Do I need to pay?

Lizonvacation

In 2005/06 we had central heating installed in a property we were renovating. The boiler and radiator system were not installed to our satisfaction and months went buy trying to resolve the issues.
The boiler used excessive amounts of gas and didn't heat the radiators. Every part of the system was installed by this heating company and this included connecting into a new water main and new gas supply and meter.
Over a 3 month period the company did TRY to find out why some of radiators were remaining cold and yet the boiler was continually firing up and using amazing amounts of gas.
The gas meter was checked and was found to be OK but noisy
the company drained the system, refilled, checked filters etc several times
Eventually, I arranged for the system to be inspected by Glow worm and they found that their boiler was still set at the original factory setting ( small house) and therefore had note been calibrated for a 3 bedroom house? This is a standard procedure a was specified in the manual.
The delay in sorting out the central heating system meant that we couldn't market the house and allow viewings
We had to redecorate several times and make good walls
Radiators were damaged
The company never issued us with a 'bench mark' book, a drawing with the pipe runs, a guarantee or an Invoice!
We received a statement of account but disputed the amount £14K and offered £12K. Then three years went by and we were then asked to pay. We then found out that the person chasing us for money was no longer a director! I spoke with the person still running the company and agreed that we could pay £7K. The offer was left on the table last February 2011 and then everything went quiet again and we still did not receive an invoice! Now the company has started to chase us again. We are not sure whether we are obliged to pay given that it has been such a long time and given that we haven't ever received an actual invoice? Our financial situation is very grim and money is tight...which we told them last year! Any advice would be most helpful

fermi

When would you say the work was "completed", if you can ever say it was? Even if there was a dispute on some, presumably as you made offer of payment then you agree at least some was completed and payable for.

The after that when you made offer to pay, did you do that in writing at all? If so, when?

With statute barred debts, you first of all have the "cause of action". Which is arguably when work that should be paid for is completed. The 6 year clock for them to take action over non payment would start for the very first time then.

Then after that each time you make a payment or acknowledge the debt in writing (only writing counts), you reset that 6 years clock.

So it's important to try and work out when it first started, and if/when you reset it.

With the issues of disputed work etc wrapped up in this, there may not be 100% simple answers to that. You may need to have a chat with a debt advisor from NDL

People who wrote this ---> http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=25_liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act

or perhaps more formal legal advice.