CapQuest - www.capquest.co.uk

Never did I think that I would ever have to deal with a debt collection agency. But, the housing association disposing of the property in which I had lived for nine years, due to extensive (and expensive) repairs being required; meant that all tenants were issued with an eviction notice. I left on the date stated in the letter and moved to a bigger and much more expensive property, leaving my keys in the kitchen. Seven months later, a letter from Capquest dropped on my doormat, demanding over £3000 in 'back rent on behalf of their client'. Of course, I contacted the housing association and expressed confusion as to why they would consider that I owe them rent for a property that I hadn't lived in for several months. The housing officer was incredibly curt and unhelpful. Luckily for me, the lady at The Citizen's Advice Bureau was less obstructive. I should have handed the keys in personally and ensured that I had a written receipt for them. So, strictly (and legally) speaking, the tenancy had never ended. It was at this point that the ominous and somewhat threatening telephone calls from Capquest began. Calling just when I had arrived home from work, they insisted that I agree to a 'repayment plan' and commence it as soon as possible. Of course, I maintained that I owed them nothing and refused to discuss it with them whilst continuing to attempt to make the housing association see reason. Capquest had captured my mobile number from one of my calls and began to harass me during the day, in addition to the evening. I wrote to them, requesting that they contact me only by letter. Less than a week later, a Capquest 'supervisor' called me at home. Gruff, confident and aggressive; he insisted that it "was about time that I opened a dialogue with them and started paying the money that I owed to them". He told me that I "owe the money and wouldn't be able to avoid paying them". He threatened me with court action. Disgusted at his bullying tactics, I reminded him of my letter, requesting that I only be contacted by letter, informed him that I would be reporting Capquest to the Financial Ombudsman and told him that I was hanging up. The matter was resolved shortly after this with the housing association directly. I gave a lengthy interview to the Financial Ombudsman, who were very interested in my comments. They said that almost all of the calls that they recieved about Capquest were from people who owed money and were seeking to evade having to pay it back. I was rare. Someone who didn't owe a penny and didn't have an axe to grind against Capquest. They were especially concerned about Capquest telling me that it was my responsibility to prove that I didn't owe the money. It is, in fact, the direct opposite. Also, their complete disregard of my instructions of how I was to be contacted. I recieved a letter from Capquest the following week, again demanding that I set up a payment plan. They refused to believe that I had already resolved the matter with the housing association. I suggested that they contact 'their client', who would confirm this. Capquest refused, demanding that I 'send them proof'. After faxing a copy of the letter confirming that the matter was closed, I recieved a letter from Capquest confirming that I would not be contacted again. In short, Capquest employ immoral and dishonest tactics! intending to pressure people into agreeing to a repayment plan that could very well be beyond them. I strongly recommend anyone having to deal with them to agree to NOTHING until they have sought professional advice. Someone who is more vulnerable than I would have found the pressurising calls from Capquest very distressing. Something that I am positive was intentional.