Invoice Query

[Zimunya]

I've received an invoice from a company. I am going to pay it, but would appreciate some advice on when it is due. The invoice states a tax point date and an invoice date, but no invoice due date. I plan to pay at the end of the first week in Oct, when I get paid. The company state that because they have titled the invoice a "demand invoice" it is payable immediately. I think that a demand notice and an invoice are two separate things, and calling an invoice a "demand" invoice doesn't mean it has to be paid immediately. Who is correct here?

When did you receive it? 28/30 day payment terms are often in the terms and conditions.

It's 30 days...unless you had previously agreed something else

Thank you both. I thought it was 30 days too.

There is no requirement for an invoice to state a due date. Whilst 30 days from the date of the invoice is normal, the company's terms and conditions may set a shorter deadline.

On what basis?

I’d say it’s immediate unless it says otherwise.

It depends what you have agreed. I would go back to them politely and ask them to point you in the direction of the relevant clause of their T&Cs or contract that states invoices are payable on demand. If you didn't sign up to anything then I think it's reasonable to say you can't pay it immediately. Even if you did sign up to something, unless the relevant term was signposted to you and/or clearly set out in the document I also think you have a good argument to say an on demand invoice isn't reasonable

The payment terms will be determined by the contract or terms and conditions.
What did you agree ahead of the sale or service provided?

What does it say in the payment terms? B2B invoices are often 30 days as standard, but B2C would be payment on receipt of invoice, unless credit has been agreed.

https://www.gov.uk/invoicing-and-taking-payment-from-customers/payment-obligations

On this basis

If an invoice is for immediate payment or within a short time span it is normally stated on the invoice.

What was agreed when you hired them? If it’s a tradesperson payment is normally due on completion of work. Surely you discussed terms?

Surely it depends what it's for/what the agreed terms were? Like if you had some building work done at home/painting or decorating etc, it would be expected that payment is due immediately on completion.

Thanks, everyone. @Booksbooksbooksandmorebooks - very useful link - thank you so much.

For those asking about terms and conditions - fair point. This a payment to my landlord (a compnay) for something that is not covered in the lease agreement, so technically no formal terms.