Paying on Time1 Part 21
This week we continue discussion of different situations with regard to the
obligation of paying on time (bal tolin).
Bal tolin applies to rental of moveable items (on condition that it is
rented from a Jew, and the rent is not charged in advance). This includes
recreational equipment such as motorboats, Jew-skis, snowmobiles, golf clubs
and so on. One is obligated to pay for use of such equipment at the end of
the allotted time of use (unless one of the previously mentioned exemptions
apply).
If the worker normally gets paid after sending a bill for his fee, there is
no bal tolin. Therefore, accounting and legal fees are typically not
subject to bal tolin because accountants and lawyers do not expect payment
before sending a bill for their services. However, if the client agrees to
pay to the completion of a specific job, there is bal tolin.
As we mentioned in the past, if the third party hires the worker then there
is no bal tolin. Accordingly, if the employer’s secretary orders services
from a service provider, there is no bal tolin.
1. Much of the information for this essay is taken from "Halachos of Other
People's Money" by Rabbi Yisroel Pinchos Bodner.
