WWYD..??? handyman with nutty ex partner causing problems!!...

[whatthewhatthebleep]

So...I have this neighbour..don't know her very well (just as a neighbour)but had an idea she was a bit of a drama queen (big mouth and critisizm of others sort of way about her, a bit gossipy, etc)...anyway her ex is an experienced joiner and handyman and I asked if he might be interested in doing some work I needed help with to decorate my house, etc....made a list (the main things I wanted doing) and he agreed a price and started the work...great...all going well...nice chap and all that and I'm very happy with the work he's done....

anyway, he did some extra stuff needed and I had written a new list for these things to keep track and work out a price to add on, etc

I get a text from the neighbour (his ex) saying I'm taking the piss!!! and I'm 'making' him do extra work, etc and he wants his bloody money and won't be doing anymore of the work!!!!.....
I text back that I have no intention of ripping him off and have kept a note of things and of course will be paying more than the original price, etc....

This fell on deaf ears and she has threatened me and my property!!!!
I am single with my DS so became quite nervous about this
I spoke to the local police...they advised that I should meet and pay this guy in a public place and get him to sign a receipt to prove I have paid him and that it is settled and both parties are happy.....I'm thinking yes this is great advice, the police gave me an incident reference and to phone back if I have any problems....I felt better about things then

I sent him a text to explain I would have his money for him today...a receipt for him to sign for the payment and just let me know where and what time he wanted to meet me somewhere

He refuses to sign the receipt and told me to 'forget it and keep my money'...he can't sign anything because he is unemployed and should not be working and not declaring it.....well the police said do not pay him without getting a receipt as you can't then prove you have paid and it could cause more trouble for me with these people.....denying payment and whatever hassle.....

What to do???.....sitting thinking about this and have now had a note put through my door by 1 of them.....apparently she is sending her son round to my house tomorrow?? and I better have this money for him.....[OMG!!!]

It's kinda late and not urgent right now and I'm sure the Police have much better things to do with their time tonight so I'm not phoning them yet but think that I should....

Can't believe I have got into this situation, am scared they may take revenge on my property...sheds, car, etc over this...feel very threatened and concerned about what to do to resolve this....

Will I just give her son the money or do I stick to the Police advice and insist on getting the receipt signed before I give him the money????

What am I going to do???....This is madness and soooo unexpected...what kind of people are these and what have I done to deserve this mad behaviour....I can't seem to fix this and wonder about what may happen next....I have nobody to call that can help in RL except the Police....

Sorry this is lots to read....wanted to explain it though....

anyway....off to my bed...v.tired...too much going on for me atm....
I'll post an update tomorrow and see what advice people can help me with

Thanks people

In your situation I would phone the guy in the morning and tell him you want to pay him, and not to deal with his ex, her son or anyone else.

Tbh I would forget about the receipt. Just give him the money for the work he's done, and ask him to text her while you're there to say he's got his money.

I certainly wouldn't call the police and tell them he's working off the cards! You have to live next door to this nutty cow and I imagine that would make a bad situation worse!

Do you have a video camera or phone that records video? If so I would ring him and say you agree to amend your receipt as he asked and could he come round to collect the cash himself. Record the meeting and make.sure you say something along the lines of "I'm really sad that your XP thought I wouldn't pay you, I'm really happy with the X and Y you did and the Z in particular was lovely. I never intended to rip you off. Here's your money anyway, thanks for doing the work for me."

Then you still have proof that the money you gave him was in payment for work completed in your home should his ex kick up a fuss again.

It does sound like she was spoiling for a fight, you could be right about the jealousy thing. Bloody mentalist.

Is the guy okay with you paying the son instead of him? I wouldn't be paying anyone else until I had confirmation that was okay by the person that is due the money.

Could you word the receipt 'decorating, materials' and hope he doesn't notice the comma?

Let them know that you have taken advice from the police who have advised you to get a receipt.

That should give them enough warning to 'back off' with their threats and intimidation.

Do not hand over any money without a receipt

I would just pay him the money in cash. Have someone else there as a witness.

I guess this is why checks are handy, (not that I have written one in ages!) But you don't have any around, so that's no good.

I think I'd just pay him, he did the work, and yes, have a witness or 2. Try and communicate/pay only with him, she is making too much of a hassle over this.
If he himself has said his son will be by for the money, and you have some witnesses, I'd pay his son.

Yes, a witness is a good idea.

Personally I would just pay the guy, forget about a receipt and chalk it up to experience.

I would go for cash and witnesses. It's not like they're going to take you to court for non payment if he's done it cash in hand. Make sure your friend/witness is someone who will stick up for you though. Even better do it in the middle of the street with all the curtain twitchers listening and gush about how grateful you are for all the work he's done. Etc etc...

And only give to the guy himself. Be brave, text and say: I have the money for handyman, but will only give it to him in person, at such and such a time and place. I imagine they'll want their money more than revenge.

Will police pass on the info that he's working cash in hand? I don't know, but if that were the case I wouldn't mention it to them. Because by the sounds of it if he were to get in trouble you're the first person they would blame for grassing (horrible term I know) proof or no proof.

Horrid situation. Just wondering what the ex has to do with it though. Could it be you've ended up in the middle of their fight? Perhaps he owes her money/maintenance or she thinks he does and he's claiming he has none because you aren't paying him. Perhaps she's thinking she can get the money directly from you?

Confusing. Have you told the guy his ex is harassing him?

Knock on the exes door. Tell them to stop sending harassing messages, it's none of her business and you have notified the police.

A little late now but why did you use him in the first place.
I would like to know the person I am paying is paying tax and not commiting benefit fraud. He is not working so assuming he is on JSA

As for the situation just pay him cash in hand like you have originally agreed with him before the ex got involved

"Because by the sounds of it if he were to get in trouble you're the first person they would blame for grassing"

I agree this is a risk not worth taking when you've got to live next door to one of them! The nutty cow may well think that you involved the police to avoid paying. The guy will not thank you for getting him into trouble with the police, and there could be repercussions there. Not moral or just but it's the real world we're talking about.

I suppose this is the consequences of having limited funds and thinking an otherwise friendly neighbour and her ex...whom I've never had any trouble with personally before was a good idea to ask about doing a bit of DIY for me!!!...it made sense to think I had someone I knew coming into my house too....I couldn't predict all this nonsense....

This threatening note is telling me NOT to try contacting them and that if I don't give the ex his money, that her son will be round to me about it!!!!....

I've tried to phone him but getting no answer so have sent a text to say I want to pay him and won't detail anything and just need proof that he has been paid in full and the matter is finished with. I will only pay him as he did the work. To let me know where and when he wants to meet and sort this out.

It's the best I can do....if it continues...I will involve the Police...(didn't mention Police to him at all) so I'm hoping to get a reply and that he will meet me soon....

I would just pay what you owe with a witness there.

You know I bet lots of vulnerable people get caught in situations like this, hope you get this sorted and it calms down op.

ermmm how about just ignoring her?????

how are you bleep?

I agree that a receipt is a waste of time anyway. If they wanted to say that you hadn't paid (and I suspect this is not their motivation) and you produced the receipt they could just say you forged his signature. I echo pay the cash to him only and set your mobile phone to record sounds.

Could you take your policeman friend as a witness?

cool name stevie!

What a nightmare! Could you get anyone to be a witness to you handing the money over and saying verbally this is full and final payment for the work you did for me? I don't you think you should give the money to anyone other than the ex who did the work.

I'm just sitting here and wondering if and when the son appears at my door...and what might happen with these people next!!!.....

I'm alone right now and hoping my friend is going to pop round soon....
I'm worried but I'm angry too....it's all so ridiculous and uncalled for...there is no normal reasoning with these people....I've realised.....

Never had a response to my text yesterday so not sure what's going to happen next....
Might need to phone the Police again for advice/help....I just want to pay the guy and get it over with....It seems they would prefer more hassle though...what's wrong with these people???...

I would just pay him in cash with a witness there if they don't want to sign anything

Hope you're ok op