Question on a bad debtor

 



Question on a bad debtor

I wondered if you or any members know if there is a way of retrieving an issued EPC for a client who just won’t pay.

I just thought if this were possible it would make the HIP incomplete and therefore void.

It’s only for one job which I did in record time and too cheap but it’s the principal it’s not worth taking the legal route and of course people like this particular individual possibly take advantage of that fact and always move around.

May be we could consider having a place on the DEAlocal website advising who to avoid saving other DEAs the adding problem.

In desperate times of being screwed the transaction was by telephone and email but repeated attempts now via telephone and email are ignored.

He operates in an area 35mile radius of Manchester.

 Carl McGrath is a DEA in offering HIPs and EPCs in Blackpool and Lancashire


Comments

Thanks manuel

On July 28th, 2008 Carl McGrath says:

His cheque arrived this morning.

I did as you suggested and said i would be contacting the estate agent but i also suggested there was a national DEA register which i would use to name and shame and I think that worked.

Carl I’m sorry to hear

On July 22nd, 2008 manuel says:
Now there is an online service where you can star legal procedures to claim things like this.

You have to pay 30 (I think) in advance but you get it back if you win the case.

I think is worth while because you’ve got it won as you can prove you’ve done the job (the EPC  holds your details) and also not to let the culprit get away with it.

Check it out at https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco/index.jsp

However before going that way I would email him again letting him know what you are up to and assuring him that if he forces you to take that way you will claim the full price without discounts (e.g. £95) that may make him think it twice.

If you still don t want to go that way I can only think of trying to find out which state agent is he working with and get in touch with them.

Explain the case if they don t want to help, tell them that if they use your EPC you include them within the legal claim, that may push a bit.

To make sure they don t think you are bluffing tell them about the online service so they realize that it s only £30 and you are ready to go for it.

You may find which state agent he is using by doing a search of the property address online. If the property is in any website it’s likely that you’ll find it.

A apart from that I don t know what else you could do.

To avoid this happening again, never provide the EPC before getting paid if you can. I always do it this way. Obviously you must tell them this when you quote, that way the cheeky ones that are looking to take the piss won’t bother to order from you.


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