Late payment legislation (Consumer)

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I have searched the internet for information on late payment regulations between a business and consumer but can only find business to business legislation.

I hired a plumber to quote for a job, they have issued me an invoice for work not carried out which I have queried and explained why.

They have ignored this and hit me with a £80 plus vat late payment fee as payment has not been made within 7 days of the invoice being issued and told that another £80 + vat late payment would be added in another 7 days.

I was abroad at the time and have only just returned home so the additional late payment fee is due tomorrow.
I had been trying to sort this out with the company remotely but have had limited signal for internet and no way of making payment anyway. Both of which I informed them of, but it has been ignored.

I know companies arent allowed to charge vat on late payment fees and that they aren't allowed to add late payment fees onto invoices that are under query, but even if it was applicable, I am sure an £80 plus vat late payment fee would be too much for a £200 invoice.

I can't find anywhere that confirms that for me other than on business to business though...

You are right that the late payment specific legislation applies to commercial debt. So therefore any late payment from a consumer I assume comes down to what their written terms and conditions say. Have a look in them and see if they set out what will be charged if you are late in paying.

If they did not carry out work they should not be invoicing you at all. Make sure you put in writing exactly what has happened - we called you in to fit the tap. You did not fit the tap therefore we aren't paying or whatever it is.

Even if their contract terms say they can charge £80 (which frankly will hardly cover their time in trying to recover the sum they think is due) if they did not do the work then they are not due to be paid for it at all never mind interest.