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PRO

Charging interest for late payment

I know this has been discussed before but I can't seem to find the thread.I am looking at charging daily interest for late payers and wanted to add a statement advising so to my quotes. What would you consider to be a reasonable percentage? 1%, 2%, 5%?It clearly states on all my quotes that payment is due within 7 days of receipt of invoice but a very few need reminding/chasing every month. Some are good customers but a bit half soaked and I might not necessarily enforce it with them, but at least I would have the choice.What have you done that has proved to be successful?Cheers, Darren

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  • PRO
    My Terms state that clients have 14 days from receipt of invoice to pay, unless otherwise stated. Followed by 'I reserve the right to charge 10% interest of the total bill for every week that payment is delayed'

    Like you I have some consistent late payers and I envisage never having to charge anyone interest, but it is there if ever it should be needed
  • PRO

    Whatever you state it needs to 'fair' to cover your increased costs but must not be punitive, otherwise it will be classed as an unfair term and may invalidate your T&Cs for domestic clients.

    For commercial debrs, there is a Govenment Statue  that you would be well advised to follow....

    • PRO

      p.s. for domestics I believe there are rules/guidance within the new Consumer Rights Act 2015 that came into force on the 1st October 2015 (but can't remember them... ! )

    • PRO

      Cheers Gary.  Hmmm... £11.50 interest on a £1000 debt after 50 days.  Hardly going to scare them into running round with money immediately is it :-)  Or have I read it wrong?

  • Forget it, unless you want/need to shed a few customers. What have I done that has "proved to be successful?"  Set up monthly accounts with all suppliers and build up a cash surplus in the current account that can even out the peaks and troughs of cash flow. As long as they all pay in the end (and within a reasonable time of course) just get on with what you do best. 

  • PRO
    Commercial debts can be charged at 8% plus Bank of England base rate.

    This is per the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

    For domestic clients the charge has to be fair and reasonable, the law is heavily weighted in favour of the consumer.
    • PRO

      That's the Government Statue Act linked to above.

  • PRO
    I understand commercial contracts taking their time when it comes to payment, however when it comes to private clients I cannot see any reason why payment cannot be paid within a reasonable time period, 7 days is plenty, my clients pay within 24-48 hours, no excuses, no crying, no complaining, this is made clear from day one, this has nothing to do with cash flow, it's simply the way I run my company, works for me, I truly believe clients are given far to much flexibility when it comes to payment...
    • PRO

      Especially when they're in when you're their working! No reason to not have done a bank transfer as soon as you finish which can be confirmed with banking apps on your smart phone.

    • right on the money mate unless they dont have online banking but even my gran does telephone payments to tradesmen shes 79 

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