Can a UK repairer keep or sell my equipment?
A repairer may have a right to retain equipment pending payment, but ask for the basis of that claim and any proposed sale. Do not ignore collection or disposal notices while disputing the invoice. Get UK legal advice before the stated deadline. Discuss the China purchase records with Cambridge China Bridge.
Ask what supports the claimed right to retain
A lien is a right to retain another person's property pending discharge of a debt. Ask the repairer to explain the claimed lien, identify the debt it secures and supply the repair terms it relies on. Give your adviser the quotation, booking record, work authorisations, invoice and evidence of payment.
Record the equipment's serial number, accessories, owner and current location. Ask separately for the basis of any proposed sale, scrapping or other disposal. Use our repair complaint guide for the workmanship complaint; keep the request for release explicit.
Check storage charges against the actual terms
Request the terms supplied when you booked the repair, together with evidence of when and how you accepted them. Identify any storage clause, charging start date, rate, calculation method and collection conditions. Ask the repairer to separate repair, diagnostic, storage and transport charges rather than presenting an unexplained balance.
If storage charges appeared only after the dispute began, save the earlier documents and ask for the contractual basis. Request a written pause on further charges while release is discussed. Do not budget on the assumption that your request has been accepted; obtain a clear reply.
Read collection and sale notices separately
The statutory discussion here concerns repair arrangements in England and Wales. Ask for local advice for equipment held in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Under the statutory sale route, notice must allow a reasonable opportunity to take delivery. Where a sum payable in respect of the goods became due before notice, the minimum period is three months. These provisions operate subject to the terms of the bailment.
Keep every notice and its envelope. Check the equipment description, holding address, amount claimed, collection arrangements and proposed sale date. The statutory notice of intention to sell must be written and sent by registered post or recorded delivery. Ask your adviser to check service and timing; do not assume that a collection reminder settles whether a sale is authorised.
Make the goods-related dispute clear in writing
Under the statutory notice route, the holder must not issue a sale notice or sell pursuant to it while aware that, because of a dispute concerning the goods, you question or refuse payment of all or part of its claim. Explain the actual dispute, such as unauthorised work or an unresolved repair fault, and attach supporting records. Ask for acknowledgement.
Do not treat this provision as a guarantee of release or protection against every disposal route. The Act preserves a court-authorised sale route despite that dispute restriction. Ask the repairer whether it relies on statutory notice, contractual terms or a court order, and send the answer to your solicitor.
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Get advice before the disposal deadline
Send a solicitor experienced in commercial disputes the complete file and put the disposal deadline prominently in your message. Ask whether urgent steps are needed to protect the equipment, and whether negotiated release, security or payment under protest is appropriate. Ask how any proposed payment or settlement would affect the remaining invoice dispute.
Request written confirmation that sale, scrapping and transfer will pause while advice is obtained. If agreement is missing, continue treating the stated deadline as urgent. Prepare safe collection arrangements and a condition record. For missing or damaged equipment, use our repairer loss guide; keep any separate seller complaint in the UK seller dispute process.
Frequently asked questions
Can a repairer keep equipment over a disputed bill?
A lien may support retention pending payment. Ask for its basis and the terms relied on. Get advice on your actual repair agreement rather than assuming that disputing the bill secures release.
Can a repairer add storage charges during a dispute?
Ask for the storage clause, evidence of acceptance, charging start date and itemised calculation. Challenge unexplained additions in writing and request a pause on further charges.
Does disputing the invoice stop the repairer selling?
A goods-related payment dispute notified to the holder restricts the statutory notice sale route. Do not assume every route is blocked: ask a solicitor to check the contract and any court application.
What should I do with a disposal notice?
Save the notice and envelope, explain your dispute in writing and request a disposal pause. Send the complete file to a solicitor before the deadline and ask about urgent protection and release options.