Can you obtain a criminal record report on someone else?

[Caro]

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd ask this forum, as it continually astounds me, the range of expertise on her, and the generosity of people to share their knowledge!

We may be about to enter into a contractual agreement with a limited company. Without going into details, there is only one director and I've never heard of him, and the company was only set up this year. I've googled him, and come up with almost nothing, just a locked Bebo profile.

I do have his home address.

Am I able to apply to some agency and request whether this guy has a criminal record? I gather I can ask him to obtain a report on himself, but I don't think I want to go down that route yet.

Thanks everyone,

[WrexTheDragon]

Do a check with company house.

[di]

Sorry...my reply is'nt a professional one but just wondered why you don't want to ask him to obtain one for you?
Maybe I'm out of touch but I'd have thought the direct approach better than going behind his back....I know which I'd prefer if I were him.
We're in a day and age where people are naturally suspecting of others and I would have thought that if he has nothing to hide then he'd be more than happy to comply.

[Glutton4...]

I was always under the impression that a Limited Company had to have a minimum of two Directors. If he is a Sole Trader, he cannot be a Limited Company. But rules may have changed, or I may be talking twaddle.

Also, I'm with Di. Ask him, straight. Keep it open and above board from the start.

[piskieinboots]

I agree with WTD that Companies House is your first port of call as he is a Director of a Limited Co he is have to submit reports.

I have to go to ACPO for people wishing to migrate to Oz, although they give me their permission - but it's worth looking deeper in here

[Two_Sheds]

I was always under the impression that a Limited Company had to have a minimum of two Directors.

No, the minimum is one.

No help to you Caro, but I used to work for a solicitor's firm and we specialised in prosecuting norty company directors who did things like spent all the company money on holidays & cars instead of paying their tax

Companies House lists them all (Mr TS is on there, but I'm not telling which one he is)

[Caro]

Companies House lists them all (Mr TS is on there, but I'm not telling which one he is)

Norty Mr TS!

I've alread searched Companies House, which is how I found out who the director was, but I'd never thought for searching on there for disqualified directors - useful info!

Basically, we may be buying a property which has this company in place as a tenant. Something smells very fishy to me, and I want to do some digging, but I'm reluctant to come out into the open about it - yet, anyway. Part of it may be my inherent mistrust of the licensed trade, as this is a nightclub, and you hear such rumours (up here anyway) about the thugs running these businesses. Also, I thought the tenant was the guy I met, then it turns out to be this recently formed company with £100 share capital and 1 director, who is distinctly difficult to find on Google. It gives me some concerns; I want to buy the place as an investment, but I want to know who my tenant would be!

And Glutton4, yes the rules have changed; you can now have 1 director and no secretary.

[Glutton4...]

... Glutton4, yes the rules have changed; you can now have 1 director and no secretary.

See, I was talking twaddle! But, you learn sommat new every day.

[Madasafish]

Also, I thought the tenant was the guy I met, then it turns out to be this recently formed company with £100 share capital and 1 director, who is distinctly difficult to find on Google. !

Classic way of hiding the identity of the shareholders in the company - who may be the real "shadow" directors as far as actual policy concerned.

A £100 company as a tenant? No thanks...

If you want to make really sure, check the tenancy agreement does not allow the tenant to transfer the contract to another person or company without the owner's agreement..

In fact, I am sure I am teaching you to suck eggs.. but any tenancy agreement needs review by a legal expert ...


Edit: been there, seen it.. If it smells wrong..

And if you were deliberatley left with a "wrong impression about who was the owner", that would get me very worried...

[Two_Sheds]

Something smells very fishy to me

Then it probably is. Trust your gut instinct.

[zazen999]

Then it probably is. Trust your gut instinct.

Exactly - I have been there and didn't trust a 'partner' company and by golly, they were scammers......I KNEW but had no proof. Never again.

Try googling his name and names similar....with words like 'scam' in the search and see what that pulls up.

[Bagpuss]

Hi. You can do various searches, but I'm not sure that you can do a criminal record search unless you are engaging person to interact with children. Companies house will tell you about dissolved companies the chap has been involved with and should also tell you whether he has been disqualified. Depending on the accounting date and any exemptions, you could also get your hands on the company's account.

The insolvency service website will allow you to do a bankruptcy search on the individual and any known alter egos (although he shouldn't be a director if is he currently bankrupt)

Search here Search the Individual Insolvency Register it's free. Select all courts.

You can also telephone the general helpline number for companies house and ask whether any petitions (winding up petitions) have been presented against the company - if there are this would indicate that the company is financially unstable.

There are Private Investigators that you can employ, although they are expensive.

Linked in is a good source of background information too, and you can also get details of ownership of the property (and any leases) from HM Land Registry for a small fee
Land Registry : We underpin the title to registered land in England and Wales and hold records for land ownership and interests.

Hope some of the ramblings are of use

BP

[zebedee]

If they are that secretive, I would be very wary of entering into any kind of deal or partnership. It might sound a little 'perfect' but if people are open and honest, your own level of confidence in the issue is bound to be high. To me, if any says 'come into partnership with me, but I'm not going to tell you anything about me' is inviting a straight no.

[jojo2910]

Would a CRB check be possible (criminal records bereau)? I had to do one when I started my present job, but not sure if it is possible to take them out on other people. Plus I had to complete information, so it couldn't be done secretly.

[Caro]

Bagpuss, great call about the Insovency Register -I didn't know it was available and I'll be able to make great use of that in the future (unless it's England and Wales only???). Unfortunately it's down until the 19th, but I'll look then.

Jojo, I think with CRBs you can get one on yourself, but can't obtain them for other people.

Everyone, thanks again for your info and insights, all useful stuff.