Deposit paid to builder - work not done

toxi

Hello

As the title indicates, I paid a deposit via bank transfer to a builder in October 2020 for some work they were due to do at my property and the work was never done. The builder informed me in February 2021 that they would be unable to complete the work and that they would return my deposit (£1,200) in 3 monthly installments. The installment plan was never adhered to, and I have had months of excuses and promises of payment 'next week'.

I have been paid a total of £700 in dribs and drabs during this time, just enough to keep me hoping that, despite all the delays and excuses, I might be lucky enough to receive the full sum due. I have not heard from the builder since the end of July and so sent him a letter before action regarding the balance of £500 still to be repaid in early August. I have now been advised that he has moved out of where he was living and I have no way of finding out his new address.

Without a current address, it seems pointless to pursue this via the small claims court (I believe you can still file with last known address, but if he's not there, I don't see how I could enforce judgement). I have called my bank, HSBC, in the slim hope that I might have options for recalling the payments I made via bank transfer and they've told me I don't.

So I think I am now at a dead-end, but thought I would post here in case anyone has any bright ideas of any other options that might be available to me? 

Many thanks
T

tacpot12

You might be able to find him via social media. Traders rarely move too far or change their business significantly. You just need an address. The previous LBA should be sufficient to be move straight to a money claim.

If you have home insurance, you might call your insurer's legal help line. They might represent you or give you help to start the claim.