Reading the posts on here, it seems that quite a few of the problems which come up could have been solved by having a contract between teacher and client.

So let's see - votes please

I don't have a contract that parents or adult learners sign, but my T&Cs are printed at the bottom of my invoice that are given out monthly. They are also on my website. I go through them when someone starts and make it obvious that people don't mess me about regarding non-attendence and payment! Best to be tough at the start, then it's possible to relax them in the right circumstances.

I have adapted the MU example contract and use this. I'm not sure what would happen if I had to enforce it!

David

Like johnS, I put my requirements on the inoice, and so far have had very few problems. But most of my pupils have come to me through word of mouth, and I wouldn't envisage a problem there. The odd problem I've had has come from those who have been complete strangers - answered an advert - and I'm not sure if a contract would have made any difference. If somebody owes you a relatively small amount of money, I think they know it's not worth your while persuing it.

Interesting so far... Keep the votes coming!

I agree wholeheartedly! There are lots of reasons why one is necessary, not just for lesson fees but to also cover all the range of little annoyances we have to sometimes face, such as students arriving overly late/early regularly, forgetting music, sickness/holiday cancellations, and lots more.

When I first started out, I didn't bother but it wasn't long before I started banging away on the computer preparing my terms and conditions .

I remember in the early days...( with a smile ) the parent that phoned me twice in 6 weeks to tell me that their little darling was going to a sleepover instead of her lesson and could she please have her lesson money back for those 2 she missed! Aww how could I NOT refund the lesson money after 15 minutes notice! hee hee

I think a contract is very important, especially if it's your main source of income.

-- caj37