Bailiffs - Oh Ow!

alexx

alexx

alexx

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18 May 2006
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785
Hey guys, Think I might have done a semi stupid thing, I moved into a house with a couple of mates and totally forgot one of my mates had 30k debt
I just bumped into my friend today and he said bailiffs had been to his (this is where my 30k debt friend used to live)... now I dont really know the laws on these things and read loads of different things but all I know is a meathead will come round one day and I'll need to protect my stuff.. is there any precautions I can take so it all doesnt get mixed up and I'll have to fight to get it back?

obvious things like padlock on my door with a clear sign saying "Alex's Room" might help :D ?? or not!
 
Cohabiting can't be too rare an occurrence. If you feel this may be an issue - call the company and explain the situation. You never know, they might be understanding!
 
Slap your mate for being such a monumental idiot in getting into 30k debt which he can't pay.

Label your stuff with UV ink, if the baliff wants proof it was yours shine the UV light onto it.
 
That's rather judgemental. You have no idea why he has debt or reasons for the bailiff.
 
Morba said:
That's rather judgemental. You have no idea why he has debt or reasons for the bailiff.
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Have to agree with this. Many, many reasons why one might accrue such a debt. Not least of all sudden illness, redundancy, divorce, court costs.....
 
Keep everything of yours worth money in your room, and keep it locked whenever you go out so they can't get into it, job done.
 
Aedus said:
Keep everything of yours worth money in your room, and keep it locked whenever you go out so they can't get into it, job done.
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I would agree with this. As far as I am aware, bailiffs are not allowed to attempt breaking and entering. By isolating your possessions you are making a statement that they are not to be included in any recovery attempt.
 
Once they get in your house thats when the trouble begins, if you keep all doors and windows locked they cannot break in to your house, but if you let them in just once then can do whatever they want to get back in with you there r not....keep everydoor locked and they can't do nothing and will just send the order back to the court.

And also i think i remeber hearing you are allowed to use resonable force to keep them out out of your house, not sure if this is true r not and if you would want to try it :)

Oh and just remebered i watched an episode of beat the baliff couple months back and 2 guys were leaving together and the other guy had to show recipts that the things belonged to him otherwise they were taken aswell :(
 
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are they a random debt collecting agency or are they court appointed ? youve got nothing to worry about unless theyve been given powers by the courts
 
What ever you do don't open the door, not even with chain because once he puts his foot pass the door he has every right to re-enter. Legally they can't brake doors down or use other method to enter through door unless there is court order for entry or if you let him in first. They can enter through open windows. Regarding your items, they could take them away but as long as you prove it's yours there wouldnt be a problem. I wouldn't contact them because they'll use all kinds of Jedi mind trick to get info etc out of you, not worth it. If someone knocks on the door, tell them the person their looking for is not living there any longer, if they persists just say you'll call the police for breach of peace. Again DONT open the door.
 
WaynelleUK09 said:
Once they get in your house thats when the trouble begins, if you keep all doors and windows locked they cannot break in to your house, but if you let them in just once then can do whatever they want to get back in with you there r not....keep everydoor locked and they can't do nothing and will just send the order back to the court.
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How the **** is this legal?
 
taintedlove69 said:
What ever you do don't open the door, not even with chain because once he puts his foot pass the door he has every right to re-enter.
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Not actually true.

You do not have to let a bailiff into your house. A bailiff cannot force their way past you if you answer the door. If all your doors and windows are securely closed they will not be able to gain peaceful entry to your house unless you let them in.

Bailiffs are well aware of their limited powers and may use a variety of different means to gain entry peaceably. They may attempt to walk in as soon as a door is opened. They may ask if they can use your telephone to check if an arrangement is satisfactory with their office. They may simply ask you if you would prefer to discuss matters inside. You do not have to go along with any of these methods.
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However:

Once in the house the bailiff has the right to go into all rooms and can break open any locked door or cupboard inside your house. If the bailiff gains peaceful entry s/he has the right to call again and enter even without your permission, i.e. s/he can break in and remove your goods.
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The solution there, I guess, is to deny them peaceful entry. Some other quotes from that page which may prove useful for the OP:

A bailiff must only seize goods that belong to the person who owes the money, although any goods in the house can be seized for distress or rent. In practice, many bailiffs will attempt to seize any goods of value at a house they visit - it will be up to the individual to prove ownership afterwards. If you have receipts showing someone else bought the goods then you should show the bailiff these.
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Can I hide goods?
It is not unlawful for you to remove goods from your house or hide them before a bailiff visits unless the bailiff is distraining for rent. Remember that a bailiff, having gained peaceful entry, can return at any time and if s/he believes that goods have been removed or hidden prior to their visit, this is likely to happen. For what to do if a bailiff visit is imminent - see below.

What if the bailiff does seize goods that do not belong to me?
If a bailiff seizes goods that are subject to a Hire Purchase agreement, seek advice urgently. Goods on HP do not belong to you until you make the final payment, but there may be circumstances in which they can be seized.

If goods have been seized wrongfully, then the owner of the goods can apply for them to be returned. You will need to get further advice about this.
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Source: http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/debt_basics/bailiff-guide.php
 
I'm sure they can take anything they want. You have to provide a receipt that the item is yours or they will just take everything.
 
a lot of rubbish in here

random debt collecting agencys have no rights whatsoever. they only get away with it because most the time the people they are robbing are scumbag idiots anyway

the only people with any right to come in your home are court appointed bailiffs.

and then for things like council tax im pretty sure they can even break in


direct gov said:
Debt collectors aren't court officials and don't have the same powers as bailiffs. They can't enter your home or seize your possessions. They can only write, phone, or visit your home to talk to you about the debt and how to pay it back.
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