Platform Payment Terms

1. Payment Processing

All payments made through the UK Gas Plumbers platform are processed securely by Stripe, our third-party payment provider. UK Gas Plumbers does not store credit or debit card details. All card data is handled in accordance with PCI DSS standards by Stripe.

2. Service Fees & Commission

UK Gas Plumbers charges a commission on each transaction processed through the platform. The applicable rate is disclosed to subcontractors during registration and may be updated from time to time with reasonable notice. Commission is deducted automatically before funds are released to the subcontractor.

3. Deposits

Customers may be required to pay a deposit when accepting a quote. Deposit amounts and percentages are agreed between the customer and subcontractor through the platform's quoting system. Deposits are held by the platform and released according to the agreed payment schedule.

4. Escrow & Fund Holding

Payments may be held temporarily by the platform until the scheduled service has been completed or confirmed. UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to delay or withhold payment to subcontractors where:

• A dispute has been raised by the customer.
• A complaint regarding workmanship or conduct is under investigation.
• Fraudulent activity is suspected.

5. Subcontractor Payouts

Payouts to subcontractors are processed via Stripe Connect. Subcontractors must complete Stripe onboarding (including identity verification) to receive payouts. Payout schedules may be daily, weekly, or as configured in the subcontractor's settings. UK Gas Plumbers is not responsible for payout delays caused by Stripe, the subcontractor's bank, or incomplete Stripe onboarding.

6. VAT

VAT is applied where applicable in accordance with UK tax law. Subcontractors are responsible for their own VAT registration and reporting. VAT-registered subcontractors must provide their VAT number to the platform.

7. Chargeback Policy

Where a customer initiates a chargeback, payment dispute, or reversal through their payment provider in relation to services booked through the UK Gas Plumbers platform, UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to recover the full disputed amount from the subcontractor where the subcontractor has already received payment.

Subcontractors agree to cooperate fully with any investigation relating to payment disputes or chargebacks, including providing evidence of work completed.

Repeated or fraudulent chargebacks may result in immediate account suspension or permanent removal from the platform.

Debt Recovery & Collection

Where any amount remains outstanding following a chargeback, failed payment, unpaid invoice, or breach of payment obligations, and the debtor fails to settle the outstanding balance within 14 days of a written demand, UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to:

• Refer the outstanding debt to a third-party debt collection agency.
• Instruct solicitors to commence legal proceedings for recovery of the debt.
• Report the outstanding debt to credit reference agencies, which may affect the debtor's credit rating.

Where a debt is referred to a collection agency or legal proceedings are commenced, the debtor shall be liable for all additional costs incurred, including but not limited to:

• Debt collection agency fees and commissions.
• Legal costs, court fees, and solicitor charges.
• Statutory interest on the outstanding amount at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, calculated from the date the payment became overdue.
• Any reasonable administrative costs incurred by UK Gas Plumbers in pursuing the debt.

UK Gas Plumbers may suspend or terminate any user account where an outstanding debt remains unpaid, and may withhold future payouts to subcontractors to offset any amounts owed to the platform.

This clause applies equally to customers and subcontractors.

8. Refunds

Refunds are processed in accordance with our Cancellation Policy and Dispute Handling Policy. Refunds are returned to the original payment method and may take 5–10 business days to appear.

9. Credit Accounts

Eligible business customers may apply for a credit account subject to approval. Credit terms, limits, and payment periods are set out in the individual credit agreement. Late payments may incur interest charges and may result in suspension of the credit facility.

10. Purchase Orders

Business customers with approved credit accounts may submit purchase orders through the platform. Purchase orders are subject to approval and the terms of the credit agreement.