do i just let them take everything

flexeh

Hi guys, im in a financial mess and need some advice, im now currently 22 and lived on my own since 16, firstly in supported living, then into my own place, when i got work i didnt prioritise my bills and now ive been unemployed for 2 years due tounforseen circumstances, so i live off benefits which is frustrating.

basically i owe money all over the place, ive got a standing order for 15 pound a fornight to dudley council for rent arrears, 15 quid a fornight to westcott credit services and 10 quid a fornight to bristow and sutor foir council tax arrears, i have more debts than this tho, i currenly pay 20 a fornight to scottish power, and get left with approx 20 quid to live off a fornight n out of that i cant afford water ibll, tv licesence etc.

basically let me explain the situation, ive been staying with my gran for 2 months due to her health detoriating. and friday 22nd august i had a phone call from a gy who said he was a bayliff for bristow and sutor and he was gonna put my door in, then told me it would be 200 for new locks and door, they will take items, and for every 30 mins in there it costs 50 quid, and also storage for 5 days of my items would come to 200 quid. ontop of my 580 pound council tax bill. i pleaded with him to givce me some time to contact the company etc and i would ring him back, i found out from the company 2 standing order payments had not come out my account, so 2 payments of 10 quid had not come out and therefore they cancelled the agreement, i had my items valued before and the valuer even saw nothing worth anything

i phoned him back n told him im on my way to mine as id rather just let him in than the door being put through.

at this point let me just list what ive got and approx price they worth.

3 piece sofa, brought 4 years ago from a charity shop for 100 quid, probs get 30 quid max for it, a 65 pound second hand fridge roughly 25 quid max,
a metal sofa bed, had 7 years roughly 30 quid max, chester draws approx 10quid, a 2nd hand didning table n chairs 40 quid max. 2 tv's very old with the badges fell off with old remotes with backs missing, approx 10 quid each, and thats it.

i explained on the phone to him i havent got anything worth anything, but they just mean something to me. but told him im on my way back, i had a taxi to rush back so my door didnt get put through, and when i got there he wasnt there, i phoned him and he said he had moved to the next house n will be back, by 5:15 i phoned again and he said the next job given him trouble and he wont be back till tuesday, so this tuesday hes coming to mine, what shall i do? hes said if i can pay off the debt or half they maybe we can sort somehting out, but i cant ive got no money to save to even pay. and by tuesday im going to be in the same situation, due to bank holiday weekend im not even going to have chance to telephone around to get advice and help. so do i just open the door n let him in? do i just put all my things outside my property to prevent 50 quid for every 30 mins they inside my place, please help me guys if anyone knows what to do i would love to hear it.

i aint got no family to help me at all, my nans a OAP n only gets pension, and i was in foster care so no real family now, i cant even afford new clothes, ive got 3 pairs of trousers 2 jeans one 3 quarter lengh, 1 pair of jeans had more threat to sew them up than a hospital full of people needing stiches. n only have 4 tops, so its not as if i can endulge myself at all.

please advise
thankyou steve

devonsdreamer

Hi there- so sorry to hear all you are dealing with at the moment- afraid I dont know what to say but sure someone with better knowledge than me will be along soon. didnt want to read and run. Have you tried contacting national debtline or CCCS they are who I spoke with when I was having problem.

flexeh

i didnt even know about the bayliff i didnt see the letter cuz of staying at my grans, n by the time i left my place friday everywheres been shut, and only tuesday everywhere will open again. the day hes coming for me! so i wont be able to get intouch with the national debt line

beanielou

Just wanted to say hi & welcome.
Sorry that things are tough for you at the mo.
One of the debt charities mentioned by dd could offer you help.

Deep_In_Debt

Hi
Firstly welcome.

Secondly, have you received any court information for the bailiffs to attend? I'm no expert on this but from what I have read on this forum, bailiffs can only attend if you have defaulted on a court order.

Have these "nasty thugs" been into your house? If not, do not let them in, keep all windows and doors closed.

It sounds to me like they are using their threats to make you pay up. As I say, I am no expert, but please do phone National Debtline, CAB or CCCS who are free and impartial.

Hopefully someone with more knowlegde will be along soon.

Good luck and do keep posting.

PS Am a bit slow at typing - have a crusty old PC so I expect someone will beat me to it with a response!

kezzae

Hi

Sorry to hear about the terrible time your having at the moment.
Im no expert in things like this but you are definately in the right place and some of the peeps with more experience will be here shortly. I am a newbie to these boards myself and have found all the advice given very helpful.
You say that you are living with your Gran at the moment, could you stay for the time being until you get your financial situation sorted then you'll have no rent to pay, you'll still have the arrears to clear mind. Just a thought, It might be helpful if you post an SOA and some of the more experienced members can help you more.

kezzae

sorry just re read through my previous post and when i mentioned about not paying rent on the flat, I meant by giving it up, not to stop paying your rent whilst you're living with your gran. ss.

Deep_In_Debt

Sorry to ask this and you don't have to answer..but why are you still paying rent if you are living with your Gran?

kezzae

Hi me again lol

Just a thought if you are unemployed Im sure you should be getting housing benefit to pay your rent and Council tax benefit......
Can you post and SOA ( a list of all your monthly outgoings debts etc ) then the more experienced members can have a look and point you in the right direction.

RichOneday_2

In general terms no one can break in to your home to seize goods, there is an odd exception but they would still have to advise you in writing in adavnce.

First question is - who is this guy? Is he a private bailiff appointed by the council to collect rent/council tax arrears or is he a court bailiff?

If the former he can only break in to your property if he has previously obtained 'peaceful entry' and obtained 'walking possession'. Peaceful entry means you let him in or he gained access through an unlocked window/door. Walking possession is a list of your goods he intends to take at a later date if the debt hasn't been settled. It must be signed by you.

Now there is a possibility of unscrupulous behaviour here whereby he may gain access with the help of a locksmith and retrospectively complete a walking possession and get a signature from you through pressure tactics. Therefore, it is important that you know this is highly illegal and you are within your rights to ring the police and have him arrested if such a situation arose. It won't, so don't worry, but the remote possibility exists and knowing your rights is half of the battle.

If it is a court bailiff they have more powers but are much less likely to use them because they are salaried employees not commission hungry collectors.

In any case nobody can threaten you on the phone and then break into your house. It is simply illegal just like any other break-in.

RichOneday_2

As an addition to the previous post - whatever you do under no circumstances let him in on Tuesday. Tell him you can't pay but explain what has happened with the DD and that you are reinstating it with the company.

He won't be happy because he won't earn any commission from that, but thats not your problem.

Ring CCCS first thing Tuesday morning and they will confirm this course of action.

Good luck and don't worry(if thats possible)