Invoice for property secured after police break in

Invoice for property secured after police break in

10:02 AM, 28th May 2014, About 10 years ago 31

Text Size

I have received an invoice after my property was secured after a police break in. My tenant of 7 years has left the house recently and I’ve given him his deposit back. I am currently getting the property ready to let out again. I commented to him that the front door was difficult to close, and he said it had always been a bit awkward and had got worse recently. I had to pay someone to fix it as best as they could and they told me that it seemed to be twisted and in their opinion had been broken into.

Everything became clear today when I received an invoice from a company who secure property for the police. It was for just over £200. I phoned them to ask why they were sending me a bill, and it appears that the police broke into the house on a ‘welfare issue’ and this company secured the door. This happened in January and they told me that they have sent a number of invoices to the tenant which he has ignored. So they found my name and address on the Land Registry and sent me the bill.

I complained that if they’d let me know earlier I would have been able to deduct it from the tenant’s deposit, and pointed out that they should inform the landlord as it is my property that has been damaged. At this point they offered me £20 off if I pay within 7 days. Invoice for property secured after police break in

I have emailed the tenant to tell him I’ve been sent the invoice and told I have to pay it and he should send me the money asap. Apart from the fact I have his mail in my house I have no hold over him so he has no incentive to pay this bill.

My question is – do I have to pay it? Or can I just give the company my tenant’s new address and tell them to pursue him?

Thanks

Roberta


Share This Article


Comments

John Daley

12:59 PM, 29th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi Roberta,

In this case you did not order the work and the company who did the work have no cause of action against you because no contract exists between you.

Email them saying exactly this and forget all about it. The Police ordered the work, let them pay the bill.

Anon

13:07 PM, 29th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "John Daley" at "29/05/2014 - 12:59":

I agree, it's obvious if you think about it.

Neilt

14:24 PM, 29th May 2014, About 10 years ago

The police raided my commercial property after a tip off that there was a whole load of drugs inside-which there were; 3 million quids worth - hidden in...? See video http://youtu.be/aqkQlMSQm4o
The property was in occupation so there was no need for them to actually break down any doors. Nevertheless they did run through some freshly laid concrete which they destroyed with their great big size 12's. I tendered a bill for £450.00 damages and was pleased to receive a cheque within 3-weeks!
This was four years ago; maybe their policy has changed.

Roberta Goodall

16:10 PM, 29th May 2014, About 10 years ago

From what I've been told by tenant and neighbours the police were right to break in, so I've probably no comeback against them. And I've phoned the company to give them the tenant's new address and they say they don't want it as he's had plenty of time to pay, and they can only take Court action against the legal owner, not against the tenant. She said that I have a tenancy agreement with my tenant and should enforce that. I pointed out yet again that because they were so slow in notifying me my tenant has left.

The tenant has replied to my email asking for the money to say he will bring it at the weekend. We'll see!

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

16:30 PM, 29th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Roberta Goodall" at "29/05/2014 - 16:10":

If your tenants pays up that's a great result.

Please update us either way.
.

Industry Observer

14:51 PM, 30th May 2014, About 10 years ago

The Police do not need a warrant and do not need to be in hot pursuit they can just be responding to any call giving them information that leads them to suspect an offence has been, or may be aboput to be, committed. That offence doesn't even have to be at the property.

It is very difficult to get the Police ever to pay for anything on the basis of what I have just set out. There is some weird and extremely old Statute that I have a note of somewhere, but the odds of any residential property situation falling within its virtual medieval ambit are slim.

The only recourse is to right personally to the Chief Constable, especially if it was the wrong property they effected entry into. I suppose the new Police Commissioners are now another possibility.

Industry Observer

14:57 PM, 30th May 2014, About 10 years ago

In response to Mark's very first comment any decent agreement should have a clause in it so well worded that it enables you to release a tenant's forwarding address (post tenancy address as per PI form?) to any relevant party with a serious enough interest.

@ Romain I agree unless the actions of the tenant generated the Police interest. Then the tenanct can be liable

@ John Daly good thought but there must be provision for this otherwise why wasn't the invoice sent to the Police as part of a standard system.

'Cos they are not liable, that's why!!

John Daley

14:58 PM, 30th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Roberta Goodall" at "29/05/2014 - 16:10":

Hi Roberta,

I'm sorry but the company who want the money will say anything to get you to pay.

Take no notice, do not respond to them and you will never ever be taken to court for the money.

It's a scam pure and simple.

If the tenant pays fine, but get the tenant to pay the company direct don't get in the middle of this or you might end up accepting liability voluntarily.

Sam Collett

15:29 PM, 30th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi, this sounds similar to an incident I had - have shared details on this blog post - that's what happened to me if it helps?

http://www.whatsamsawtoday.com/2013/01/16/should-i-pay-or-should-i-go-to-court/

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

15:53 PM, 30th May 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Sam Collett" at "30/05/2014 - 15:29":

Hi Sam

I remember commenting on that blog (@iAmAlandlord).

I love your style, and want a ride in that Lamborghini Aventador one day too!

So ... spill the beans .... what was the outcome?
.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now