Limited company accounts

[Baldhead]

I am having a few issues with a Limited Company, (nothing woodwork related) and I have asked certain questions which the Managing Director has given vague answers. I was once told that the accounts have to be spot on for companies house, just how 'spot on' do they need to be? for example if I asked, "exactly what date were the locks changed?" And the reply was, "I don't know and outside contractor did that" would the company accounts be able to show that exact date?
I can't explain any more as this could well land up in court.

TIA

Baldhead

 

[marcros]

not the published ones. They would never get down to that level of detail.

Your example is confusing- why would accounts show that locks were changed? I assume that you mean when was the company invoiced for the work.

 

[bugbear]

Small companies can file abbreviated accounts.

BugBear

 

[Baldhead]

not the published ones. They would never get down to that level of detail.

Your example is confusing- why would accounts show that locks were changed? I assume that you mean when was the company invoiced for the work.

Our letting agent has changed the locks on one of our properties and allowed a third party to use that property without our knowledge and without a tenancy agreement, we have asked him when did he change the locks, he had said he can't remember the date, as it was done by an outside contractor.
I just wondered if his accounts would show when this was done.
We have asked several questions all his answers are vague, he has admitted he was wrong but wants us to accept a stupid offer.
I don't want to say any more as this may end up in a small claims court, (money claim online) I have done this before and don't really want to do it again but if I have to I will.

Baldhead

 

[Graham Orm]

If it's a pivotal point you could ask the court to force him to divulge the invoice, but you will only be able to see the shape the company is in from the accounts at Companies House, not how they were constructed.
Of course if he has wind of you pressing to see the invoice he will fudge one that is in his favour.

 

[marcros]

In a word, no. Did they not invoice you for the lock?

They could find out easily enough but the info won't be published or publicly available.

 

[Hivenhoe]

Don't suppose he can remember the contractor he employed either?
There may be a diary entry, there should be an invoice unless he paid cash, which takes you down another route.
Can you put in a claim against the 3rd party, if only to jog their memory, assuming they're traceable?

 

[Baldhead]

Thanks guys, the only reason I want to know when the lock was changed is so I can work out what I have lost in income and bills I have paid covering that period, he has admitted he was wrong and made an offer, which to be honest, is nowhere near what I have lost.
There are other issues and the police are involved, so I have to be careful what I say.
I'm seeing the officer who is handle the other issues tomorrow as other things have come to light.

Baldhead

 

[Mike.S]

It may be worthwhile to base your claim from a date that you know was on/before the locks were changed (i.e. maximise your claim) and then leave the letting agent to challenge that with evidence. This switches the onus onto the agent, rather than you.

 

[woodfarmer]

I would sue for lost rent from the time you stopped receiving rent. As he obviously had possession of the property from then. It would as previously been said up to him to prove when the new unauthorised tenant moved in. that tenant could well have been placed there before the locks were changed. As an aside, I routinely change the locks whenever we have a tenancy change. for both mine and the new tenants peace of mind. You have no idea how many spare sets of keys may be out there for old locks.

 

[Mark Hancock]

not the published ones. They would never get down to that level of detail.

Your example is confusing- why would accounts show that locks were changed? I assume that you mean when was the company invoiced for the work.

Our letting agent has changed the locks on one of our properties and allowed a third party to use that property without our knowledge and without a tenancy agreement, we have asked him when did he change the locks, he had said he can't remember the date, as it was done by an outside contractor.
I just wondered if his accounts would show when this was done.
We have asked several questions all his answers are vague, he has admitted he was wrong but wants us to accept a stupid offer.
I don't want to say any more as this may end up in a small claims court, (money claim online) I have done this before and don't really want to do it again but if I have to I will.

Baldhead

His published accounts won't but if you go down the County Court route and obtain a judgement one of the available remedies is interrogation before a judge (use to be called oral examination) where full disclosure of all financial matters can be made. From what you have said everything is in your favour so you could use the threat of court action and his breach of the agency contract with you to force the issue. I know it's always good to be as informed as possible when taking action against someone but as MikeS has said put the onus on the agent and make him stew.