Small Claim Issued To Me Today

[ManxMann]

I have been issued with a small claim of £1239 for "decorative and improvement works" carried out on a property myself and my ex-partner were trying to sell. I had moved out of the property and my partner continued to live in the property despite neither of us continuing to pay the mortgage. She herself then moved out of the property.

 

The works were carried out despite my continued instructions that the house should be sold as-is and under any circumstances and that I would not pay another penny into our "bad decision" that was going to probably be sold at a loss as it was.

 

The house did indeed sell at a loss with us both having a ring-fenced debt imposed on each party of £12,000.

 

My partner is now claiming that I pay her half of the monies spent on the property for these improvements.

 

It is also worth noting that prior to these works being carried out an offer was made on the property for £142,000, my ex-partner refused the offer directly and the party lost interest. I was fuming!

The house eventually sold for £122,000, resulting in a 24k inequity from our mortgage provider that we split.

 

My questions are:

 

1)]Does she have a valid claim on these works?

2)Is the claim valid if there is no receipts as evidence of the costs in question?

3)Her new partner "bought" and installed a boiler (he is the owner and she is the Director of his plumbing business), but I'm being charged what is seemingly trade-price rather than cost - is this legit? There's no way he would've charged her that sum in reality.

4)If I did contest this, do I have to pick up her Legal costs (not court costs but advocate fees)?

 

I am pretty easy going and reasonable and if there is validation that I am liable for these sums then I'll write a cheque and finally close this chapter of my life, however I feel slightly aggrieved that she repeatedly refused offers in excess of £130k, spent money on the house making improvements against my wishes and advice and further the "improvements" did nothing for the value of the house which sold at £122k.

 

Any advice or thoughts would be most welcome. Thanks.

[AndyOrch]

Hi Manx and welcome to CAG

 

I am moving your thread to General Legal Issues as its not connected to Banks/Credits cards/Finance.

 

Regards

 

Andy

[ManxMann]

Oh, Thanks. My apologies

[AndyOrch]

No problem you will get further advice shortly but feel free to browse either forum as defending involves the same principles.