Small claims help needed please

JakeSquirrell

Hi i made a claim against one of my window cleaning customers that had a outstanding bill over a long period of time. The amount was £21 (Was about the principle) I have just had a response from them and they have paid the £21 into my bank account, Should my £25 fee also be included? Thanks in advance

pinkshoes

JakeSquirrell wrote: »

Hi i made a claim against one of my window cleaning customers that had a outstanding bill over a long period of time. The amount was £21 (Was about the principle) I have just had a response from them and they have paid the £21 into my bank account, Should my £25 fee also be included? Thanks in advance

Did you send a letter before action, giving them adequate time to oay the £21 before starting the court proceeding?

Have they only paid once they received the court papers? If so, then I would write to them, thanking them for their payment, then give them 14 days to also pay the £25 court fees, otherwise you will continue the process and also include your administration time and costs e.g. Stamps, letter writing etc...

JakeSquirrell

Also the date for a response was the 31st of May so they are also late. They paid me privately into my bank is that the way payment should be made? So i definitely should receive the £25 court fee as well, just concerned as i am down money from taking this route. And yes i sent a letter before action as well, Thanks

bod1467

Then you already have the answer you need.

pinkshoes

So you sent a letter before action giving them until the 31st May to pay?

How many did this allow them to pay?

Did you get proof of postage or delivery for the letter before action (LBA) that you sent?

You will need to write to them stating that as they failed to pay by the 31st May 2016, as per the LBA, then you have already started court proceedings (send a copy) so an additional fee of X is owed, which must be paid by <date>.mif they do not pay, then you will continue with the court procedure adding admin fees.

The court might want proof that you gave then sufficient time to pay before taking it to court, so the above questions are important.