Debt collection scenarios
Some debts crop up again and again. Here's how to handle the ones we're asked about most — with the real-world quirks that make each one different.
Construction debts
House builders, carpenters, electricians, decorators, landscapers, plumbers — this one sends a chill down every tradesperson's spine. Everybody seems to run into it.
You do the work, you invoice, and then the excuses start: "the job's not finished", "the quality wasn't right", "cashflow's tight this month". Sometimes it's genuine. Often it's a stalling tactic in the hope you'll give up.
How to get paid
- Keep everything in writing — quotes, variations, sign-offs and photos of completed work
- Send the polite 7-day reminder, then the firmer 7-day warning
- Check whether it's a limited company or a sole trader — it changes who you chase
- For business customers, quote the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act
Dodgy car dealer debts
You buy a car, it breaks down within a month — sometimes on the drive home — and suddenly there's a dispute over whether it was "sold as seen".
These drag on because both sides dig in. But your rights depend heavily on who you bought from and how, and dealers know most buyers won't push. That's where a confident, well-worded approach pays off.
Where you stand
- Buying from a trader gives you far stronger consumer rights than a private sale
- "Sold as seen" does not override your statutory rights against a business seller
- Gather the advert, the receipt, and any messages about the car's condition
- Put your complaint and desired resolution in writing, with a clear deadline
Landlords v tenants
Without a shadow of a doubt, landlords chasing tenants is the most common debt we're asked about — a never-ending saga.
Unpaid rent, damage beyond the deposit, a tenant who's moved on without a forwarding address. It's stressful, and the rules around housing make it feel like a minefield. It doesn't have to be.
Recovering what you're owed
- Separate the arrears/damage debt from any possession process — they're different tracks
- Trace a former tenant via Companies House, the electoral roll and social media
- Run a CCJ and asset check before deciding whether to pursue through court
- Keep the deposit scheme paperwork and a full inventory to hand
Your situation not listed here?
In 30 years I've seen most of them. Tell me what's happened and I'll give you a straight, practical steer.