0:00:02 > 0:00:03If you're owed money but aren't getting paid,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are Enforcement Agents.
0:00:08 > 0:00:09I'm here to issue a High Court writ.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12I've got to do what I'm instructed to by the courts.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15They're Enforcement Agents of the High Court,
0:00:15 > 0:00:17and if a court's ruled in your favour,
0:00:17 > 0:00:19they're on your side.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22If the debtor doesn't want to pay...
0:00:22 > 0:00:25You currently owe £9,461.80.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28..the law says the sheriffs can get you what you're owed.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29If you don't come to the door,
0:00:29 > 0:00:31we have to remove the vehicle off the drive.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34You'll have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Whether it's a small company...
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Can I speak to the person in charge, please?
0:00:37 > 0:00:39..or a household name...
0:00:39 > 0:00:40We're here to see somebody from G4S.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44..if they owe you money, the sheriffs get it paid.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46I'm not going anywhere. You get him to come in here.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49We're not going to wait around like that. It needs to be done now.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50I just collected 42 grand.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Coming up, Lawrence and Kev face an unusual barricade
0:00:57 > 0:00:59on an eviction job...
0:00:59 > 0:01:00This will be interesting.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03I think he's probably deadlocked it off, mate.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04..but will they be able to get in
0:01:04 > 0:01:06and reclaim the building for its owners?
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Claire Yew wasn't paid the rent she was due from a lettings agent.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14He owed me about six months' rent.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16That was quite hard for me and my family
0:01:16 > 0:01:19because I still had to pay the mortgage.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Sheriff Ken Warby has an ultimatum for the manager.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24I'm going to have to insist on half payment,
0:01:24 > 0:01:26or I remove the goods.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29A bathroom supplier who's fallen behind with payments
0:01:29 > 0:01:32is taken by surprise when the sheriffs come to call.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Until you guys turned up today,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36I thought they'd just give me a bit of breathing space
0:01:36 > 0:01:38to try and get some money together.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40He's got cash, but is it enough?
0:01:41 > 0:01:44And Sheriff Alan Pennington pays a visit to a company
0:01:44 > 0:01:46which makes retail displays...
0:01:46 > 0:01:49I'm pretty sure that's one of them going now.
0:01:49 > 0:01:50..but is he too late?
0:01:50 > 0:01:53This company is in administration/liquidation.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Sheriff Ken Warby is in East London
0:02:04 > 0:02:07on his way to a lettings agent in Whitechapel.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Our claimant was letting a property through them
0:02:10 > 0:02:14and the debtor has not released the money to our claimant.
0:02:15 > 0:02:21We're going for approximately £8,500 including sheriff fees.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25The lettings agent is called Hometrader Properties.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28They owe money to full-time mum Claire Yew,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30who found herself in dispute with the company
0:02:30 > 0:02:34after deciding to buy a house to rent out.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37I was looking for a house for a buy-to-let investment,
0:02:37 > 0:02:42so I wanted somewhere as close to London as possible.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45She managed to find what she thought would be
0:02:45 > 0:02:47an ideal property in Plaistow -
0:02:47 > 0:02:50not too far from Central London, but still affordable.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53It is actually a three-bed terraced house
0:02:53 > 0:02:54with two receptions and a basement,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57so one reception can be used as a bedroom as well.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02And it's close to all the amenities, the hospital and public transport.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Her offer on the property was accepted
0:03:04 > 0:03:06and the sale went through quickly.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08As there was already a tenant living there,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10the seller made a suggestion.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12The vendor discussed with me and said,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15"Well, they have been good tenants," and he said,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17"Currently, I've got a guaranteed rent contract
0:03:17 > 0:03:23"with the managing agent and they pay me every month no problem,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26"so why don't we just keep the tenant and save all the hassle?"
0:03:26 > 0:03:30The tenancy had been managed by Hometrader Properties,
0:03:30 > 0:03:32and its agent confirmed they'd be willing for Claire
0:03:32 > 0:03:35to keep the existing tenant on the same terms.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38They would get the guaranteed rent of 1,300 every month,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42so it doesn't matter whether the tenants pay or not.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Since they organised everything for me and made it easy for me
0:03:45 > 0:03:47and they told me that we don't have to pay anything,
0:03:47 > 0:03:49I thought, "Well, why not?"
0:03:50 > 0:03:54For the first few months, the rent was paid as promised,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57but then payments began to be delayed,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59with the man at Hometraders saying there were problems
0:03:59 > 0:04:02with tenants' housing benefit.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05He told me that because the tenant is on housing benefits,
0:04:05 > 0:04:09the tenant's rent is actually paid by the council,
0:04:09 > 0:04:14and apparently, the tenant did some part-time job over December
0:04:14 > 0:04:18and she didn't put in some paperwork and, I don't know, some red tape.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19So, anyway, they claimed that
0:04:19 > 0:04:23the council had stopped giving them the rent.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26And despite Claire's contract saying the rent would be guaranteed
0:04:26 > 0:04:29no matter what, payments continued to lag behind.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31It just dragged on and on and on,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34and they kept telling me the same thing -
0:04:34 > 0:04:35that it's not sorted out yet and,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38"We're actually paying you out of my own money."
0:04:38 > 0:04:39That's what he told me.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Although Hometrader Properties did make some payments,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45the arrears continued to mount up.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48He owed me about 9,000, which is about six months' rent.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51That was quite hard for me and my family because
0:04:51 > 0:04:55I still had to pay the mortgage that was going on all this time,
0:04:55 > 0:05:00so I had to save up and stinge on certain aspects of our life
0:05:00 > 0:05:02so that I would be able to pay for the mortgage
0:05:02 > 0:05:05in order not to have the house repossessed.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10Claire decided the only way to stop the situation getting worse
0:05:10 > 0:05:12was to get the problem tenant evicted.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15In the meantime, the agents made occasional payments,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18but nowhere near what she was owed.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20He told me, "Don't worry. I'm not going to cheat your money."
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Then the tenant leaves.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24"It'll be sorted out once the tenant leaves, right?"
0:05:24 > 0:05:26So, the tenant left.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28I went to see him and said, "OK, now the tenant has left,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30"can I have my payment, please?"
0:05:30 > 0:05:33And he started to give me more excuses.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35"Just give me two weeks, I promise. Three weeks.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37"We'll give you a payment in three weeks' time."
0:05:37 > 0:05:39So, I tried calling him so many times.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Just to speak to him, I have to call, like, ten times a day
0:05:42 > 0:05:44just to catch him, and then he'll say,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46"Oh, I'll call you back tomorrow. I'll check this out."
0:05:46 > 0:05:48And he never calls me back,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50so that's when I decided to take him to court.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53But while she was going through the court process,
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Claire received some surprising news.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00The council called me up to find out why I evicted the tenant
0:06:00 > 0:06:03because the tenant was a bit upset,
0:06:03 > 0:06:09and I told her it's because the agent hasn't paid the rent
0:06:09 > 0:06:10for six months.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11That's when I found out
0:06:11 > 0:06:15that the council had been paying the rent
0:06:15 > 0:06:18but it's just that, every month, they just deducted a little bit,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20so that's when I found out
0:06:20 > 0:06:22that he actually had the money all this time.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Claire won her case in court
0:06:24 > 0:06:27after the agents didn't enter a defence.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30The judge ordered them to pay back the money they owed to Claire.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33He still didn't do anything. There was no response from him.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36That's when I decided to escalate the case to the sheriffs
0:06:36 > 0:06:39cos I've seen them on TV and they do really well.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42They are my only hope of recovering the money for me.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53In East London, Ken is on his way to Hometrader Properties
0:06:53 > 0:06:55to get Claire's money back.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59It's a large sum, but will there be enough assets to cover it?
0:06:59 > 0:07:02There can be assets to seize at an estate agents, yeah.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Computers, printers. There's not usually a great deal,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08but there's still usually a bit of office equipment there.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Right, I've found the place - it's there - but there's no parking,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15surprise, surprise. You've got to watch the wardens.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18They come out of the cracks of the pavement and do you.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20I usually have it on me Bromleys pretty quick,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23and get to my car before I get a ticket.
0:07:23 > 0:07:24On your what, Ken?
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Bromley-by-Bows - toes.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28Spoken like a true Cockney.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32The next rhyming slang we'll need is the one for pay up.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- Knock-knock. Hello.- Hello.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Hi there. Can I speak to the person in charge, please?
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Is that yourself, sir?
0:07:43 > 0:07:47My name's Mr Warby from the Court's Sheriffs Office.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52This is regarding a judgment against Hometrader Properties.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55The man doesn't seem to recognise the details of the case,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57but another staff member does.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Well, we're here as a result of
0:08:03 > 0:08:06a writ of control from the High Court.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Ken shows his writ,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13but the man says the matter is still in dispute
0:08:13 > 0:08:15and he asks our cameraman to leave.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Inside, the boss tells Ken
0:08:20 > 0:08:22that he is contesting the court's decision
0:08:22 > 0:08:23and so he doesn't want to pay.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25He says the matter is being dealt with
0:08:25 > 0:08:28by his solicitor, Mr Haque,
0:08:28 > 0:08:32and as his office is only next door, he asks Ken to come and see him,
0:08:32 > 0:08:34but they don't get very far.
0:08:34 > 0:08:35After you.
0:08:35 > 0:08:36After you.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38After you, I insist.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40I'll tell you what, I'm not going anywhere.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- You get him to come in here. - The boss refused to leave first,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47making Ken suspicious it's a ruse to lock him out of the shop.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51I've changed my mind. I want to see him in here.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Mr Haque does come to the agents.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Our camera is invited back in to record the conversation.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Ken's now had a chance to survey the assets in the office,
0:09:00 > 0:09:04and there's not much, so he offers a deal.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Total stands at 8,496.60.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12What I'm prepared to do today is accept half this payment
0:09:12 > 0:09:17from your client and give 14 days to pay the balance.
0:09:19 > 0:09:20OK?
0:09:20 > 0:09:23What I've done is I've taken a list, an inventory,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25of assets at this address,
0:09:25 > 0:09:29and providing I get a signed writ of control,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31I'll give you that 14 days.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Mr Haque says the court lost his client's paperwork,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58so he wants 14 days to make a new application
0:09:58 > 0:10:00to challenge the judgment.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03But the courts have issued Ken with a live writ,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06which needs to be paid and no excuses.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09As it stands at the moment, I'm here with this writ of control
0:10:09 > 0:10:11and I'm going to have to insist on half payment.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26I think I'm being more than reasonable.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29The choice is your client either pays half of it
0:10:29 > 0:10:31or I call up a removal van
0:10:31 > 0:10:33and remove the goods on my list.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37You can make a complaint, sir, if that's what you want to do.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Mr Haque's refusing to back down.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Instead, he wants to make a complaint.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48Ken gets the office on the phone, but it's his turn to speak first.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- Hello, Jack. It's Ken. - OVER PHONE:- 'Hello.'
0:10:50 > 0:10:54Require a removal van, if possible. It's general office equipment.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59Ken's ramped up the pressure, but Mr Haque's come out fighting.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01OK, this is Jackie.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22Mr Haque wrongly believes that Ken is exceeding his powers.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25The office asks him to put his concerns in writing.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Thanks.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51Mr Haque leaves and our camera is again asked to step outside.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55While the boss mulls over the offer of half payment,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Ken continues to list the assets in the office,
0:11:58 > 0:12:02but in the end, removing them isn't necessary.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Realising that the sheriffs have the law on their side,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07the boss gives in.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10They paid me half after some argument,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12and I've got a controlled goods agreement
0:12:12 > 0:12:15for them to pay the balance within 14 days.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18The job went well. I listed the items in there.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20If they were to go at auction,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23you probably wouldn't get much more than a grand for them anyway.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26And as for their solicitor Mr Haque's objections,
0:12:26 > 0:12:27Ken isn't the least bit worried.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31He seems to think that they should have 14 days
0:12:31 > 0:12:34before they have to pay any money whatsoever.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37I did tell him it was down to my discretion
0:12:37 > 0:12:39and I wanted half payment there and then,
0:12:39 > 0:12:41which is what I got.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Sure enough, Hometrader paid the final balance
0:12:44 > 0:12:47and Claire Yew has got back the money she was owed.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52I'm very happy about this cos I never expected anyone
0:12:52 > 0:12:55to be able to recover the money from him,
0:12:55 > 0:12:59but they managed to do it, so I'm very, very thankful to them.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05The manager of Hometrader Properties says that...
0:13:11 > 0:13:14He says he paid for maintenance work on the property
0:13:14 > 0:13:17for which Ms Yew has never been charged.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19And he says that the lettings agent
0:13:19 > 0:13:21covered the legal costs
0:13:21 > 0:13:25of the eviction totalling £1,280.
0:13:30 > 0:13:31If you've been ripped off
0:13:31 > 0:13:35and the person or company responsible refuses to pay you back,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39the first step is to make a claim in the County Court.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41It's simple to do this online.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43For a small fee, depending on the size of the claim,
0:13:43 > 0:13:47the court will review the evidence, and if it finds in your favour,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53If they don't, then for a further £60,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55the High Court will grant a writ
0:13:55 > 0:13:58authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01If they're successful, you get all your money back.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07It's an early start for Lawrence and Kev
0:14:07 > 0:14:10who are on their way to a car garage in Luton.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12The business owner has stopped paying rent,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15so the landlord wants the premises back.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18It's a car body shop
0:14:18 > 0:14:22and the tenant has been evicted twice already, I believe,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25but he keeps breaking back in again and carrying on business,
0:14:25 > 0:14:29so we're going up there today taking possession of the premises
0:14:29 > 0:14:31and then handing it over to the client.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33This job is a writ of possession,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35where the sheriffs are taking back a building
0:14:35 > 0:14:37rather than pursuing a debt,
0:14:37 > 0:14:39but from the information they've been given,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42it sounds like there could be complications.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44We've been advised that the roller shutter
0:14:44 > 0:14:47may be blockaded on the inside by a vehicle.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49And that's not all.
0:14:49 > 0:14:50There's a small gated yard to the front
0:14:50 > 0:14:53where we've been advised there might be a dog.
0:14:54 > 0:14:55Doesn't sound too bad.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- Famous last words. - Yeah, I bet it'd still bite you.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02Maybe.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08When they arrive, it's still early and the garage is shut.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10It becomes immediately obvious
0:15:10 > 0:15:12that they've got a problem on their hands.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- Oh, so, that's what he's doing. - Oh, now I understand.- Yeah.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19So, that is going to be a bit of a pain.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23We were presuming the car was inside and the door opens outwards,
0:15:23 > 0:15:25but the door opens outwards with a car in front.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29So, we've now got to get the car moved back
0:15:29 > 0:15:31before we can get through the door.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35As the handbrake's on, that's going to be tricky,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38but locksmith Andy Marsh thinks he might be able to help.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Could try and open it through the...the air bag...
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- You've got a puffy bag, have you?- Yeah.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- And then see if we can pull the door handle, see if that does it.- Yeah.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51If Andy can get in and take the handbrake off,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54it'd be problem solved.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58We use air bags. Don't want to damage the vehicle in any way.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01It's all electric, so you won't be able to wind the windows down,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04so it's pretty much fingers crossed on this one.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05The pressure's on.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09While Andy gets started,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Lawrence and Kev get their bit of good news -
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- the dog's not here. - The neighbour has advised us
0:16:14 > 0:16:17that if the dog was in there, we'd have heard it by now.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21So, not going to get bitten, as yet. That's always nice to hear.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Meanwhile, Andy's struggling.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28I think he's probably deadlocked it off, mate.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30If the car's been fitted with deadlocks,
0:16:30 > 0:16:32they won't get in without a key.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Oh, yeah, of course. It's Vauxhall, isn't it?
0:16:34 > 0:16:35Some you win, some you lose.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38But one way or another, it'll be moved.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41The only option now might be a tow truck,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45which the landlord has said they would provide if needed.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Lawrence gets on the phone, only to find they've been let down.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51She's just informed me her nephew was looking into it
0:16:51 > 0:16:53and the guy they were going to use is in Poland,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56so he's been trying to find somebody else.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59If the sheriffs had known, they would've brought one themselves.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Now it's too late. - This is one of the issues you get.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06Occasionally, a client says they're going to arrange a truck,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08so we've left it for them to arrange a truck.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Soon, the landlord herself arrives with her solicitor,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17and it turns out she's pretty pleased to see Lawrence and Kev.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Hi, Lawrence.- Morning.- Are you OK?
0:17:20 > 0:17:22- Hiya, Kev.- Hi there. How you doing?
0:17:22 > 0:17:23Hello. All right? How's it going?
0:17:23 > 0:17:24Big fan of you guys.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26I didn't think I'd actually meet you in my life...
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- Thank you. - ..but it happens to me, yeah.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31While the family starts calling around for a tow truck,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Kev's looking at other options.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- Hello, mate.- Hiya.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38You haven't got any skates, have you?
0:17:38 > 0:17:39- Skates? No, man.- Not got any?
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- Has anyone around here got any, do you think?- Yeah.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Skates are rollers which can be used to move a stationary car,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48and the search is on to see if they can borrow some.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Meanwhile, Lawrence is looking at another way
0:17:51 > 0:17:52of getting inside the building.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54Do you know which way the fire exit is?
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- You know.- The fire exits, they're all linked.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00There might be access at the back through the next-door garage,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02so Lawrence goes to investigate.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07This chap's in the back of the...
0:18:07 > 0:18:10The problem is, they've dumped a lot of rubbish. I'll show you.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- If you go out through here... - Oh, yeah.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15..they've dumped a load of rubbish in the back there.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18You'd be all right getting out in a fire. They wouldn't, would they?
0:18:19 > 0:18:23It's a no-go. The alley is completely blocked.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27Back on the forecourt, the landlords haven't given up on the car
0:18:27 > 0:18:29and are taking matters into their own hands.
0:18:31 > 0:18:32What are we towing it with now?
0:18:35 > 0:18:37It's going to be dragged.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40This will be interesting.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- Safety footwear. - LAUGHTER
0:18:46 > 0:18:50And it's not just the funky footwear troubling Lawrence.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53My concern is that silly little strap thing
0:18:53 > 0:18:55that you can buy out of a petrol station.
0:18:55 > 0:19:02It is no way rated to tow something that's in gear with the brakes on.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- If that hook goes... - Could well ping.- Yeah, so...
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Don't stand too close to that.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14It's not quite the set-up Lawrence and Kev are used to.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Not ideal, to say the least, but...
0:19:17 > 0:19:19It's not ideal in the slightest.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Cable is not rated to pull that at all.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27But will it work? CREAKING
0:19:27 > 0:19:30The strain sounds wrong getting further back.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- CLATTERING - There you go.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35This is so ghetto, isn't it? This is...
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Later, we find out whether the sheriffs
0:19:40 > 0:19:42can get into the garage.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44MOTOR REVS
0:19:44 > 0:19:47A petrol grinder pretty much goes through everything and anything.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06In the north-east, Sheriff Chris Pearson
0:20:06 > 0:20:08is on his way to a very different kind of job.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11He's going to see a seller of upmarket bathrooms
0:20:11 > 0:20:13who's got a debt to pay.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17We're off to Stockton-on-Tees to see a company called Envy Homes.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Envy Homes owes £2,286
0:20:21 > 0:20:22after falling behind
0:20:22 > 0:20:24with payments to a supplier -
0:20:24 > 0:20:25City Distribution Limited.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27The company was taken to court.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31It didn't defend the case and judgment was found against it.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Chris has been told it's a small, one-man company,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36and on arrival, is pleasantly surprised.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Envy Homes.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Ah, looks more than a one-man band to me.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43If it's a company, they normally have assets
0:20:43 > 0:20:45and it's normally straightforward.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Fingers crossed that's how it's going to be here.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53It's a large showroom full of stock.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57But despite it being the middle of the day,
0:20:57 > 0:20:59there doesn't seem to be anyone in.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Just as he's trying to reach the debtor by phone,
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- a man arrives.- How are you doing? Is this your premises, sir?
0:21:09 > 0:21:10- It is, yes.- Yeah, all right.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14I've got a High Court writ to do with City Distribution Limited.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18You've got a balance at the minute of £2,285.61.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20I wasn't aware that it was that much at all.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23The boss of Envy Homes clearly knew he owed money,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25but doesn't seem to have realised
0:21:25 > 0:21:28how serious the situation had become.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31I haven't got all that sort of money at the moment, not on me,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34but I dare say I could have, like, half of it within a couple of days.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Yeah, you need to get it right now.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- We're actually here to take control of your goods...- Right.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41..to sell them at auction, basically.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43I understand it's a lot of money to get together,
0:21:43 > 0:21:45but you need to get on the phone
0:21:45 > 0:21:46and see if you can organise the funds for us
0:21:46 > 0:21:49cos worst-case scenario, mate, if you don't do that,
0:21:49 > 0:21:51we are going to have to take your goods.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- I'll see what I can do.- No problem, I'll hang fire. No problem.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58The man goes inside to see if he can raise the money,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01and for the time being at least, Chris is happy to wait.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03It's not worth pushing it,
0:22:03 > 0:22:07causing a fracas just because we need it straightaway.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09We'll give him time to make a few phone calls.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12I'm sure the threat of us going in there
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and taking his stock, I think that's going to be more than enough
0:22:15 > 0:22:17to get him to get the funds for us.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21And while the boss does what he has to do,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Chris is doing a bit of window-shopping.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25The missus wants a new sink.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28I like them, don't you? I think they're nice.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31I like that mirror. See the mirror? I know it's just a standard mirror,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33but the effect of it's nice, isn't it?
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Might throw a mirror in for her as well.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41The boss has called some friends to try to borrow the money,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44and while he waits to hear back, tells Chris what's gone on.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46I always paid them.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48I had problems before, but I always cleared my debts OK.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- But just this year, it's just killed it.- Right.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53It's just dead and so I couldn't pay the first month.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Then the second month hit and I just said,
0:22:55 > 0:22:57"Look, I'm sorry, I'm still struggling."
0:22:57 > 0:23:00I just assumed they'd realise business would be bad
0:23:00 > 0:23:02and they would just take it easy.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05I didn't expect you guys to turn up, put it that way.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07But the County judgment was issued against the business
0:23:07 > 0:23:11more than two months ago and it should have been settled.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Now faced with a demand for immediate payment,
0:23:14 > 0:23:16it's not clear whether he's going to be able
0:23:16 > 0:23:17to get the money together.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20I don't know who he's phoning, what's happening, to be honest.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23If he can't get the money, there's plenty of assets for us to take,
0:23:23 > 0:23:24so we're fine there.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26I can give him as long as he needs, really.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28He seems a genuine guy, he's trying to sort things out,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30so try and give him a bit of extra time.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36Time to check out the bathtubs.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37Very nice.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41I don't think I can afford these prices, though.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Bit expensive in here.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46We're more B&Q type people, to be honest.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Meanwhile...
0:23:52 > 0:23:54..the boss has called in a couple of favours
0:23:54 > 0:23:57and some friends have dropped by with the cash.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00It looks like Chris is home and dry,
0:24:00 > 0:24:04but when he counts the money, there seems to be a problem.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07- How much did you say was there? - It should be exactly...
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Well, the exact amount. Is it off, is it?
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Absolutely. It's quite a way off.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15You're 520 short, by the looks of it.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18The man had told Chris it was the right amount to the penny,
0:24:18 > 0:24:22yet more than £500 seems to be missing.
0:24:22 > 0:24:241,740. Is that what you've got?
0:24:25 > 0:24:28The man can't seem to explain what's happened.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31- Could you give me five minutes? - Yeah, yeah.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34I'll see what I can sort out cos I don't know why...
0:24:34 > 0:24:35I don't know why I'm short.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Just when it looked like the job was in the bag,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42everything's been thrown into doubt.
0:24:42 > 0:24:43If the man doesn't have the cash,
0:24:43 > 0:24:47then Chris might have to take goods after all.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50But luckily, it turns out to be a simple mistake.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51Right, located, mate.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53There was some in the back of the drawer.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Check it over, but it's definitely right now.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58The missing cash was there all along,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01but had been hiding at the back of a drawer.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Chris counts again and this time, it's good.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Yeah, that's right there.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- Well done, mate. Brilliant. Thank you.- OK.- Thanks for your help.
0:25:09 > 0:25:10Cheers. Appreciate that.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14The bathroom seller is relieved to be able to clear his debt
0:25:14 > 0:25:16and send the sheriff on his way,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19even if he still thinks it didn't have to come to this.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22At the end of the day, I wasn't planning on going anywhere.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24As you can see, my showroom's still here,
0:25:24 > 0:25:28but the company decided to basically go forward
0:25:28 > 0:25:31and put a County Court Judgment against the company
0:25:31 > 0:25:32to get the money back.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35But, as I said, you can only pay it if you've got it.
0:25:35 > 0:25:36Until you guys turned up today,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39I thought they'd just given me a bit of a breathing space
0:25:39 > 0:25:41to try and get some money together.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44The man's supplier has finally got the money they were owed,
0:25:44 > 0:25:47and Chris is just glad to see the matter resolved
0:25:47 > 0:25:48in the best way possible.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52He's a genuine guy, pretty nice guy,
0:25:52 > 0:25:54so I'm happy for him that he got the money together,
0:25:54 > 0:25:56rather than having to tip him out, take all the gear.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14Lawrence and Kev are in Luton trying to reclaim a garage for its owner
0:26:14 > 0:26:16after the tenant stopped paying rent.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18But a car's blocking the door
0:26:18 > 0:26:21and a tow truck, which was promised, hasn't arrived,
0:26:21 > 0:26:25so now the landlords are trying to move the car themselves,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27much to Lawrence and Kev's disapproval.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- Could well ping.- Yes.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Their first attempt failed.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33CREAKING AND CLATTERING
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Now it's take two.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- CREAKING - Knot's going to go.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Not rated to pull that at all.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46This time, it works.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48- That'll do you.- That'll do.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Yeah, remarkably enough,
0:26:51 > 0:26:56the double knot on the little garage towrope did the job.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Now it's just a matter of getting through the door.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02MOTOR REVS
0:27:02 > 0:27:06A petrol grinder pretty much goes through everything and anything.
0:27:06 > 0:27:07Diamond-tip blade on it.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Andy gets to work.
0:27:24 > 0:27:25He's through the hinges.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30And a crowbar finishes the job.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32That was it, was it?
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- There we go.- No problem.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Inside, the garage has been left in a bit of a mess,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43and you need to watch your step,
0:27:43 > 0:27:47but much to the landlord's relief, there's no sign of any major damage
0:27:47 > 0:27:50and the equipment they own is still there.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- Just a case of making it secure, then, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59While work starts on the doors, Lawrence takes a look around.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03The tenant owes rent, and so, along with the writ to evict him,
0:28:03 > 0:28:06they've got another one to take control of goods,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08but there's nothing here of value.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12Certainly no sign of the supercars advertised outside.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13Works on some nice cars -
0:28:13 > 0:28:17Ferraris, Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, Porsches.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Can't see many people rushing to bring their Lamborghini here,
0:28:19 > 0:28:22to be honest, but...hey-ho.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25The only things of interest are some dirt bikes,
0:28:25 > 0:28:28but it's not clear who they belong to.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30They haven't got number plates on them,
0:28:30 > 0:28:33so there's no real way of ascertaining ownership.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35Doubt they're street legal, to be honest.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39Another obstacle to enforcing the writ of control
0:28:39 > 0:28:41is that they have to serve the former tenant notice.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44I brought a notice of enforcement with me today
0:28:44 > 0:28:46in case he'd been here.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48If he'd turned up, I could've served him with the notice,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51but he hasn't, so we've now got to have an alternative address
0:28:51 > 0:28:53cos obviously this is no longer his address.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Hopefully, he won't be able to get back in here.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03So, for now, all that's left to do is seal the property up,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06and this time, the landlord's solicitor wants it done properly.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11We used commercial bailiffs initially.
0:29:11 > 0:29:12We got possession of the premises
0:29:12 > 0:29:16and the occupier broke back in the next day,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19so we then got a County Court bailiff to come round
0:29:19 > 0:29:24and again, the occupier broke back in the next day,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26which is why the sheriffs are here.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30And they're not going to make the same mistake.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32Check out the fire exit.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35Apparently, this is how he got in last time.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Yeah, he's nailed it all up.
0:29:37 > 0:29:42He seems to have screwed it up quite securely since he got back in,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44but I still see this as the weak point.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48So, we're just making extra sure...
0:29:50 > 0:29:51..that it's secured.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55And then it's time to head off,
0:29:55 > 0:29:59though not before enjoying a bit more attention from their fans.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- She's been banging on about you guys for ages.- Oh, stop it!
0:30:02 > 0:30:04It's all coming out now.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06"The sheriffs are coming! The sheriffs are coming!"
0:30:06 > 0:30:09I hope she doesn't tell you everything what I say.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- Oh, really? Sounds interesting. - You'll start blushing again.
0:30:12 > 0:30:17- Might do.- Yes. - SHE LAUGHS
0:30:17 > 0:30:20Quite nice to not be getting abused.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Makes a change. But no, no, it's nice.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Job done.
0:30:27 > 0:30:28Off for breakfast.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- There you go. There's your keys. - Cheers then.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36- See you later. - Very nice to meet you, guys.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38- Thank you. - Yeah, thank you very much.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42The premises is safely back in the hands of its relieved owners,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45and with another successful job in the bag,
0:30:45 > 0:30:47the sheriffs are on their way.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court Enforcement Agents,
0:30:53 > 0:30:55and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59My job is to collect in full all removed goods.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10£1.6 million.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Their fees are set by the government,
0:31:12 > 0:31:16which debtors have to pay on top of what they already owe.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Thank you very much. See you later.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:31:20 > 0:31:24there's a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:31:30 > 0:31:35- SAT NAV:- 'Now take exit 24 to A57 toward M67.'
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Debts are much more likely to be paid
0:31:38 > 0:31:40if the debtor is in a sound financial position,
0:31:40 > 0:31:42but the sheriffs often find themselves
0:31:42 > 0:31:46knocking on the doors of companies that are in trouble.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49In Manchester, Enforcement Agent Alan Pennington
0:31:49 > 0:31:52is on his way to see just such a business.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55I'm off to i4 Retail Display Group Limited
0:31:55 > 0:31:58from Denton, just outside Manchester.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00Don't really know much about the case.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03I've just been asked by the High Court to execute a writ.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07The company has been taken to court by one of its suppliers.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10It didn't defend the case and judgment was found against it.
0:32:10 > 0:32:15It now owes a total of £7,866.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17If they can't make the payment today,
0:32:17 > 0:32:21what we'll be looking for is phones, display units, maybe computers,
0:32:21 > 0:32:23those types of things.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27'Arriving at M34...'
0:32:27 > 0:32:29The address on the writ leads to an industrial estate.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35Alan heads to the building where it looks like i4 Retail might be based.
0:32:42 > 0:32:43Someone buzzes him in,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46but once inside, he's met with a locked door...
0:32:46 > 0:32:49HE KNOCKS ..and no-one's answering.
0:32:54 > 0:32:55They must be in.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59The building's definitely open.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01It looks like - looking at the paperwork -
0:33:01 > 0:33:05that they actually build display units for shops,
0:33:05 > 0:33:06and this is the office,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09but the rest of the building belongs to them as well.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Let me just go and see if I can find another way in.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15Alan starts to scout around the outside of the building,
0:33:15 > 0:33:17but it's all a bit puzzling.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20HE KNOCKS All the lights are on.
0:33:20 > 0:33:25And it's nearly half past nine, yet no-one is answering anywhere.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35I notice they don't advertise themselves.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37The building hasn't got any identity on it.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41A chat with one of the neighbours confirms this is i4 Retail Group,
0:33:41 > 0:33:44and the business was definitely open yesterday.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48Basically, what we've found is that the display units
0:33:48 > 0:33:51that they build on are in the big part of the building,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54and the main part we've been in already are offices.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59But the landlord, apparently, works in the retail park straight ahead,
0:33:59 > 0:34:02so if we can't get an answer in the next couple of minutes,
0:34:02 > 0:34:03I'll go and see the landlord.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08But before it comes to that, Alan spots someone in the car park.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11- Do you guys work for next door? - Yeah, mate.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13Who's opened the front door? You guys?
0:34:13 > 0:34:16- Yeah.- What time does your boss normally come in?
0:34:16 > 0:34:18- MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY - All right.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21I'll wait till he comes in. Thanks, fellas.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29- Alan gets in the car to wait it out. - You've got to put a time limit on it
0:34:29 > 0:34:31cos obviously you've got other work to do as well.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33I'll give him ten or 15 minutes.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36I don't want to catch him on the doorstep. I'll wait till he gets in.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39And after a couple of minutes, he spots someone in his mirror.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41I'm pretty sure that's...
0:34:44 > 0:34:45..one of them going now.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Alan heads in, and this time, he gets an answer.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59Hello. Are you part of the office team?
0:34:59 > 0:35:00OK.
0:35:00 > 0:35:01I'm an Enforcement Agent
0:35:01 > 0:35:04and I'm here to execute a writ on behalf of the High Court.
0:35:14 > 0:35:15Do you mind if I come in?
0:35:15 > 0:35:18The man isn't the boss, but an employee
0:35:18 > 0:35:21who's clearly reeling from the shock of the company going under.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23But Alan is here to collect a debt,
0:35:23 > 0:35:28and so he needs to get to the bottom of exactly what the situation is.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31My name's Mr Pennington from the Sheriffs Office, OK?
0:35:31 > 0:35:33You're saying you actually applied for liquidation
0:35:33 > 0:35:36- or you're in liquidation? - I'm not 100% sure.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38All I know is I've been asked to come in
0:35:38 > 0:35:40and today, I'm going to meet the gentleman
0:35:40 > 0:35:43who's carrying out the deed, if you will.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47- Did you just find out this morning? - I found out last night.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Effectively, we've all been made redundant.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Alan's chances of getting the money the claimant's owed
0:35:52 > 0:35:54are now looking slim.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57The liquidator is due to arrive later today,
0:35:57 > 0:35:59but as Alan can't leave until he's sure
0:35:59 > 0:36:02the company isn't still trading, he gets him on the phone.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Hello, Neil. It's Mr Pennington here from the High Court.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07I believe you're coming here today.
0:36:09 > 0:36:10Right. Right.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14The liquidator confirms that the company is indeed in administration
0:36:14 > 0:36:17and offers to send the relevant paperwork
0:36:17 > 0:36:18through to the Sheriffs Office.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22That means that even if the company does have any assets left,
0:36:22 > 0:36:23Alan can't take them.
0:36:23 > 0:36:24We'll leave now.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28There's nothing else I can do if your guy's coming up today.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Bye-bye, now. Bye.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32And with that, he's on his way.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36I'm sorry to meet you under such difficult circumstances.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38- Good luck for the future. - Thank you very much.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40Any money or goods left in the company
0:36:40 > 0:36:42will now have to be split amongst the creditors,
0:36:42 > 0:36:46and although it's not uncommon for sheriffs to come across debtors
0:36:46 > 0:36:51who simply can't pay, for Alan, this was uncharted territory.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54That's the first time I've been to a writ of control
0:36:54 > 0:36:57where the liquidators have been in the night before.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59I empathise with them. They've all lost their positions.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02The claimant now will probably have to go through
0:37:02 > 0:37:04the administrators to find out
0:37:04 > 0:37:06how they could get their money back, or part of it,
0:37:06 > 0:37:08but we can only do what we can do,
0:37:08 > 0:37:11and there's unfortunately no money to collect today.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22Back in a soggy London,
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Sheriff Ken Warby is fighting his way
0:37:24 > 0:37:27through the afternoon traffic.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30He's heading to a business called Daler Kitchens Limited.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33They owe money to a customer who bought their units
0:37:33 > 0:37:35but wasn't happy with the result.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37He complained to the debtor.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39The debtor went round,
0:37:39 > 0:37:42took away the units, I believe,
0:37:42 > 0:37:47and the claimant has still paid for most of the kitchen
0:37:47 > 0:37:48and the shower unit.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52The customer made a claim against Daler Kitchens Limited
0:37:52 > 0:37:53in the County Court,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56and after hearing evidence from both parties,
0:37:56 > 0:38:00a judge ordered the company to pay him back.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03But nearly three months later, they still haven't,
0:38:03 > 0:38:08so it's down to Ken to try to collect nearly £11,000.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10Well, kitchen places can vary.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Sometimes, you can have a lot of really expensive
0:38:13 > 0:38:16appliance equipment in the showrooms.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Other times, it could be a small office,
0:38:19 > 0:38:20loads of catalogues,
0:38:20 > 0:38:24small amount of office equipment, so you can never tell.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28Here we are. Daler Kitchens and Bedrooms.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30That's it.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Writ in hand, Ken heads inside.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41- Hello.- Hello. - Daler Kitchens Limited?- Yeah.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- Are you the person in charge?- No.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47Well, my name's Mr Warby.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50The woman in the shop is just a junior member of staff.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52She gets the manager on the phone
0:38:52 > 0:38:55and Ken explains the purpose of his visit.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Hello. Yeah, it's Mr Warby speaking.
0:38:58 > 0:39:03I'm here regarding a writ of control against Daler Kitchens Limited.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Is that your company, sir?
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Daler Kitchens Limited.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10You've got the name over your shop front.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- 10,900...- Ken explains that he's here to collect
0:39:13 > 0:39:16nearly £11,000 including costs,
0:39:16 > 0:39:20and that he won't be leaving empty-handed.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24We're here to collect in full or remove goods.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28It's in your solicitor's hands?
0:39:28 > 0:39:31You might want to get your solicitor to give me a call.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34The man says he's applying to appeal the court's decision,
0:39:34 > 0:39:38but that's not going to stop Ken from collecting today.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40See, if he's applied to get the judgment set aside,
0:39:40 > 0:39:44that does not supersede the High Court writ of control
0:39:44 > 0:39:45which we have on us at the moment.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50What I'm here asking for is the full amount.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53This hasn't been stopped because I'm here with a writ of control
0:39:53 > 0:39:55from the High Court.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58So, let me speak to your solicitor.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01In the meantime, I'll be getting on with my inventory.
0:40:01 > 0:40:02Bye-bye.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05He clearly doesn't want to pay,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08so Ken begins making a list of the assets in the building.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11Although there are a fair amount here,
0:40:11 > 0:40:15it's not the kind of stuff which will fetch much money at auction.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19Nevertheless, if the manager doesn't change his tune,
0:40:19 > 0:40:22then Ken will have no choice but to remove it.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26Meanwhile, the shop assistant gives their side of the story.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30This is the customer house where we did the work.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32At that time, everything was OK.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36But after the work was done, everything was completed,
0:40:36 > 0:40:37then they shouted,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40"This is very expensive. There is this..."
0:40:40 > 0:40:42But I don't know what's the problem to the customer.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47But as this dispute has already been heard in court,
0:40:47 > 0:40:50the details of the case are of no interest to the sheriffs.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53A judge has ruled in favour of the customer,
0:40:53 > 0:40:56and when Daler Kitchens' solicitor soon calls,
0:40:56 > 0:40:59it's Ken that's giving him a lesson in the law.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03We've got a stamped - in the High Court - writ of control,
0:41:03 > 0:41:05so, unfortunately for your client,
0:41:05 > 0:41:09this kind of trumps any application that might have been made thus far.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13The solicitor wants more time,
0:41:13 > 0:41:16but Ken thinks they've had long enough already.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19I can't give these people any time.
0:41:19 > 0:41:24A notice of enforcement was sent to this address
0:41:24 > 0:41:28and it's gone unanswered, and that's why we're here now.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30But with the goods in the shop not worth much to Ken,
0:41:30 > 0:41:32he offers a deal.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36Providing they pay the balance within 14 days,
0:41:36 > 0:41:41I would be willing to get a signed controlled goods agreement,
0:41:41 > 0:41:44but I am going to need at least 50% of this debt paid now.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51We're talking £5,500.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56The solicitor agrees to put the offer to the shop's owner.
0:41:56 > 0:41:57If he doesn't accept the deal,
0:41:57 > 0:42:01then Ken's next call will be to the removals company.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03He's still waiting to hear back
0:42:03 > 0:42:05when another woman involved in the business
0:42:05 > 0:42:07arrives at the scene and takes over.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10She asks our camera to leave,
0:42:10 > 0:42:14while Ken stays inside to try to get her to pay at least half
0:42:14 > 0:42:15of the 11 grand owed.
0:42:17 > 0:42:2045 minutes later, he's on his way.
0:42:22 > 0:42:23See you later.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30So, how's he got on?
0:42:30 > 0:42:34I told the lady in there that we will be removing goods
0:42:34 > 0:42:38if I don't get paid half the amount outstanding.
0:42:38 > 0:42:43After much deliberation, they have now paid me £1,000 in cash
0:42:43 > 0:42:49and £4,500 by card and signed a controlled goods agreement
0:42:49 > 0:42:51to pay the balance within 14 days.
0:42:51 > 0:42:56The total goods in there would fetch, I would imagine,
0:42:56 > 0:43:01less than £2,000, so that is a good result.
0:43:02 > 0:43:07Daler Kitchens Limited later paid the other £5,500
0:43:07 > 0:43:09and the customer who'd been refused a refund
0:43:09 > 0:43:11finally got their money back.