Ripped off By Builder

steve811

I don't know how good or how experienced your solicitors are but there have been cases where companies and individuals have disposed of assets or sold off subsidary companies to reduce their ability to pay creditors. This could be construed as fraud as they know they have liabilities but deliberately try to avoid them. I know that we can do searches on individuals and companies to link directors to companies so that we (I work for a govenrment agency) can persue the individual and show to the court that they have assets not necessarily shown on the companies books. In one case we took a prosecution (Criminal not civil) where the company were cliaming poverty. We used a forensic accountant to show that the company were only operating at a loss because the "parent" company was being paid a large part of the profits for "managing" the smaller company. The judge accepted that and fined them accordingly. The fact that he may have extracted large funds from the company as "directors remuneration" or pay which puts the company in a posittion where it cannot pay it's creditors is fraud (I think it is part of the Comapnies Act). Perhaps it is worth looking for a solicitor who has experience of these things? BTW, PM me if you think I might be able to help with investigations I have a bit of experience!

JohnnyJet

Still not in the house, been working up the house every day until it gets dark but some of the tradesmen keep letting me down. I am now having to take work off of them and do it myself. It's the only way I can be sure things get done when I want them to. Have hurt my back digging a hole for the new water mains pipe and I am now taking pain killers, I have to finish the hole by tomorrow afternoon as the plumber is coming. At least the plastering in now finished and I can finish painting this week.

miggy

You are going to end up with an abundance of skills!
Do you have any idea when you'll be able to move in yet? I'm sorry to hear you've hurt your back: do get it checked as you could end up with longer-term problems otherwise. In the meantime (I'm not being funny) make sure you warm up the muscles before using them and look up some good lifting techniques. That can make all the difference to being able to use your back in the future.
(Takes Health & Safety hat off).
Anyhow, your progress is inspiring! If you have got as far as painting you must be a significant way along.

JohnnyJet

My back problem won't be a long term thing as I have pulled a muscle, should be ok in about a week if I rest it. Having said that I finished my digging today, very slowly, thought I had to. My plumber let me down and will now put the new pipe in on Thursday, annoyed as I could have rested my back. My wife wants to move in at the weekend, which may be possible but only if all the trades produce the goods this week. This doesn't mean that the house will be finished, just means that it will be safe for the kids. We won't move in if I think it is unsafe.

JohnnyJet

Well another weekend and we still haven't moved in, still no plumbing or electrics but going to try to move in next weekend. Upstairs will be boarded off to make it safe and hoping the kitchen will be partly fitted with at least a sink. Finding it tough at the moment as I hardly see my wife and children, actually I only see my kids for about 10 minutes each morning and they are in bed when I get home. Still having issues with original builder, getting really nasty now and I am worried for our safety.

JohnnyJet

Butti wrote: »

I have no idea where you are but if you want anyone down to give you some help give us a shout. I would give some time in about the next 6 weeks, not after that! I'm painting a lot at the mo!

I'm in the north east so PM me if anywhere near.

B

Down south I'm afraid but thanks for the offer.

Paulgonnabedebtfree

JohnnyJet wrote: »

Well another weekend and we still haven't moved in, still no plumbing or electrics but going to try to move in next weekend. Upstairs will be boarded off to make it safe and hoping the kitchen will be partly fitted with at least a sink. Finding it tough at the moment as I hardly see my wife and children, actually I only see my kids for about 10 minutes each morning and they are in bed when I get home. Still having issues with original builder, getting really nasty now and I am worried for our safety.

Anything the police might be able to sort out? Threats are a criminal matter rather than civil. Even if you can't prove it, making a complaint may be enough to make him back off.

kezzygirl

hiya johnny, just wanted to say that this must be so terrible for you,i think i would have given up by now.you are so strong to keep pushing on.i hope that if there is justice in this world that the original builder can be punished for what he has done.he must have no moral fibre and no consideration for anyone but himself if he can stoop so slow as to do this to someone.
good luck

Happytogetdebtfree

Hi jonny it sounds like you are getting somewhere with the house if you can move into it, as mentioned report threats to the police, but i dont think he can do much to you if he does police will arresst so the builder will be all talk so forget about him and his threats xx hope you can be moved in soon with a workable kitchen i keep checking in so i am updated.. sorry your back went rest it well and makesure you use your abdominal muscles more supports your back better xx

JohnnyJet

Paulgonnabedebtfree wrote: »

Anything the police might be able to sort out? Threats are a criminal matter rather than civil. Even if you can't prove it, making a complaint may be enough to make him back off.

I had the police round last night and they will speak to him. Unfortunately they keep saying that it is a civil matter so they won't do any more. The fact that he is harassing us doesn't seem to bother them nor the fact that he has committed fraud and we have all the evidence we need.