Idenitfying the Responsible person

[PPCR]

Dear All
I would be interested to know what methods you use to identify the "Responsible Person", where people are being evasive or English is not understood well.
Thanks, PPCR

[Owain]

Just print up a sheet of paper headed Benefit Claim Form and they'll understand that all right.

[wee brian]

Oh do behave!

Why do you need to know?

[Midland Retty]

Hi PPCR

There are a few things you could try. Depends on what type of premises / people you are dealing with.

As Wee B says it also depends on why you need to know!.

I won't assume you are an enforcement officer, if you have tried the "usual channels" then the following may help. It is information that normally anyone can obtain as a matter of public record. They may help you you pin down an RP.

Speak to the council enquire about whether or not they have anyone listed as paying business rates at the address (might give you a landlord or an employer)
Try a Land registry search, (that may give you an owner / landlord)
Do a company director search (if you are dealing with an employer)
Get a translator if the people you are dealing with can't speak english fluently. (Are they being obstructive or could it be they genuinely don't understand?.)

There are other things but would need some more details PPCR to give you a better / more accurate response.

[Dinnertime Dave]

Tend to use the ways Midland has identified simple search a companies house or pay your pound to get a little more information.

If your an IO and the person is being just being evasive your could write asking for the infomation. most brigades have a standard letter pointing out your powers and request for the information.

[PPCR]

Hi Guys

When we have used the usual methods such as Liability certificates, Companies house etc, We use Experian to track people down, this is good if the search is done correctly, but can become expensive. I was looking for some best practice or lateral thinking, (Sometimes the simplist methods are not the most obvious!).

Thanks for your help to date.

[Mike Buckley]

You could always try phoning them up and ask to speak to the person in charge without disclosing your identity, try being a mobile phone salesman. I would think this would be OK provided you only use it to get the identity of the person in charge.

[nearlythere]

You could always try phoning them up and ask to speak to the person in charge without disclosing your identity, try being a mobile phone salesman. I would think this would be OK provided you only use it to get the identity of the person in charge.

Don't think that would work Mike. Whenever a cold caller rings me looking for the person in charge I tell them to sod off (or words to that effect if there are no children present.)
What about the Rating Office?

[Mike Buckley]

Yes, I agree you might be told to sod off, but quite often you can get a name before being told to sod off!

[Dinnertime Dave]

You could always try phoning them up and ask to speak to the person in charge without disclosing your identity, try being a mobile phone salesman. I would think this would be OK provided you only use it to get the identity of the person in charge.

Mike you will be advocating inspecting officers wearing civvies and wondering around undercover next. Any evidence you gather will be inadmissible.     

[lingmoor]

Just print up a sheet of paper headed Benefit Claim Form and they'll understand that all right.

nobhead