Legal Question in Consumer Law in Michigan

AC repair guy charging too much

The guy was at my apartment for 45 minutes, used no materials (except for some compressed CO2) and tried to charge us $231. Outraegously expensive considering that he did almost nothing. My landlord refused to pay him and he said that their company was going to put a lien on the apartment. What recourse do we have to dispute the amount that was charged? We were never given an estimate or anything like that. The guy just started working.

1) Can he even put a lien on the apartment?

2) How can we dispute the amount of the bill?

Thanks a lot!


Asked on 7/10/07, 6:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Renee Walsh LawRefs Nonprofit

Re: AC repair guy charging too much

One might consider finding out if the repair man is licensed at www.michigan.gov/licensing. Furthermore, the argument is that since there was no agreement as to price, a reasonable price according to the custom in the industry is appropriate. Someone should find out what other contractors make for 45 minutes and compressed CO2 and offer to pay that amount, in writing.

Does your lease provide that you are responsible for such payment in the first place? If not, then it is the landlord's problem and he should be the one billed.

Furthermore, any lien would not attach to the apartment but rather to the building itself and thus it would not affect you.

(Please do not rely on this communication which does not create an attorney-client relationship and which is intended merely as a discussion of legal principles and is not to be relied upon.)

If you have further questions or concerns, or desire more specific information, please contact me at www.lawrefs.com.

Read more
Answered on 7/16/07, 12:47 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Consumer Law questions and answers in Michigan