what next, debtors not paying

blue03water

I have recently taken on voluntary position for managing payment and debts of school club.
We had one parent who was using the club regulary, was invoiced and chased for payment. Then without notice her son did not attend again. She did not pay a penny and left with over £250 owing. A letter was sent to the parent in Nov and Jan with no response from the parent. I then sent a further letter in Feb, no response, then sent final reminder one 1st class and one recorded still not response. I then issued a claim online. She has now made contact but states she can only pay £10 a month. I know we have to accept this as this is better than nothing but where do we stand if she doesn't make payment on time or stops paying. The school club is non profit making organisation and has recently had to increases fees etc.. and the same as the parent is also under financial strain, so this isn't something that we would like to write off

Premier_2

blue03water wrote: »

I have recently taken on voluntary position for managing payment and debts of school club.
We had one parent who was using the club regulary, was invoiced and chased for payment. Then without notice her son did not attend again. She did not pay a penny and left with over £250 owing. A letter was sent to the parent in Nov and Jan with no response from the parent. I then sent a further letter in Feb, no response, then sent final reminder one 1st class and one recorded still not response. I then issued a claim online. She has now made contact but states she can only pay £10 a month. I know we have to accept this as this is better than nothing but where do we stand if she doesn't make payment on time or stops paying. The school club is non profit making organisation and has recently had to increases fees etc.. and the same as the parent is also under financial strain, so this isn't something that we would like to write off

What type of school club allows a school kid to amass £250 of unpaid fees??? :huh:

lincroft1710

Premier wrote: »

What type of school club allows a school kid to amass £250 of unpaid fees??? :huh:

A poorly managed one. No reflection on OP as they inherited this problem.

vax2002

The claim would require a very good water tight signed contract, so do be careful

lincroft1710

blue03water wrote: »

I then issued a claim online. She has now made contact but states she can only pay £10 a month. I know we have to accept this as this is better than nothing but where do we stand if she doesn't make payment on time or stops paying. The school club is non profit making organisation and has recently had to increases fees etc.. and the same as the parent is also under financial strain, so this isn't something that we would like to write off

Your post implies there was no case heard. You would have to issue a further claim, get a judgement and enforce any further non payment by bailiff action. She would lose a lot more than what she owed if bailiffs were involved, so the threat of such action may persuade to stick to the agreement to pay, should she default.

blue03water

I submitted claim online through money claim, where it give 14 days for defendant to reply. She did not respond through money claim but sent a letter directly to myself stating she could only pay £10 month. I thought I would put together payment plan but wanted to know our position if she stopped paying. Just wanted to be clear about next steps. She did sign contract and and terms and conditions which said she would pay in advance, I know it should never have got to this stage and it is lesson learnt to those who managing club at the time, the parent promised payment would be made, but then dissapeared. We've now introduced due dates, late payment charges, and suspension of place for future terms for non payment to stop this happending again. But I just wanted to be clear If she defaults again, as suggested we should submit another claim and submit for judgement, or advise that it will be passed to bailiff.

PasturesNew

You could take a community-friendly approach and find out if she will put some effort into organising some fund raising activities for the club to clear the debt.

Savvy_Sue

blue03water wrote: »

We've now introduced due dates, late payment charges, and suspension of place for future terms for non payment to stop this happending again.

I don't know what your pickup systems are like, but I would give some thought to what you do if a child turns up / is picked up that you're not taking. Probably not too bad if you are on the school premises, you can just say "oh sorry Fred, you're not booked in today, let's go back to the office and get them to check where Mum is" - but the main thing is that have to do it without making the child aware that they can't come because Mum hasn't paid, IYSWIM!

PasturesNew wrote: »

You could take a community-friendly approach and find out if she will put some effort into organising some fund raising activities for the club to clear the debt.

I think that could get 'interesting' ...

blue03water

The child doesn't attend anymore and believe also due to finish at the school this year. That is a really good idea about fund raising, I will suggest that in the reply letter I issue.
Thank you for your all your feedback and comments, very much appreciated