[terrymaloy]

I have a slight problem and am now beginning to lose my patience.
A local domestic cleaner got me a job cleaning a couple of carpets at the same house he was doing the general cleaning. (end of let)
We both turned up at the same time and did what we were supposed to do and left...my fee was £90

He was paid by the "agent" of the rented house by cheque (his fee and mine) which totalled £200

Its now came to light, the cheque has bounced...the agent now has a new telephone number (the old one doesnt exist), and the agent doesnt have an office. The cleaner was stupid enough to turn up on the day and meet him and hand the keys back on completion...unawares to me !

That was 6 weeks ago and it looks to me like a perfect scam.

The cleaner keeps on ringing me saying he is trying to track him down because he too is out of pocket.
I dont think its the cleaner trying to pull a fast one as I've worked with him in the past and no doubt in the future.
At the end of the day I did a job and want £90.
Do I ask the cleaner for it...he got me the job after all ?
or do I just put it down to "we been had" 

[Paul Simpson]

If he gives you regular work and probably will do in the future I would join forces in finding them, if the letting agent is still in business in the area both keep an eye out and you might find them.

If you don't plan on dealing with him again then ask him for the money and tell him he hired you so hes paying, don't see why you should be out of pocket.

[Mike Halliday]

who owns the house you cleaned? do they know how to contact the agent?

who has the most money you or the general cleaner? if the  cleaner has 20 staff, a big house and a villa in Spain then ask him for the money but it he's  a one man band then give him a break

[John Atkinson]

Why don't you call the police? After all this is a kind of scam, let them deal with it. And as it is written in the previous post, if the cleaner is a one man band do not ask him for your money...He is scammed too...Wish you luck! I hope you will write when you resolve the problem..

[Steve Rothwell]

For a cost of £1 or £2 you can find the owner of the property via the land registry, and then issue a claim for the amount owed, this can all be done online, cost of the claim is £70 if the owner does not respond then you can put a charge on the property. However usually by this stage the owner has paid up, as he does not want a ccj on his property. I find that a letter before action is enough to prompt the owner to cough up, and then try to get it back from the letting agent.