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Late Charge of a 'Checkout Fee'

Approx 4 months ago my tennancy came to an end & I moved into a house that I had just bought.
My Deposit was returned 3 weeks after the end of the tennancy, complete with final balance statement. All OK. Or so I thought.
About 1 month later I received an invoice stating that the 'Checkout fee' was not charged to my account. The Fee £110.00 + VAT was then demanded of me via a separate invoice.
Yes, this fee is stated in the small print of the tenancy agreement. But surely it's not my fault they overlooked this in the final statment/deposit return?
They are now threatening court action to get me to pay.
What should I do?
«1

Comments

  • slyracoon
    slyracoon Posts: 428 Forumite
    before40 wrote: »
    What should I do?

    Pay.

    You signed a contract agreeing to pay it. I'd imagine you'd lose in court if it got that far unless you have some paperwork or a receipt from the letting agent with some wording like "account settled in full".
  • BitterAndTwisted
    BitterAndTwisted Posts: 22,492 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Pay it! It's in the contract therefore you should keep to your side of the agreement regardless of them having made an error. If they take you to court they will win and I would not want a CCJ for the sake of a hundred quid
  • tyler80
    tyler80 Posts: 364 Forumite
    Did you pay a check in fee as well?
  • DVardysShadow
    DVardysShadow Posts: 18,949 Forumite
    If the contract states the fee of £110 + VAT, pay it, If the contract only says a fee is available, but does not state the amount, argue about the amount being unreasonable, but expect to pay what a court would see as a reasonable fee for all the work involved.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • BitterAndTwisted
    BitterAndTwisted Posts: 22,492 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You will probably find that your final balance statement includes the abbreviation "E & O E" somewhere.
  • tyler80 wrote: »
    Did you pay a check in fee as well?
    No, didn't pay a check in fee
  • You will probably find that your final balance statement includes the abbreviation "E & O E" somewhere.
    It doesn't - will this help my case?
  • BitterAndTwisted
    BitterAndTwisted Posts: 22,492 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Not necessarily but a sensible business would have included them. Why don't you just pay it?
  • casper_g
    casper_g Posts: 1,110 Forumite
    Why don't you just pay it?

    I can think of 132 reasons not to pay it.* That said, if the fee was detailed in the contract signed by the OP then it should be paid.

    *That is, 120 reasons + VAT
  • I've written a letter to the agency detailing my concerns of how this was missed.
    Will be interesting to see how they respond......
This discussion has been closed.
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