AIBU- lost cheque from 6 years ago

[gabsdot]

I used to run a preschool and 6 years ago I refunded some fees to a parent. Their child started, they paid the full month's fees and then the child wouldn't settle and they withdrew him after two days. I sent them a cheque to refund the months fees minus 2 days.
I just had a phone call from the dad saying that he lost the cheque and apparently has just found it and can I reissue it.

I basically told him no. I closed my school 2 years ago, all my records are in the attic and my business bank account is closed.
AIBU.

I also understood that a cheque was only valid for 6 months. My Dh is always banging on about it if i forget to pay cheques in.

I thought that cheques were valid for a year.

YANBU

Cheeky chancer.

Well a bank will honour a cheque for 6 months (as practice, to protect everyone involved from fraud I suspect), but the debt that the cheque is associated with is valid for 6 years. That's how I read it anyway. It would be great to hear if the fella was cashing a cheque for 5 years + X Months of 6 years and a day.

Also, I think a PP stated they have to initiate proceedings before the 6 year cutoff anyway? That would make sense to me.

I recently discovered that I paid the AA twice for my membership in 2000. I wonder if I'd have any luck getting a refund?

(I paid with a cheque, but three weeks later they also took a direct debit.)

"TBH I'm surprised that I didn't notice it wasn't cashed. I was very careful with my accounts."
Maybe you didn't notice because it was cashed?

I asked my university to reissue a cheque that was 8 years old...which they did, minus admin fees.

Was yours a limited business. If it was and it's been wound up, he can't claim the money from you.

I closed my business in June 2014 and I was a sole trader.
As I mentioned in the OP he has found the original cheque and he said he brought it to the bank but they refused to cash it.
I'm wondering now if at the time he realised he had lost the cheque and had me issue a new one. I can't really remember the child so that may have happened. I'd have to go up into the attic and search through my records. My old school laptop is up there too.
I'm almost tempted to investigate further.
I'm glad you all agree that IANBU.

No!!! A cheque is only valid for 6 months. He lost by not cashing it.

You did your bit & gave them the cheque. That discharged your obligation. He has failed to cash it, and only renemvered six years later!!!!

Even if he sued you I would expect you to win.

You are Not being unreasonable.

He didn't cash the cheque 6 years ago and now wants a new one, cheeky sod!

My baby doesn't go to nursery yet but do people only give them 2 days to settle?

Are you sure he didn't cash it then and is now trying it on? That was my first thought when you said you were surprised you didn't notice.

Theoretician
I recently discovered that I paid the AA twice for my membership in 2000. I wonder if I'd have any luck getting a refund?

No legal obligation but worth contacting them. Might be tricky accessing old accounts (if they still have them) but nothing to lose by asking. They might consider it for goodwill/company reputation reasons.

Op just cancel the cheque

SIX YEARS?

He is having a fucking giraffe.

No way should you reissue the cheque. Are you sure you didn't reissue it at the time?

I've just been asked to replace a cheque that was written in 2009 that was never cashed. I received a cheery wee note saying "I've just found this cheque, can I send it back to you with my bank details and you can pay me by bank transfer instead".

I often manage to cash cheques that are a year past their date - I get payments coming through in January with the wrong year on them and they very rarely get rejected.

Legally he has 6 years to cash the cheque so if it's after that tell him to get lost, if it's before that legally you have to pay but I'd ask to see the date on the cheque to make sure it's in date

Ask him to send the cheque back to you.

Of course YANBU. Cheeky fecker.

To the poster re the AA, definitely contact them. My friend had a similar thing with the National Trust and had been double paying for ages and she was refunded. Be persistent,the AA are cheeky buggers, too.

Re: the AA - I always dispute their renewal cost by checking what I'd pay if I was a new customer. The renewal price is invariably about a hundred quid more than the new customer price.

YANBU ... and were decent enough to even give a refund at the time!

This is why cheques are bullshit. Thank goodness for bacs payments.

I wouldn't bother investigating the actual records you have in your attic

what I would do is check your legal position and if it seems like you are supposed to pay him, then that's different

maybe post on the legal board and ask them. I don't think you are being unreasonable at all but ultimately the law is the thing here.

Re the AA, definitely ring them. We ended up paying twice for European breakdown cover, for two years in fact, and they repaid us no problem. Clearly they have form!