Client isn't paying - do I take the site down?

[monkeyBoy32]

Hi - a client isn't paying for work I provided (I built them a website). Should I take the website offline until they pay?

If I tell them that I'm going to do that, they will contact the host and change passwords etc. so - should I just take their site offline?

[SueEllen]

Do you have it in your contract with them that if they are x days in arrears that the site will be taken down?

I would probably change the passwords and send them a recorded delivery letter that the site will be taken down if they don't pay for it in full within 28 days.

After 28 days of non-payment take the site down.

If they pay you then change the passwords back and have no more to do with it.

[Paddy]

Hi - a client isn't paying for work I provided (I built them a website). Should I take the website offline until they pay?

If I tell them that I'm going to do that, they will contact the host and change passwords etc. so - should I just take their site offline?

If it's their server or they are paying for the hosting, the answer is no. You may be commiting a criminal offence if you do so. Send them a seven day warning notice that they must pay up or face a court summons.

[BolshieBastard]

Take the site down and when they contact you to say 'oh, our site doesnt seem to be available \ working,' say 'oh, that's because you havent ******* paid me for the work I have done on it' ( use your discretion about using the word '*******' though).

[centurian]

If it's their server or they are paying for the hosting, the answer is no. You may be commiting a criminal offence if you do so. Send them a seven day warning notice that they must pay up or face a court summons.

Yes, the key part is whose "property" is it.

If Comet deliver me a new TV, but the cheque bounces, they don't have the right to break into my house and take it away. They would have to sue me for the money (and would almost certainly win), but they would commit a crime if they just took it.

The main exception is hire purchase agreements which do come under a different set of rules. Even so, I don't think they can force entry to reclaim the item though, which might be argued is what you are doing if you log on to their hosted web site without their permission.

Ownership of a software installation is a bit more fuzzy and it will come down to a number of factors.

[Advocate]

If it's their server or they are paying for the hosting, the answer is no. You will be committing a criminal offence if you do so. Send them a seven day warning notice that they must pay up or face a court summons.

There fixed it for you...

[monkeyBoy32]

Hmm - but what if I knew that changing 1 DB value would take the whole site down and, when they call me to fix it (I was the only developer on the project) I say "Well - I'll have a look for you, but you need to pay me first".

I wont be removing files and it would be very difficult to locate where the error came from.

[jmo21]

Hmm - but what if I knew that changing 1 DB value would take the whole site down and, when they call me to fix it (I was the only developer on the project) I say "Well - I'll have a look for you, but you need to pay me first".

I wont be removing files and it would be very difficult to locate where the error came from.

why are you asking us? You know the answer to this is the same as what people have already told you above.

[VectraMan]

If Comet deliver me a new TV, but the cheque bounces, they don't have the right to break into my house and take it away.

That's breaking and entering. It might be a bit different if you gave Comet permission to access to your home and their TV.

[HairyArsedBloke]

Just call the solicitors and get them to chase or go to the small claims wotnot.

What you are describing could possibly get you a criminal conviction.