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Hello
Hope everyone is ok.
I run a small business and rent office space.
During COVID-19, I asked my landlord if they could provide any rent relief. They agreed over the phone that I could pay half rent for six months. Unfortunately, due to the stress of the pandemic and managing my business, I didn’t get this agreement in writing.
After the six months, I resumed paying the normal rent. However, I later received a bill for the remaining half of the rent from those six months. I explained that I had discussed this with someone over the phone and was told it was fine, but they denied any such agreement.
I then received follow-up letters, and eventually an enforcement notice, demanding I pay the full amount. Without any written proof, I felt I had no choice but to pay the amount owed.
A few days after making the payment, I received another bill from their solicitors for £3,000, claiming I had to cover their legal fees since, by paying, I effectively accepted liability. When I called the solicitors, they said that because I was the “losing party,” I had to pay their costs. They offered to reduce the fee to £2,500 and allow monthly payments of £500 but warned they would start enforcement action if I didn’t comply.
Is this legal? I was not informed beforehand that paying the enforcement notice would result in additional costs. There was no prior breakdown of these charges, and nothing indicated I would owe solicitor fees by paying the invoice.
Thanks
D
Hope everyone is ok.
I run a small business and rent office space.
During COVID-19, I asked my landlord if they could provide any rent relief. They agreed over the phone that I could pay half rent for six months. Unfortunately, due to the stress of the pandemic and managing my business, I didn’t get this agreement in writing.
After the six months, I resumed paying the normal rent. However, I later received a bill for the remaining half of the rent from those six months. I explained that I had discussed this with someone over the phone and was told it was fine, but they denied any such agreement.
I then received follow-up letters, and eventually an enforcement notice, demanding I pay the full amount. Without any written proof, I felt I had no choice but to pay the amount owed.
A few days after making the payment, I received another bill from their solicitors for £3,000, claiming I had to cover their legal fees since, by paying, I effectively accepted liability. When I called the solicitors, they said that because I was the “losing party,” I had to pay their costs. They offered to reduce the fee to £2,500 and allow monthly payments of £500 but warned they would start enforcement action if I didn’t comply.
Is this legal? I was not informed beforehand that paying the enforcement notice would result in additional costs. There was no prior breakdown of these charges, and nothing indicated I would owe solicitor fees by paying the invoice.
Thanks
D
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