How long until you start legal action?

[Lincoln75]

If you want it back just go via small claims court. Dead easy to do. Solicitors letter is a waste of money, debt collectors have no authority. Just be prepared that you might get bugger all at the end of it.

Once you have a judgement you can employ an HCEO , they will collect and/or evict on the day

 

[ARW]

This lot can be useful for collecting debts , been around for years , Ive had success with them , first letter to debtor only £3.00!

https://www.thomashiggins.com/about-us.html

https://www.thomashiggins.com/assets/pdf/FULL C&F.pdf

This is who I use and I’ve used them every time we have had to do it, 100% success rate so far

 

[multi power]

A dangerous stupid game , had they gone to the Police you could have ended up doing time, fact.

Somehow I don't think so, thick he might be, stupid he is not

 

[Lincoln75]

Somehow I don't think so, thick he might be, stupid he is not

Breaking the law is stupid , this smart arse thought he was clever https://www.brent.gov.uk/council-news/press-releases/pr6327/

and this one http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/11781865.Illegal_eviction_landlord_is_jailed/

and another

https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/bre...ntence-for-illegal-eviction?source=newsticker

The courts taken illegal eviction and threatening behaviour very seriously .

To reiterate, threatening behaviour and illegal eviction will cost you a hell of a lot more than lost rent ....so those who do it are........stupid.

 

[matthew]

i've always liked the idea of 'selling a debt' to an agency....i hasten to add i've no experience or knowledge....but it just seems satisfying to get some cash....whilst knowing a whole load of hassle is heading the miscreants way

I find 'Don't pay, we'll take it away' fascinating. But as has been said, a debt has to be established by the Court first. And also send a statement, detailing your invoice and any interest added for non payment. You can't add that later. Costs too and dates of contact requesting payment..

don't bother with soliciter .just send him a letter that if it's not paid with in 7 days it will go to court then take action in 7 days

Agree. See above re interest.

People who have work done and don't pay are using you as a bank. And stealing your time and materials. If they've done this to you, they are doing it to others, except perhaps the utilities, to keep the lights on.
Theft is theft, however it's dressed up.

 

[Pitman]

Don’t care what anyone says, if your self employed part of the job is sourcing work and getting people to pay:- yes in an ideal world we’d all have people pay on point into the bank without asking but this isn’t an ideal world and you have to go and get it. Major food companies pay suppliers on 6 months, pepsico being one of them. Yes the margin is cut with every bit of effort but it’s either that or pay the bailiff so it’s gonna cost - and I guarantee it’s cheaper to go and see them at meal times and tell them, if you can’t do that be an employee and don’t have the hassle that comes with being boss, or just forget about being paid this time. I’ve waited 12 months and I know i’ll get it so I’m patient

 

[Lincoln75]

Owner farmers are generally a very safe bet , they dont just up sticks and off , however suppliers / contractors need to be sure they have their quotes ,orders and invoices in order and signed as required or their claim maybe thrown out .

 

[glasshouse]

These arnt farmers, just Range Rover driving land owner types. Cheques in the post, changed land agent, agent missed the payment, invoice needs re-wording, get my hedges cut aswell and have it all on one invoice, it will get paid by blah blah date.

These are the worst sort of c.unts.
They think we are there to serve them and bow and scrape, just like in the old days

 

[glasshouse]

Not in my eyes, the profit in the job you are chasing is declining the longer you wait for your cash, and every hour I’m off the job not earning it’s more out of the bottom line, running about is a waste of fuel and time, if it takes me an hour it’s cost me more than the £3 to start legal proceedings and let’s them know I’m sick of there crap

put a big block of concrete across their drive till they pay

 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

We had a problem similar to this, livestock sales. In the end we threatened to put it out to collection. If they run a business last thing they will want is that, as it will put them on the black list. May be an idea? Hope you get this sorted soon!

 

[Makserer]

All takes time though, I don't send statements, and usually I don't need to, only send them if things go over 3 months ish.

Maybe , it may take longer , for me, it takes four to six months

 

[Rory]

how long should you leave a customer before you start legal action?
I’ve got two invoices I have started legal action, no doubt I will loose the annual work over it but I’ve had enough of this shyte.
Both outstanding from June, thinking I may have to adopt this strategy more often, invoice, then reminder, final reminder, then solicitors letter?
How long do others wait?

Get someone other than you to deliver invoice by hand in an open envelope with no address on it. Post through neighbours letter box. The neighbor will open it and see invoice and accompaning letter with customers name and deliver it next door for you. Leave the rest for you to work out mate

 

[mo!]

Some people really have too much time on their hands! Concrete blocks! Who has the time? It won't work anyway, when they call the police it will be you in the cells not them.
The small claims court limit is 10k. 10 minutes to fill the online forms and job done.

 

[matthew]

Some people really have too much time on their hands! Concrete blocks! Who has the time? It won't work anyway, when they call the police it will be you in the cells not them.
The small claims court limit is 10k. 10 minutes to fill the online forms and job done.

That's just the beginning. It may be that the person owing has several CCJs and few assets. Been there, done that.
If the assets are there then the High Court enforcers seem to have a lot of power. (Loved the episode where they were going to clamp the Mayor's car as the CC owed funds and had ignored demands and court!)
If that is the case it's either a writ of garnishment or a Bankruptcy petition.

 

[Lincoln75]

These are the worst sort of c.unts.
They think we are there to serve them and bow and scrape, just like in the old days

That type from the old days as you put it don't really exist, its the nuevo riche , usually from the home counties who are some of biggest c***s you will ever meet , old money has always been straight and fair with me.

 

[glasshouse]

That type from the old days as you put it don't really exist, its the nuevo riche , usually from the home counties who are some of biggest c***s you will ever meet , old money has always been straight and fair with me.

Thats who i meant, they want to live like the victorians and treat you like chattels

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Small claims court...£80 odd quid....piece of p!ss...done it twice

 

[Lincoln75]

Thats who i meant, they want to live like the victorians and treat you like chattels

Never put yourself in a position where they can do that, then if they gob off at you you can tell them to F*** o** .....or worse .
I love it when some throbber asks"do you know who I am" it's like ared rag to a bull with me and they always leave quickly and red faced .

 

[GTB]

Yes materials supplied etc.

Why are you still doing this? Get the customers to buy the materials and charge them for labour only. I know you might be making a bit on the materials but some customers are using you as a free loan. If they can't pay for the materials then it's not your problem because they'll either owe the money to someone else or you'll have no fence to put up in the first place.

 

[Kevtherev]

As I’ve said before @ARW and @GTB is saying the same let customers get their own materials end of