Expiry time for unclaimed bills?

seamus

Quick query.

Is there anything in law that says that if a vendor doesn't claim a payment for a bill within a certain period of time, then they lose out? I very much doubt it, but it's just occured to me;

The scenario:
I stayed in a hotel on New Year's Eve. Checked out on New Year's Day, settled up via credit card and authorised the payment of the bill. But it has yet to be taken out of my credit card account. It's not even reserved on my card, as I have seen other companies do.

Does this mean that at any point, the hotel can choose to suddenly claim this money? What if I cancel my card?
I know that in the case of cheques, they become invalid after six months. But even if a cheque becomes invalid, does the vendor have the right to return to the buyer and ask for payment again?

Clearly not looking for legal advice here. If the hotel came back in 3 years time looking for their money, I'd pay it. Just curious to know if there's any onus on vendors to claim their payments in a timely manner, in the same way that the buyer must make the payment in a timely manner.

Our man in Havana

Seamus,
This has happened to me with petrol stations in the past. I bought petrol from a place in August and nothing ever appeared on the bill, until the following Febuary the charges suddenly appeared. I queried this and apparently there is no time limit on posting the transaction.
Even if you close the account they can still post the charge which will result in the account being reopened (and liable to €40 stamp duty) and you then getting a bill. You can't escape.

Jo King

There is a six year limit on actions for debt. A vendor can only be held to be time-barred after this period. If the debt is acknowledged the time runs again.