Hand back cmpany laptop? Dilemma

backwardsanddownwards

Thrugelmir said:

Who is chasing you the Administrators or the new Company? 

Prepackaged administration normally has agreement of major suppliers who are creditors. 

The new company has requested it, stating it is now their property.

backwardsanddownwards

backwardsanddownwards said:

Thrugelmir said:

Who is chasing you the Administrators or the new Company? 

Prepackaged administration normally has agreement of major suppliers who are creditors. 

The new company has requested it, stating it is now their property.

Not sure if it makes any difference, but I actually bought the laptop and have proof of purchase, but then claimed the sum as expenses.

Thrugelmir

backwardsanddownwards said:

backwardsanddownwards said:

Thrugelmir said:

Who is chasing you the Administrators or the new Company? 

Prepackaged administration normally has agreement of major suppliers who are creditors. 

The new company has requested it, stating it is now their property.

Not sure if it makes any difference, but I actually bought the laptop and have proof of purchase, but then claimed the sum as expenses.

Then it is Company property. Seems easiest to tell them to send a courier to collect it from you. 

MEM62

bradders1983 said:

Tell them to pay your missing pension contributions and then you might consider it 🤣

Rightly or wrongly I would be tempted to try that one on.  Tell them you have exercised a lien on the equipment until what is owed to you is settled.  Your are probably on a hiding to nothing but what have you  got to lose.     

superbigal

I would not be so sure the Administrator has sold all the assets.  If they had done so you would probably have been requested the laptop before now.  I suspect the "new company" is completely at it.  As a creditor yourself you should be receiving access to all the comings and goings.  Contact the Administrator.   Look up what is happening on Companies House etc.

Also if there were more than 19 made redundant without notice then make sure you claim for unfair dismissal.  You should get the Protective award and depending on your circumstances may be worth a few more quid from the Gov insolvency services.

BillTrac

I'd make sure and back up anything on the laptop. But not say anything to them.
Just in case it gets wiped clean 'accidentally' before you return it

Number-6

I'm with give them the run around for a while...
Maybe ask them to come and collect it and bring with them: written proof of ownership of the computer, any accessories, licence agreements for any software on it, and for the data. If the data contains any information on people then is the company the new data controller / privacy concerns etc etc...
You'll also want a signed document from them say that they will indemnify you against any future request from anyone acting on behalf of the old company / their administrators.
Also mention your missing pension contributions in every communication with them.
Depending on who collects it you could arrange for a suitably wet evening whilst you keep them outside and check the documentation / remind them what sort of company they work for....

If they wanting it sent to them, ask them to send you all the packaging / labels etc and for them to have a courier collect it from you. Don't wasn't to risk yourself catching the virus whilst doing anything for this company...

At the end of the day it is their computer and you will need to return it. You might also want to consider any effect on future job prospects but i suppose as the old company no longer exists a future employer won't be able to ask for references etc ?

macman

The assets should be under the control of the administrators. The phoenix company can't just 'buy' the assets for a nominal sum. The administrators have a duty of care to maximise the remaining assets in order to pay off the creditors, so if you want to play hardball then I'd tell them that you will need the written permission of the administrators before you hand over anything.

missile

Tell them it is available to collect at a time convenient to you, e.g. after 5.00pm on a Sunday. Make sure you wipe it clean. I would reformat the hard drive.

unforeseen

missile said:

Tell them it is available to collect at a time convenient to you, e.g. after 5.00pm on a Sunday. Make sure you wipe it clean. I would reformat the hard drive.

Tampering with company property.  Mmmm. Especially if there is company data on the machine. Don't take much to consider that as theft as well - permanently depriving the company of their property, in this case data. 
Why not just drive over it with a car and claim it was an accident. Let's not go half measures on damaging property you don't own.