• Welcome to the LegalBeagles Consumer and Legal Forum.
    Please Register to get the most out of the forum. Registration is free and only needs a username and email address.
    REGISTER
    Please do not post your full name, reference numbers or any identifiable details on the forum.

Yet another case of a cowboy builder

Collapse
Loading...
X
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Yet another case of a cowboy builder

    Hi everyone,

    Having searched the internet for the issue which I am currently experiencing, it is extremely disheartening to see how many people have been predated upon the vulture known as the cowboy builder. The shocking thing is that there seems to be very little one can do to reclaim often vast sums of money lost to these crooks.

    I agreed construction work with a limited company to do an extension to my house. I paid them the first instalment of £7000 and after a week or so of working (very minimal done!) they went radio silence on me and did not respond to any texts/calls/emails. A month or so later after a lot of anguish they responded and said that they are experiencing cash flow issues and will endeavour to try to return the money to me. Since then there has been no response (2 months).

    I have checked on Companies House and the company director is who I think is the builder's girlfriend. His girlfriend has responded to some of my emails in her capacity as director, suggesting that

    There was an active proposal to strike off which I have written to Companies House with proof of my dispute to suspend this proposal. From my investigations on Companies House there is another limited company which the builder (whose name is on the invoices as the CEO of the limited company) has, and seems to trade from too.

    So I am in the process of making an application to small claims court. What are the chances of success? I presume little as the invoice was to a limited company and so they can dissolve the company and absolve them of any debts? I think the company might be VAT registered which means that the builder might not want to dissolve with a decent amount of turnover, but the active proposal to strike off seems to suggest otherwise.

    I would really appreciate any advice on the best course of action anyhow. This has all been extremely upsetting either way, losing quite a lot of my yearly savings in such a way - there has to be some more regulation to protect consumers here - it does not seem right that these cowboy builders can effectively steal money from people and are protected through the vehicle of limited companies.
    Tags: None

  • #2
    If you would care to name and shame I will have a look at this for you.
    Last edited by EnglandPi; 16th December 2021, 10:38:AM.

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi MM019N

      Here's some information (link posted for info only)

      https://www.aabrs.com/compulsory-strike-off/

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by EnglandPi View Post
        If you would care to name and shame I will have a look at this for you. pro bono
        Hi thank you so much, the company number is 11187083

        Perhaps we take this to private messages? Appreciate it greatly

        Comment


        • #5
          Private message is discouraged as it defeats the many eyes of the forum

          Comment


          • #6
            This is a work in progress I will delve deeper when I get a chance but:

            No good news I'm afraid,

            11187083 has one Romanian director, the companies net worth is £9.

            Companies house have repeatedly threatened to strike off the company because although they have been trading three years, they seem to be extremely lax in submitting their confirmation statements on time and although they have submitted micro accounts in 2019 the accounts appear to be fraudulent.

            The director of 11187083 was also a director of 10977305 in 2017 - 2018 which has been trading four years without submitting accounts.

            10977305 has two other Romanian Directors listed but:

            It would appear the Director in question is confused as to what her date of birth is we have documents stating its 1948 1984 and 1991. Filing false information with companies house is a criminal offence,

            UK Construction 1 companies_house_document.pdf

            Linked addresses:
            304 Carr Road Northolt UB5 4RL
            3 Devonshire Road Benedict Court Pinner HA5 4NB

            The chances of you recovering any monies from the limited company are zero. I would advise you to spend no more money on this.

            The Directors are using the system to limit their liability whilst avoiding any responsibility.
            If this is a matter of principal for you and you have pots of money to throw at it, I would go after the Director personally after first stripping her of her limited liability status but even then, the chances of recovering any monies are close to zero unless she has assets like a house you can go after, which I suspect she has.


            A £3 land registry search on 3 Devonshire Road Benedict Court Pinner HA5 4NB may reveal information as to whether this route is worth pursuing.
            Attached Files
            Last edited by EnglandPi; 16th December 2021, 09:16:AM.

            Comment


            • #7
              Try tracking the names on social media, Facebook, Twitter etc.

              Contact Trading Standards, find out if others have lodged complaints.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by EnglandPi View Post
                This is a work in progress I will delve deeper when I get a chance but:

                No good news I'm afraid,

                11187083 has one Romanian director, the companies net worth is £9.

                Companies house have repeatedly threatened to strike off the company because although they have been trading three years, they seem to be extremely lax in submitting their confirmation statements on time and although they have submitted micro accounts in 2019 the accounts appear to be fraudulent.

                The director of 11187083 was also a director of 10977305 in 2017 - 2018 which has been trading four years without submitting accounts.

                10977305 has two other Romanian Directors listed but:

                It would appear the Director in question is confused as to what her date of birth is we have documents stating its 1948 1984 and 1991. Filing false information with companies house is a criminal offence,

                UK Construction 1 companies_house_document.pdf

                Linked addresses:
                304 Carr Road Northolt UB5 4RL
                3 Devonshire Road Benedict Court Pinner HA5 4NB

                The chances of you recovering any monies from the limited company are zero. I would advise you to spend no more money on this.

                The Directors are using the system to limit their liability whilst avoiding any responsibility.
                If this is a matter of principal for you and you have pots of money to throw at it, I would go after the Director personally after first stripping her of her limited liability status but even then, the chances of recovering any monies are close to zero unless she has assets like a house you can go after, which I suspect she has.


                A £3 land registry search on 3 Devonshire Road Benedict Court Pinner HA5 4NB may reveal information as to whether this route is worth pursuing.
                Thank you so much for the research - it means a lot.

                On the 22nd the company accounts of 11187083 has since been updated on the 22nd December 2021, showing a balance of £3,925. Does this change anything? I presume it means the company itself actually does have some assets but is there anything stopping them from just dissipating any assets? Would asking the court for an injunction work at all?

                Regarding the many different businesses which they are running is there any way to link them together? If possible I would like to go after them, at the very least to prevent them from acting so nefariously in the future. If we were to go after the Director personally, what would be the best way to strip her of the limited liability status? From what I am aware the whole purpose of the limited liability status is to prevent being held liable for the company's debts - would we have to 'pierce the corporate veil' by claiming the director has been acting fraudulently.

                Really appreciate you spending some time to help - hope you are having a great Christmas if you celebrate.

                Comment


                • #9
                  https://www.gov.uk/company-director-disqualification

                  Comment

                  View our Terms and Conditions

                  LegalBeagles Group uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and to create a secure and effective website. By using this website, you are consenting to such use.To find out more and learn how to manage cookies please read our Cookie and Privacy Policy.

                  If you would like to opt in, or out, of receiving news and marketing from LegalBeagles Group Ltd you can amend your settings at any time here.


                  If you would like to cancel your registration please Contact Us. We will delete your user details on request, however, any previously posted user content will remain on the site with your username removed and 'Guest' inserted.
                  Working...
                  X