When you've done the work and they just won't pay!!

Hi All,

Justs wondered if anyone else has experienced non-payment by a client for the work you have done?

Have just spent the last eight weeks meeting and greeting, cleaning, laundering, washing windows and terraces between clients, providing fresh linen during two-weeks stay etc., etc., whilst trying to ensure that an inadequately equipped (not enough bed linen/towels for change-over and turnaround cleans) meets with the visiting clients expectations.........not easy juggling all the balls!!

However, the apartment owner requested the return of their keys (with no explanation) and demanded a final statement of account which, upon receiving it, she has refused to pay and (in no uncertain terms) told me to f****off and leave her alone! Hardly the language of a professional, but maybe an insight into the personality of this individual?

None of her visiting clients have complained regarding the condition or state of cleanliness of her apartment, nor the services I have provided for them, so I am at a loss regarding her actions, both emotionally and financially!

Does anyone know where I can go from here? What actions can I take in order that this person does not get away without paying her dues? She has already engaged another "keyholder", and I certainly hope that she doesn't treat them with the contempt she has treated me!!! This person has received monies from her rental clients whilst I have done all the  hard work.......it hardly seems fair!

Your comments and advice will be gratefully received.

 

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You can start a " small debts procedure against them". It is called Monitorio and you do not need a lawyer if the debt is under 900 euros.

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Thank you Maria,

Your advice is much appreciated!

Where does one start this procedure?

Should the court find in my favour, what chance do I have of actually getting the money as she is unlikely to return to Spain due to her attempting to sell her property?

Regards.

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Hi Maria (sorry to hijack the thread Pedro, but I was going to ask a similar question myself). 

Do you think this system is similar to the UK small claims service, albeit with a lower claim value? In the UK, the defendent would receive a county court judgement that would sit on their credit file and make gaining credit difficult in the following 6 years. Gaining this CCJ also allows you to instruct the bailiffs. 

I am looking at reclaiming some money from a builder for their lack of replacement of broken fittings. The builders aren't playing ball and it will cost me €150 to fix myself. I did tell them if I heard nothing, I would make good myslef and reclaim from them, this seems the ideal way

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( answers in green)

PedroinSpain: 

You said: 

Where does one start this procedure? First Instance Court where the deffendant have an address.

Should the court find in my favour, what chance do I have of actually getting the money as she is unlikely to return to Spain due to her attempting to sell her property? Do not commence proceeding is she has no assets to execute in Spain. It would be useless.

Marksfish: 

You said: 

 In the UK, the defendent would receive a county court judgement that would sit on their credit file and make gaining credit difficult in the following 6 years. Gaining this CCJ also allows you to instruct the bailiffs.  There is not a similar insrument in Spain. It would be useful though.

I am looking at reclaiming some money from a builder for their lack of replacement of broken fittings. The builders aren't playing ball and it will cost me €150 to fix myself. I did tell them if I heard nothing, I would make good myslef and reclaim from them, this seems the ideal way .  They may also have an Insurance to cover these claims. Ask the builder for a copy of his policy. That may suffice for him to react.



This message was last edited by mariadecastro on 9/16/2008.

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Hi Pedro,

I sympathise with you having had similiar clients. We provide an excellent service and carry out that extra bit of work for free and generally people appreciate it. However, occasionally you get people who let their properties get hold of their money and dont like to part with it. Maybe its the distance, out of sight out of mind. What they dont realise is that we all work very hard to ensure good customer service and when this happens its disheartening.

At present we are trying to find extra cleaning jobs etc to keep hold of the really good people we have through the winter. This is another area you will encounter in the dispair department where people want you to do things for nothing. We dont ever comprimise on quality and find it insulting at times when people assume you can provide a rolls royce service for pushbike rates.

I personally take payments when work is requested until there is a good confident relationship and never get into market trading situations.

It is sometimes not cost effective to recover small debts and not worth the hassle.

Dont let it get you down though as this is typical in all industries where a few spoil the perception for the majority. I'm sure when you sit back and reconcile that your satisfied customers will always out weigh the few.

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