Client web hosting not getting paid

[jamessk]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone has had this experience before and interesting in hearing others experiences and situations, if similar?

I have a client that isn't paying their web hosting - there are 2 websites, I built both of them. My question is, do I own the websites or does my client? He paid for both but we signed no contracts or agreements.

I do not want to take legal action - can't afford it

Can he take any legal action against me if I take his websites down?

Really appreciate any help and advice!

Thank you!

J

 

[tony84]

If he has paid for them, he owns them?
Take copies of the websites and send them to him and then close his hosting account down.

 

[Mr D]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone has had this experience before and interesting in hearing others experiences and situations, if similar?

I have a client that isn't paying their web hosting - there are 2 websites, I built both of them. My question is, do I own the websites or does my client? He paid for both but we signed no contracts or agreements.

I do not want to take legal action - can't afford it

Can he take any legal action against me if I take his websites down?

Really appreciate any help and advice!

Thank you!

J

Is there any agreement / contract for the web hosting?

 

[Graham Tyers]

Just tell him what the hosting costs will be and ask him if he wants you to host them at that price. Ask for the long number off the front of his debit card...

If he doesn't pay or doesn't want you to host the sites just take them down and email him a link to download an archive.

 

[fisicx]

Did they provide the content (words and images)? If so then that's all they own.

The code, the design and everything else belongs to you. The domain name belongs to nominet, the client just pays to be able to use it. Hosting belongs to you and you have the right to refuse service if they haven't paid. Any themes of plugins you use belong to the developer. and scripts you used belong to the author. This is what most people don't realise. They don't own their website, they pay for your skills and expertise and have a license to use the components that make up the site but they own virtually nothing.

I was in the same boat as you. I wrote to them saying if they didn't pay their site would be deleted. They didn't reply. Two more reminders and then the site was removed.

 

[GURUCLOUD]

Are they still actually using the website? If they are not paying the hosting element then simply suspend the hosting service - if they pay re-activate it? I assume you are using some sort of bulk/reseller service rather than paying for the specific account?
Obviously this depends on what your terms, contracts or otherwise say but if you have an invoice saying £x for $hosting_service and they haven't paid and you've allowed time for them to address the payment - you should simply suspend for the time being.

 

[justinaldridge]

Surely if they haven't paid their hosting fees....you should just suspend their account? As soon as their site goes offline they'll want it back up ASAP.

If you don't pay your fees with any hosting provider, they just suspend the account and the sites become inaccessible. I know because it's happened to me when I've forgotten to renew my hosting!