Can a web developer delete files from clinet server if he don't pay?

[Rakesh Yadav]

I work as a website designer and in my work span i sometimes face problem with non payments of my bills. I want to know what i can do legally if client don't pay. One time i removed website files from the server and later found that it's illegal to do that. Is that so? Some people say its completely fine to do that. I don't want to engage in any illegal activities so please suggest what you think i should do?

 

[Phillip John]

Hi Rakesh,

To keep you on the right side of the law you can add this into your terms, contracts or agreements that if a client does not pay you can suspend their website/block there hosting and emails from them receiving them if this is hosted by yourself....

If you have designed a website and say uploaded the files to there server without them paying any money as of yet and you sign in and delete the files you have technically committed a crime I would think so.

If you host websites on behalf of your clients place this in your agreement or contracts.... If you will be uploading your website to there hosting (3rd party) do not do this until full payment is made directly to you.

Hope this was of some help.

 

[Rakesh Yadav]

Thanks Phillip for quick help!

 

[Phillip John]

No problem Rakesh, Happy to help.

 

[Simon Dunant]

Hey Rakesh, you might want to build a QA site on your own server first, then after any final payment move the site to the client's server (if you're not hosting the site).

That way you'll always remain in control of the files before payment, and the client can be given access to their QA site on your servers.

If the client never pays you are free to use your own server however you wish and delete the files, although it would probably be prudent to keep an offline backup just in case they come back to you later and change their mind.

You might also want to consider as the previous poster said ensuring you have robust terms and conditions, ISP's will delete your website files if you don't pay their hosting costs, although they will notify you first and it's clearly in their T+C's that they'll do that.

Make sure you're contracts are solid...

Good luck!