up to FOUR TIMES the national average for rural house prices.
Chocolate box-style cottages go for nearly three times the average, according to new research.
Tim Hayward of estate agent Jackson-Stops, which carried out the study, said: “Barn conversions are being snapped up fast. Buyers love the wide open-plan spaces.”
If you like the idea of traditional village living at a modern-day price, the Government has announced a fresh take on the rural village with a planned wave of garden villages.
- THE average barn conversion costs £889,925 – but Norfolk builder John Stares, who specialises in old buildings, says buying your own and helping with the conversion can keep costs down.
- Here are his tips for converting a barn on a budget:
- Be very cautious about buying a barn with no planning permission in place and get the structure checked before making an offer.
- Check the location. Is there an access road to the barn or can one be built?
- Save money by taking on some of the work yourself. Clearing debris helps keep bills down.
- Salvage original material where possible.
- Be practical. Can you change a light bulb if it is high in the rafters? Will it be expensive to heat? Get more help and advice at .
THIS two-bed barn conversion in Ashbourne, Staffs could be yours for £325,000.
It offers open-plan living and has underfloor heating. See .
[boxout featured-image="4023685" intro="GAME Of Thrones is back on telly from Monday – and paints by British firm Mylands have been used to decorate the sets."]The exact shades used are a closely guarded secret but the London company has given fans some hints.
It suggests the perfect King’s Landing colours are the yellow-gold shades of Walbrook, Cornhill and Pimlico, mixed with deep reds Indian Lake and Huguenot.
For the Seven Kingdoms, try Greystone, Portcullis and Myrtle Green and for “beyond the Wall” try Sloane Square, Chambers Gate and Oratory.
Meanwhile, interior designer and GoT superfan Abby Owens says the show has boosted demand for the Lannister red and gold.
She said: “To recreate the regal interiors, add layers of rich red velvets and gold embroideries.
“Mahogany furniture looks great with the deeper colours, as do oriental accessories.”[/boxout]
Got a question for our experts? Email [email protected]
Mel Hunter – Readers’ champion on fighting for your rights
Be car(e)ful out there...
CAR hire companies trousered £475million from Brits last year in unexpected costs, according to TravelSupermarket.
Two Goldcar customers got in touch after each being stung for around £250 for scratches they are adamant they did not cause.
They didn’t flag up the problems before flying home from Spain’s Alicante airport and were dismayed to later discover they had been charged.
When you pick up a car, inspect it thoroughly, looking at everything from wheels and bumpers to windscreen wipers and wing mirrors.
Look just as closely inside the car and underneath.
Note down every bit of damage, no matter how small, and make sure it is marked clearly on the rental agreement before you sign anything.
Take photos of scratches and scrapes and don’t let car hire reps rush you.
To avoid being charged for expensive valeting, clean the car thoroughly before you return it or take it to a local car wash and ask them to spruce it up inside and out.
If you disagree over damage, you are entitled to be sent evidence of the problem and clear details of how the repair cost has been calculated.
You are also entitled to challenge this before the money is taken from your card.
Insist on it and complain if it does not happen.
Q. WE decided to cancel our Sky TV package in May last year but trying to contact them to do so was impossible.
We finally got through to someone after calling from a Sky marketing stand in a shopping centre and they confirmed they would cancel the deal.
However, a year on we have spotted Sky is still taking £85 a month from an account we hardly use. They say they have no record of cancellation.
Val Anderson, Havant, Hants
A. It’s infuriating when you can’t get through to speak to a real person but you were persistent and believed you’d eventually cancelled.
With me on the case, the company didn’t quibble with your version of events and agreed to refund you the past year’s subscription fees, totalling nearly £1,000.
Perhaps your experience will remind us all to check our bank statements a bit more closely.
Q. IN March we took a two-week holiday to Mallorca with Thomson – paying £132 for a sea view, which we had seen in the brochure.
When we got there, we found the view was of a block of shops. I’ve sent emails but Thomson refuses to refund our £132.
Frank Harvey, Feltham, West London
A. Holiday firms need to be aware how damaging it is when thair actions tarnish our eagerly awaited trips.
To not deliver on the brochure pledge is bad enough but to fail to recognise the issue and refund you is worse.
You weren’t asking for compensation – you simply wanted to get back what you paid.
Fortunately, with my involvement you did finally get that refund.
Thomson still hasn’t been able to tell me why you didn’t get the sea view you paid for.
Do you have a consumer issue? Email [email protected]
MOST READ IN MONEY
Maddy Tooke – Coupon Queen finding you
the best bargains
10 best deals
- H Samuel has an extra ten per cent off orders in its current sale. Includes watches and diamond rings. Use code HSBONUS10 at the checkout. Expires tomorrow.
- Snapfish is offering 20 per cent off orders over £20 with code SFUK552, 40 per cent off orders over £40 with code SFUK508 and 50 per cent off orders over £120 with code SFUK509. Order through Quidco for more cashback. Expires July 31.
- Save 15 per cent on all bouquets from Blossoming Flowers & Gifts with code QDJUL15. Order through Quidco and earn up to 23 per cent cash back. Expires tomorrow.
- Jack Wills has 15 per cent off with code LOVE15. Order through Quidco for up to six per cent cashback. Expires tomorrow.
- Use code SUMSUNGSAVE30 to get £30 off Samsung orders over £500, £20 off orders of £250 or more with SAMSUNGSAVE20 or £10 off orders of £150 or more with code SAMSUNGSAVE10. Quidco also has up to three per cent cashback.
- Get £12 off first online grocery orders over £60 at Sainsbury’s with code AFFVCJUN from . Expires July 19.
- There is 50 per cent off Prezzo mains at . Expires July 26.
- Get a free Max Factor Summer gift spending £15 on selected Max Factor at Boots and boots.com. Gift is worth £28 and includes three full-size products. Until August 1.
- Save £15 on shoes, boots and bag orders over £80 at Moda in Pelle with code CLOUD80 from . Expires July 16.
- Staples has £10 off orders over £100 with code 299000187 from . Expires July 31
Five top freebies
- New members can get a Aldi Back to School uniform package. Sign up at and buy the package in store for £5.
- Kids eat free at Loch Fyne Seafood & Grill restaurants, Monday to Sunday until 6pm. Valid from July 17 until September 4.
- Want to be in the audience for Games of Thrones’ Thronecast? Get free tickets at .
- Get a free Aperol Spritz or bottle of Old Mout Cider from Pitcher & Piano. Sign up for the newsletter at .
- Try lactose free milk from Just Milk. Visit .