Letter Before Action

[PhoebeBuffay]

I need to write to my neighbours as they are refusing to pay for some Emergency Works that have already been carried out. A solicitor wants £500 plus VAT for 1 letter which I could probably draft myself - I understand a letter from a solicitor would have more impact than one that comes directly from me, however, the works total is only £2000 so spending that much on solicitors seems very silly... does anyone have any pointers on what to include in a Letter Before Action?

To give some background, I am in the UK and live in a block of 3 flats, we are all joint leaseholders/freeholders with an equal share of the freehold. The works were carried out last year because I was selling my flat and the buyer had to get electrical surveys and works done to the communal hall to make it mortgageable and to validate the insurance... I pulled the sale eventually and promised to pay the buyer back. I have already paid my 1/3, and I will be paying the rest over the next couple of months... he discounted it from over £3000 to £2000 as a gesture of goodwill (and to pressure me to agree to a payment plan!)

[HariSeldon]

You simply state the reasons why the other neighbours are legally liable for the electrical work, give them a reasonable deadline to pay it and advise that if they don't you will start a claim in the county court, adding interest and litigant-in-person costs.

For what it's worth, on the brief details you have provided, I am not convinced the neighbours are liable and you may be throwing good money after bad; it sounds more like the work was for your benefit than essential 'Emergency Works' and the "discounting as a gesture of goodwill" sounds very odd but obviously only you know the full details of the matter.