What a cheek !

Stroof

Eighteen months ago I gave up pursuing a bad tenant - she bounced a large cheque on me as she was leaving. Based on demands through the letter box she had many bad debts and the company she worked for told me she was no longer there. I also deduced she had a young child nearby in foster care. So I decided to cut my losses.

On the other hand she did have a good job, treated herself to luxury holidays, and when the bailiffs inspected the flat they reported she had expensive tastes.

Now I have found out that she has been continuing to visit a friend in the same block, drives the same sports car, does still have the same good job, is still living expensively, and has lied about the ending of her tenancy.

I still have the bank report and image of the bounced cheque from April 2008.

What would you do ?

DVardysShadow

Small claims court. She thinks she has got away with it, you have moved on. So to do it now is just the right moment to remind her. You now have nothing to lose and something to gain.

Stroof

Thanks for the suggestion.

Is that something I can do myself, or should I get a lawyer to do it ? The cheque was for £1,500, so it is worth chasing. Are there companies who take on cases like this for a share of the money recovered ?

I did the court work before to get judgement against her and have the bailiff appointed, because I was given a guide on how to do it, but I have no idea where to start with Small Claims ... don't even have her current address for example.

clutton_2

have you got her national insurance number on her tenancy application form ?

Stroof

I have her NI number, PAYE Tax Ref, car registration, bank account numbers, date of birth, former (still current perhaps) work address and phone number, payroll number, mobile phone number (may now be out of date), the letter she wrote along with the £1,500 cheque which bounced and another cheque for £825 which I didn't even try to cash. But no address, and I am not sure I can trust the employer details just because someone thinks she still works there.

If that is true how come the original Attachment of Earnings procedure through the court bailiff failed - I was able to give exact details with evidence of her employment, but I got two notices back 1) saying she never worked there and 2) a week later another one saying she had left 1 month beforehand !

Getting quite worked up over this now, I want my money back !!!

clutton_2

first of all calm down ..... try to accept that getting agitated about this will not help - and it will make you stressed. you may never get this money back. If you do - it will be a bonus. - can you follow her home one day to find out where she lives ?

keith969

Stroof wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion.

Is that something I can do myself, or should I get a lawyer to do it ? The cheque was for £1,500, so it is worth chasing. Are there companies who take on cases like this for a share of the money recovered ?

I did the court work before to get judgement against her and have the bailiff appointed, because I was given a guide on how to do it, but I have no idea where to start with Small Claims ... don't even have her current address for example.

Its fairly easy, and you can probably do it online. See:

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/claims/index.htm

You'll need a contact address though, perhaps you could use her friend's address as a c/o?

mchale

Ive used https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco2/index.jsp a doodle to use, also google: "thomas higgins" I've never used them but I've heard they have a good reputation

tbs624

Depending on what age she is it may be worth you registering with social networking websites like Facebook, Bebo et al and name checking her on there. Some people rather stupidly leave their info accessible to all and sundry, or posts by their mates give helpful clues to their actual whereabouts

Catti

Are you saying you already have a judgment against her but just need to enforce it?

mlz1413

Small claims is easy use and once you have a judgement in your favour you can get bailiffs to seize money and goods to cover the debt.

You do need an address, try private detectives with a NI no's and car reg they should be able to trace her quickly. Look up Association of British Investigators for a directory of PI's.

What job does this women hold within the company? You say it is a good job, could the car be a company car? If so that suggests she works for the same company.