Question:
I have a question in Choshen Mishpat regarding how much we should be paying to the mitepelet who runs our daughter’s play group.
We paid for March in full. The mitepelet closed halfway through March due to the virus (she re-opened afterwards on one day and then re-closed). We do not have any contract, but we do want to send our daughter back to her if she reopens. She had a break scheduled for the two weeks around Pesach (the last day would have been April 2 and would have re-opened on April 19). From the Misrad HaBriut, the relaxed restrictions published on April 19 allow for it to reopen as “up to 3 families may join up with a fixed caregiver in keeping rules.” She has yet to reopen. (I may be incorrect on the legality of her re-opening, but this is what is in the English published restrictions.) We are unaware if she was able to receive any unemployment benefits since she closed.
We are still yet to pay anything for April. I would have been under the impression that we are patur from paying for April and possibly would be entitled to a refund on part of March. The mitepelet asked a Rov who said she keeps all payment for March and can request payment for 75% of April. However, she is willing to accept what we give her based on what we are told. The amount that she was told seems like a lot to me. A friend told me he was recommended to pay 1/4 to 1/3.
Can the Rov please recommend how much we should be paying for April, and would this include any discount for the end of March? Can we use maser money for any of the payment? What about payment for May? There is a possibility that she has permanently closed for the time being.
Thanks to the Rov for the time in this.
A gezuntn zumer.
Answer:
Thank you for your question. Your situation is not unique, many people have the same problem. Here is a link to what Rav Fleishman holsa regarding your question. https://dinonline.org/2020/03/27/vayikro-paying-for-a-playgroup-that-i-no-longer-need-due-to-the-health-situation/
Best wishes
