Car lease ended during lockdown

ACowie

My car lease ended on 15th April. The car was due to be collected on 1st April, however this was cancelled due to the lockdown. I booked it in for collection as soon as I received a text from BCA to say that restrictions had eased and it was picked up on 22nd May. The leasing company have just sent me a bill for an extra 37 days that it was with me (granting a 14 day waiver, but obviously charging me the extra rental). Is this right given that it was beyond my control? I already forked out for the extra insurance whilst it was still in my possession. Thanks!

AdrianC

It was available for you to use, wasn't it?

Mercdriver

You might have had more of an argument had you SORN'd it.  

CasualBagger

Do you have a copy of the terms and conditions? If they send you a bill then it should be backed up by something you have contractually agreed to in writing. 

Grumpy_chap

Did they cancel the collection?
Counter their invoice with your claim for storage charges.  In hindsight, you should have notified them from 15th April that you no longer had the car taxed or insured and it was all at their risk.
Did you actually use the car beyond the lease end date?

Jonesya

You need to read your terms and conditions in your contract and see what it says about the end date and how it is determined and adjusted.

If the contract runs until the car is collected then while unfortunate, you'd probably have to pay. If it states that the contract ends on a specific date irrespective of how rapidly they collect the car, then you might have a case.