Dispute with handyman

utab007

Morning

I have property I let out. My last tenant left end of Nov 2013 and was penalised for some damage on checkout. On request the letting agency asked a local handyman to provide a quote for all the repairs. In my opinion the quote was a bit on the high side at £400, but as the the new tenant was due to move in straightaway I decided to go ahead without any delay to avoid any hassle from the tenant later.

The handyman turned up about 3 weeks later to do the work. I think the handyman had to revisit the property a few times on the tenants request. She told me the repairs are rushed and this results in revisits. By this time we are approaching end of March 2013 as each visit from the handyman or his employees can take a few weeks.

Before making payment I went around to check the work and also made sure the tenant was happy all the work has been completed.

About a month later the tenant told me the bathroom basin tap has a leak. You need to tighten the taps hard to stop the tap dripping and the problem is getting worse. At first I thought this was a new issue, but I soon discovered the handyman invoiced me to supply and fit a new bathroom basin tap, but this work was never carried out.

I have contacted the handyman to get this resolved, but the relationship is not great as I was unhappy the work done took months to complete. He is refusing to refund to difference OR replace the tap. I have all the email trail from him which includes quote, invoice and refusal to refund or complete work.

Is it worth me pursuing this in small claims court?

Thanks

utab007

Forgot to say, I checked the property but unfortunately this item got missed. Will this look bad if I decide to take this to small claims court? Can I also claim compensation for my time chasing him, etc?

visidigi

Did you contract the handyman or did the agency do it on your behalf?

Hintza

You are on to a hiding to nothing with this and if it was me I would try to get him back but if that didn't happen I think I would just have it repaired and move on ensuring he never darkened my door again.

The question you have to ask is it worth the hassle of a big fight to pursue him?

utab007

visidigi wrote: »

Did you contract the handyman or did the agency do it on your behalf?

The letting agency contacted the handyman and forwarded the quote he to me via email. When i discuss it with them now they make it clear it's between me and him to sort out. Also, made it clear i need to pay him myself when relationship broke down. So i think that means his contract is with me

Bantex_2

Sounds like around 30 or 40 quids worth of work. Would have thought not worth the bother.

may just be a 20p washer and a ten minute job.

visidigi

utab007 wrote: »

The letting agency contacted the handyman and forwarded the quote he to me via email. When i discuss it with them now they make it clear it's between me and him to sort out. Also, made it clear i need to pay him myself when relationship broke down. So i think that means his contract is with me

If you agreed the quote direct with the handyman then its your contract, if the agency agreed with the handy man when you approved the quote then its their contract.

It might be easier for you to have them deal with it if it is their contract given the relationship is clearly broken.

The problem is the fallout for you could be much worse as you could fall out with your agent etc etc.

For the sake of a tap, I would question, but then to be honest, its not the cost, if they have invoiced for a tap they didn't fit then that's fraud.

Very much a case of principle here now I guess.

eskimo26

If an agent got a quote from someone of their choice then passed the buck like this I would be making it pretty clear I would be taking my business elsewhere, it's not as if there's a shortage of agents.

vuvuzela

Bantex wrote: »

Sounds like around 30 or 40 quids worth of work. Would have thought not worth the bother.

may just be a 20p washer and a ten minute job.

So you'd be happy with a situation where "I soon discovered the handyman invoiced me to supply and fit a new bathroom basin tap, but this work was never carried out"

If so, I've got a car for sale. Payment upfront but you won't ever get the car. Interested ?

dacouch

eskimo26 wrote: »

If an agent got a quote from someone of their choice then passed the buck like this I would be making it pretty clear I would be taking my business elsewhere, it's not as if there's a shortage of agents.

Bearing in mind it's fairly standard in the letting agent field for the tradesman to give back to the letting agent between 10% and 20% of the job price for an introducers fee.

Probably explains why you felt the job was a bit over priced as the tradesmen normally add the back hander to the price of the job