Hi, just wanted to see what you all thought about my dilemma. I minded a little girl from September 2010 until July this year, then after the summer holidays I've been having her & her 2 brothers before & after school. I issue my invoices at the beginning of the month, they're always handed out by the 4th, and they're given 7 days to pay. The latest bill for this family is still unpaid! This is the 4th occasion since April, and they're only here in term time! It's also become very disruptive with the boys, they're always fighting, I've had furniture broken (not necessarily just by them, but since they've been here) and tea times are chaos.
This month I'm now overdrawn. I had a conversation with dad where he said he would remind her. Other times I've sent a text, but this time I don't see why I should keep chasing it. It annoys me so much that people think I have enough money to feed my kids without being paid, and they still turn up with their children, who get a cooked meal here too. I'm at the point now where I don't want the stress, despite the drop in income if I give notice. My payment terms say within 7 days or pay £5 a day for late payments - I have charged someone this before, and she paid it. But I know it's not necessarily enforcible, despite being in my contracts and policies.
So.... they're due here again Thursday, I want to issue a new invoice with the £5 a day added, and serve notice. The contracts say I can terminate immediately for recurring non-payment, but I thought it'd only be fair to keep them until the Christmas holidays so she can make alternative arrangements. What do you think? I feel awful doing it, they live behind me and I know them quite well, but the stress of checking my bank every day, and watching my furniture get jumped on, etc, it's just not worth the hassle. In the notice, would it be better to use the reason of recurring non-payment, and quote from the contract? I hate this... had to do it this time last year too, for a child who was thieving and her mother was another non-payer! I do pick 'em!!
Thanks for any advice or comments.....xx
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