CRAR and Commercial Debt Recovery Secures £10K and Controlled Goods Agreement in Bristol
Related Services
Team Members Involved
The Situation
A commercial tenant operating from an industrial unit at a trade park near Bristol had accumulated significant rent arrears, with the total debt standing at over £45,000. Despite previous correspondence and a commitment from the company director to make a payment of £8,000 by the end of the prior month, no payment had been received and contact had become increasingly difficult to maintain. The landlord’s managing agent had exhausted the usual channels and needed enforcement action to bring matters to a head.
After searching for CRAR enforcement and commercial debt recovery in the Bristol area, the client contacted Strikes Property Services Group.
Our Approach
The office served the required Notice of Enforcement giving the tenants 7 clear working days to make payment. Following silence from the tenant the landlord instructed Strikes to attend site; Our enforcement agent arrived at the premises at 12:56hrs and located the unit. On being approached, the director retreated inside and locked the doors. Our agent waited, maintaining a professional presence, while communications continued between the debtor, the client, and our office. When the director eventually came out, our agent presented the full email chain and payment history – including the missed £8,000 commitment – which the director had not expected us to have. He claimed to have no funds and our agent requested bank statements for the previous 90 days, which the director produced, showing a balance of just over £1,000. Our agent consulted with Chris Bane and it was agreed that a Controlled Goods Agreement could be entered into on the condition that £10,000 was paid immediately. The director initially said this wasn’t possible, but after making calls he confirmed that a family member had transferred the funds. Our agent then entered the unit and conducted a full controlled goods assessment. Goods taken into control included two Ford Ranger pickup trucks, two Brian James car transporter trailers, tool chests, an Apple Mac computer, office furniture, valeting equipment, and shelving – a substantial asset base secured against the outstanding balance. The director was also advised that service charges of £15,437.15 would need to be included within the repayment arrangement.
Outcome
£10,000 was collected on the day and a Controlled Goods Agreement was signed, with the director required to submit a written payment proposal by 12:00 noon two days later, setting out a schedule of payments with the full balance – including service charges – to be cleared by the end of the following month. The case was managed by Karen Pates (Enforcement Agent) and Chris Bane (Managing Director), ensuring the debt was addressed decisively while keeping the route to full recovery firmly open.
