Agent will not supply tradesmens invoices requested by insurance company

Hi David,

The above makes no sense as the contractor must issue an invoice for tax purposes.

This makes me wonder if the agent belongs to a redress scheme, have client money protection or PI.

sounds like the agent is adding his cut to make a secret profit, just like the foxtons onging case. i suspect this is widespread.

yep, as just mentioned, typical practise of an agent who is 'bumping up' tradesman invoices....

Sounds like the agent is adding margin to the costs. If you know the tradesmen, contact them directly and see if you can go that route.

Hi David,
As others have already commented there are probably reasons. I think it would be beneficial to look from the various parties perspectives.

The insurance company presumably has a contract with you and not the agent so I presume that you will be able to check their 'small print'. The insurance company's position presumably is whilst it is a legitimate claim they want the actual invoice to ensure that no 'fraud' is taking place. Moreover if there is an agent 'mark up' why should they pay that? Does your policy say that in addition to the invoice they will pay handling charges? I suspect not. Now I am not suggesting anything. Just as airport security checks have 'random inspections', so do insurance companies.

From an agents perspective why should they not provide the whole details? Do they have something to hide? Did they use a small time trader not registered for VAT? Did they then process this bill, adding on their mark up and VAT? What does their contract with you state? Do they use their own staff?

I would suggest that you tell the agent that you hold them responsible for not co-operating with the legitimate investigative inquiries of your insurance company against fraud, thereby voiding your legitimate insurance claim. If they do do not cooperate you will hold them responsible for the entire claim and if they do not pay up you will take them to the small claims court.

A lot of hassle? Yes. But you will get a result.

Oh and then change your agent at the earliest opportunity.

Agent. If the agent is truly acting in that capacity there is no need (or ability) for them to add VAT for the "service" of passing it through their accounts, as the name suggests they are acting as your agent and are paid through their rental percentage etc. However, their lettings contract might say that you contract with them, and not the underlying contractor (which would definitely be the case for workmen employed by them), for the supply of maintenance work. In that case VAT must be added by a VAT registered businesss even if the contractor was not themselves VAT registered. Unless you can qualify as partially exempt you can't claim it back either. Personally, I insist on receiving all invoices and have demanded both breakdowns and ammendments as a result.

Who would be responsible (in strict legal terms) for making good any poor quality workmanship. And who would ultimately be out of pocket if you didn't pay.
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If the answer to both of those is "The agent" then you should have a bill and a VAT number from the agent. If the answer is "The contractor" then the agent might give you a "statement" showing charges deducted from rental income, but if you require a proper VAT invoice it must come from the contractor.

When in my capacity as an agent, I charge more than what the contractor charges me.

This is something that requires a sensible discussion. Over 30 years I have negotiated the price of all but the rarest of jobs to the lowest possible amount, much of this negotiation took place in the earlier years as I was in a period of rapid growth (whilst purchasing my own first 100 houses and before I took on other properties to manage) and so should have margin to add my fee for the organisation of that repair.

I am more than happy to pick up the Yellow Pages and have the first plumber/electrician take on a job at full rate should the landlord wish but they will moan about the cost of the job.

Nowhere in my agreement with my landlords do I agree to achieve them the lowest possible price, but it is apparently expected...and for free!

As an example, I pay £20 for a GSC (due to volume and negotiation). I charge this out at £35...still about 50% saving on the standard 'Yellow Pages' cost. My time and hard work have managed to get such deals.

Landlords are expecting more and more for their 10%. I am in the process of re-writing my terms and all extras will have to be paid for -right to rent checks, smoke alarm testing, legionella reports. We're also expected to monitor the giving out of How to Rent in England guides now. Someone's got to pay as the job is no longer that of a convenient 'money-collecting middle man'.

Reply to the comment left by "Luke P" at "12/10/2015 - 12:49":

I agree Luke and could probably come up with numerous examples, from all aspects of life, that would put what you are saying, into perspective. On a general point, looking at posts on many subjects, i get the impression that there is a gigantic difference in the effort required and rewards received in this industry, when comparing London and the south east, with the rest of the country, particularly the north, where i feel costs and charges are far easier to defend.

Maybe the tradesman is not registered for vat, if the agent is vatable ask them to allocate the bill to vat and non vat parts. If they dont provide a reply sack them. I had a similar scenario with a claim for kitchen damage the bottom line was the insurer did everything possible to avoid paying out complete idiots but after much perseverance i managed to provide every single invoice some with vat and some without.