Legal advice thread

[Masood]

I've just had to ask a solicitor for a bit of advice and it occurred to me that we may be able to share our little bits of knowledge, with the caveat that it could only be for general advice as all situations vary.

Maybe this could eventually become a sticky?

My situation is - I was called out in an emergency by a tenant, who asked me to invoice the lettings agency direct for the work. I've done this dozens of times without problems so I agreed. This time, the agency have not paid the full invoice, deducting the "finder's fee" that the emergency plumbers' website charges.

The legal position on this is that the lettings agency is not bound by any terms and conditions, as they did not see them beforehand, and that my contract is with the tenant who called me out.

I'm no longer going to invoice agencies direct unless booked by the agency. The tenant pays immediately, and then claims back off the agency.

Hope this may be of some use to someone else.

 

[lame plumber]

never go to work for a tenant unless the landlord authorises it first, or the tenant agrees to pay you and claim it back. Lesson one in being a callout service! re the agents re invoice and threaten small claims unless full invoice paid. Only a small amount but I hate people taking the wee wee

 

[Masood]

never go to work for a tenant unless the landlord authorises it first, or the tenant agrees to pay you and claim it back.

Yeah, lesson learnt! :angry_smile:

re the agents re invoice and threaten small claims unless full invoice paid. Only a small amount but I hate people taking the wee wee

Well, the solicitor (mate's wife) said that I need to claim from the tenant. I agree, small amount but it's the principle.