[AuRavelling79]

After receiving advice on this forum I did my own "letter before action" on my headed paper instead of a Thomas Higgins type solicitor, with a made-up form attached setting out the next steps if unpaid.

The debt was only £20 for two cleans on a £10 house and I stopped cleaning in January as reminder for clean ignored. I knocked and put reminders through when I was cleaning in the road in February and April. I believe custy was hiding on at least one occasion.

I put the LBA through on 24th May and gave 7 days to respond.

Yesterday I set up a moneyclaim online account with all the details and was ready to hit pay and send when Mrs Gold said I should give custy a week past the 7 days "in case they were on holiday" and to be reasonable.

So I decided to activate on 3rd June if I hadn't been paid.

Cheque arrived today.

RESULT! (If it doesn't bounce!  )

Note: Get your custies first and last names as MCOL asks for this when filling out the claim. Fortunately I had both in this case. 

[g.brookes]

thats great news.  not too optimistic about mine at the mo- sent a thomas higgins letter 9 days ago now and still not been paid.

[AuRavelling79]

thats great news.  not too optimistic about mine at the mo- sent a thomas higgins letter 9 days ago now and still not been paid.

Did it give a length of time to respond (eg 7/14/28 days?)

I gave 7 days and got paid at 12 days. Fortunately for both me and the custy I hadn't actioned my letter.

[dave0123]

with thomas higgins you can only have choose 3 days for them to pay, or 7 days to pay.


Next step is to go to court mr g.books dont worry it wont get there but its a lovely feeling when it adds £65.00 on to there bill.

ive done it about 4 times now court proceedings every one settled it as soon as that hit the door mat.

[AuRavelling79]

thats great news.  not too optimistic about mine at the mo- sent a thomas higgins letter 9 days ago now and still not been paid.

Did it give a length of time to respond (eg 7/14/28 days?)

I gave 7 days and got paid at 12 days. Fortunately for both me and the custy I hadn't actioned my letter.

Famous last words - the cheque has been returned to me "Account Closed". But I have got my money - I'll explain later.

[AuRavelling79]

Ok so here is what happened.

Yesterday I see that £20 unpaid cheque flags up on my account and I presume it's Ms L.

But DtM and Mrs. Gold point out that I probably put a dozen cheques for £20 and it could conceivably be someone else's.

Lo and behold I get confirmation in the post and so have a think as to what to do. I amend my LBA up to £24 to include the cancellation fee and photocopy of the bounced cheque and letter from the bank and decide to deliver a final ultimatum.

Mrs Gold says "let me take it; she might answer the door to me. If not I'll put the letter through and you can go moneyclaim on line next week."

So we take the family car and Mrs G. knocks the door and I wait out of sight.

Long story short Mrs G. nicely collects £24 cash.

Deffo result this time. 

[elite mike]

if in doubt send the mrs out 

nice one malc
 

[DaveG]

if in doubt send the mrs out 

nice one malc
 

Probably the tattoos and skinhead haircut that scared them..

[AuRavelling79]

if in doubt send the mrs out 

nice one malc
 

Probably the tattoos and skinhead haircut that scared them..

Probably - they scare me!