- This topic has 22 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 5 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Just wanted to sound it off, like all of us are on the lookout for more work and looking for creative ways to get the job.
Recently a local estate agent heard about me and rang up to say that they have few repair jobs on their book and possibly with the view to appoint me as the preferred nominated repair man. While this sounds exciting, I would have grabbed it but the catch is that I would not be paid for the work until the tenant paid their rent and I would be reimbursed for the work carried out. Therefore they are asking 30 days invoice.
I had a lot of trouble with one estate agent who persistently playing the game by not paying promptly and I spent quite a lot of time chasing it up and in the end I got paid after a month and half when I threatened to take them to small claim courts. I would have thought they learnt their lessons but they kept doing it not twice but thrice, in the end I severed ties with this agent.
So the burning question is how or has any other engineers dealt with 30 days invoice request from estate agents? My suppliers gives me 30 days but often it’s relating to the month rather than from the date of invoice except for one supplier so it would not give me enough time to settle it if I had to wait for payment from the estate agents.
Re: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
I now tell all estate agents the tenant has to pay on the visit and claim the money back from them.
If thay do not except this then I decline the work.
Estate agents are now finding it hard to find repairers due to most agents are slow to pay.
Also estate agents are finding it hard at the moment and more are closing and then you are not paid.
I now have had a few agents who have agreed to my terms as thay cannot find repairers and the presure from tennants to have appliances fixed.
The tenants who have not agreed to pay but demanded a repair the estate agent or property owner have met me on the visit and paid.
If thay cannot get an alternative repairer then thay will agree to your terms.
Some estate agents try to get out of paying saying the tenant left without paying the rent, This is not an excuse not to pay as tenants pay a deposit and your agreement to repair was with them and not the tenant.
This is what I do but it depends on how much you need the work and if you can afford to risk not getting paid or the time chasing up payments.
I hope this helps you decide.
BobRe: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
twicknix wrote:I would not be paid for the work until the tenant paid their rent and I would be reimbursed for the work carried out. Therefore they are asking 30 days invoice.
And if that tenant defaults on their rent you don’t see your money either, nice. There’s a lot of Estate Agents out there that operate that same ploy…not good.
Remember, trading terms operate BOTH ways and it would not be unreasonable to state your terms by insisting that all work undertaken must be settled in full within 28days of invoice…!!!
Re: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
i deal with lots of estate agents and most of them have a 30 day invioce time, the reason i was told is because they have to have the rent paid into their account first and this could be any time up to 30 days. I have worked this way for years without any of them scamming me.
Re: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
same as that
i do work for a number of letting agents and have never had any problems waiting the 30daysEstate agents asking for 30 days invoice
It all depends on the letting agent, I’m hiring myself out to around 10 and they all have a maintenance fund. 30 days is ample as sometimes I’m paid a day or a week after doing a job. Other times it goes right up to the wire but I always get paid.
Re: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
A few years back with the ever increase in new Landlords and letting agencies springing up we had a number of thirty day accounts themed on 30 days when the tennant had paid their rent. It came to pass that some of these were slow payers and that entailed a lot of time and effort pursuing them for money.
Ever since this time I restructured the terms of business for this sector, any landlord or agency requiring us to work for them pays the labour charges up front BEFORE we will call, in the event that the appliance requires spares then we call them for further payment again before the job is completed. All money is up front and we do not have the worry or effort of chasing them for outstanding monies, If this arrangement does not suit them then it does not suit us and they can find some other mug to take the journey.
You only need a job where say the work is all completed and you are sat there waiting for 30 days to pass to get your money, in the meantime some form of dispute has occurred between the landlord and tenant and the tenant is with holding the rent or part of it. The landlord cannot or will not then pay you until its all sorted out. After all said and done its the landlord or agency who are entering into the contract to engage you and they are the ones who should pay. In the instance where you get your money before the call this alleviates your risk and its the only way we will operate now to our profit.
Re: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
It’s like what Sumari said – depends how much you want the job and how much risk you are willing to take.
Profyaffle says he always get paid even right up to the wire. I do get paid but as the deadline looms, you have to wonder if you should remind them of the deadline or wait for them to default before you can start reminding them. It’s kind of boiled down to how much equity I have to tide me over until I get paid and the manpower (the amount of spare time to chase up for payments) – it’s can be challenging for a one man band. I am sure most of you have managed it and had no issues.
In theory I could allow one agent to have 30 days and see how it develops, I would have to check their profile and how they operates first before giving them 30 days invoice. I am liking the 28 days invoice which sounds good compromise.
Does anyone set out the terms and conditions of the invoice? would it be printed on the back of the invoice or simply write down 30 days invoice? Can anyone give me an example on how to put the terms and conditions on the invoice? I use duplicate invoice so I am limited to what I can put on although I wonder if it is acceptable to staple the terms and conditions on to the invoice before handing over to the agents?
Re: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
Why not get some proper invoices printed, on the reverse of those you could state all your T&Cs both for business to business and domestic customers, in any event 30 days settlement without exception, after which late charges, and interest accrue, and that the title of any goods and services provided that ownership of those do not pass until paid for in full. All businesses have T & C just like your letting agent does and just because your a sole trader does not put you at a disadvantage and you should not be concerned about making them aware of your T&Cs. Personally I cannot see any difference between 28 or 30 days, eitherway YOU have to wait for them to decide to pay you.
Re: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
Waiting for payment from the tennants rent is a bad game letting agents play and we wont do work for any that do that. Been caught out by tennants holding back rent for other reasons or moving out with arrears and the letting refusing to pay as “no money in the rent account” “We’ll contact the landlord and see IF he will pay you direct” Like it’s my problem!
Nige
Re: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
I was wise enough to turn down the work when they said waiting for payment from tenants rent. I used to manage a property via a letting agent, you would not believe the length they would go to screw people be it contractors, tenants or landlords on top of this they charge 10{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} for screwing people.
Most of all they blame it all on tenants and still get the cream of the management fees for bad management and bad practices.
I tend to go for landlord rather than agents, they will meet you at the address and pay you promptly at the end.
Re: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
twicknix wrote:Where do I get proper invoices printed?
I reckon your best bet would be to try a local printers or have a look on the net
Re: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
I also have no problems with the Estate Agents I work for -, always been paid within or 30 days of the Invoice, any agent who delays or makes excuses – stop working for them, when agents call they want same day/ next day service so why should us Engineers wait any longer to be paid, still hear from other engineers on my travels who have to wait 2 – 3 months for payment! Remember if they call the Manufactuer – most charge before they visit the property.
Barry
Re: Estate agents asking for 30 days invoice
still hear from other engineers on my travels who have to wait 2 – 3 months for payment! Remember if they call the Manufactuer – most charge before they visit the property.
Could it be that they know something we don’t then ? Its no different to the landlord or Agent going down to Tesco’s for there shopping, they Pay before they leave the store with it ! why should we be expected to wait a month or more to obtain payment. As I said we have no problems with this sector paying as they go, they get a quick service and a reasonable price and we get paid without any hassles. To be honest the only time any of these sectors have said they are not prepared to pay you can just sense that getting your money is gonna be a mission along with all the other bother they try and throw at you but we have more paying landlords and Agents so can afford to pass these ones on to anyone else willing to take the chance.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.