We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Billed for unauthorised home repairs
Puddlejumper22
Posts: 1 Newbie
A few months ago our neighbour passed away, we live in lower victrorian conversion and the neighbour lived upstairs.
She did not own the property and as such it is being sold by her landlord who lives 400 miles ahway. The landlord is in her late 80's and instructed a local solicitors \ estate agent to deal with all aspects of the sale.
The solicitor spoke to me advising of work required to the roof and guttering which is shared. He had a builder with him at the time that was viewing to quote for the job. I told him that I would only agree to the work upon the builder supplying a written quotation that I agreed to.
The solicitor instructed the work to be done anyway without our authorisation and whilst we were at work so it could not be stopped.
They have since advised us that we have to pay half the £700 bill. I did not at any time agree to the work either verbally or in writing as I was never supplied the quote. The solicitor knows this is the case but is threatening small claims court.
Do they have a case here or is this just a case of bully boy tactics in the hope we will pay up to avoid court?
She did not own the property and as such it is being sold by her landlord who lives 400 miles ahway. The landlord is in her late 80's and instructed a local solicitors \ estate agent to deal with all aspects of the sale.
The solicitor spoke to me advising of work required to the roof and guttering which is shared. He had a builder with him at the time that was viewing to quote for the job. I told him that I would only agree to the work upon the builder supplying a written quotation that I agreed to.
The solicitor instructed the work to be done anyway without our authorisation and whilst we were at work so it could not be stopped.
They have since advised us that we have to pay half the £700 bill. I did not at any time agree to the work either verbally or in writing as I was never supplied the quote. The solicitor knows this is the case but is threatening small claims court.
Do they have a case here or is this just a case of bully boy tactics in the hope we will pay up to avoid court?
0
Comments
-
You say the roof (etc) is shared - ie you have shared responsibility for maintainance. Is there any formal agreement in place re division of bills etc? In your deeds, perhaps?
It will depend on what formal agreement is in place whether the solicitor has a case. Given you are dealing with a solicitors I would assume they will have no problem instigating a court case and may well then also sue for (their) costs. So your defence will be based on what agreement is in place to maintain the shared areas and how either party can instigate repairs and employ a builder. ie does it HAVE to be agreed prior to work starting by both occupiers.Don't put it DOWN; put it AWAY"I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness" Emily Dickinson
Janice 1964-2016
Thank you Honey Bear0 -
See what your lease says about repairs.
You would normally get three quotes for a job before going ahead. I'd be tempted to get another builder round to get a second opinion on the cost, then if it lines up, just pay.Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')
No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.2K Spending & Discounts
- 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.4K Life & Family
- 258.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards