Old Cheque 31 January 2011 at 2:04PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Budgeting & Bank Accounts 5 replies 806 views

moneypenny2k

I've just found a pile of mail addressed to me in the flat that I rented out to a nice couple. They didn't pass it on. Sadly there are water bills and so on in there that are now with debt collectors as they've not been paid. Me thinking they were being paid by the tenants :mad:

BUT it's not all bad news. In there is a cheque written out in Oct 09. Can I just put it in my bank account now or do I need to go back to the company that issued it?

Any ideas?

jambosans

If the cheque is over 6 months old (as a general rule of thumb) your bank may not oblige. It's worth a try, and if not, get the company to re-issue the cheque.

mayling03

Agree with jambosans, cheques have a 6 mont expiry, speak to issuer, photocopy and send cheque if need be and they should be able to reissue.

moneypenny2k

Thanks for your answers. I was going to the bank anyway today so I paid it in with no trouble. If it comes back to me I'll write to the issuer and get it re issued.

Many thanks

spenderdave

I was advised last week that a cheque somebody had written out in error as 2010 shouldn't be paid in. It could easily be returned by the issuer's bank even if accepted by your bank cashier, and wasn't worth the risk. If you have his address explain the situation and ask for a replacement.

Mikeyorks

spenderdave wrote: »

It could easily be returned by the issuer's bank .

Unlikely. The drawer's Bank only tend to look at the physical cheque if there's the possibility of dishonouring it based on value / available funds. Otherwise they just work off the electronic files created in Clearing.

The more likely reason for return is if the drawer keeps an eye on their accounts and spots an old cheque being debited. In which case they can ask their Bank to dishonour it retrospectively .. if within 6 overall days.