baileffs calling for someone that lived in our house - help please!!!

Ian_Griffiths_Halifax

Incisor wrote: »

(3) A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him.

IMO the 'without reasonable excuse', provides the get out and makes it acceptable to open the mail if somebody thinks their health (Nerves! Stress!) or possessions are at risk.

Imp

uk_steve wrote: »

Sorry to sound thick here maybe:rolleyes:
Even if you let them in if you are not the person they are looking for? then they can not remove items without the person being there in the 1st place.

if you bought the house? even stronger case they cant do it surly as well because of mortgage letters,legal letters etc

Please see the link below.

http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/debt_basics/bailiff-guide.php

Bailiffs have incredible powers once they have entered your house. You don't have to be there for them to enter, and if you don't prove you are not the debtor, just check out the link to see what they can do.

As per my previous post, if you are not he debtor, you need to get in touch with them NOW and prove this.

If you don't, then they will be acting as if you are the debtor, because that is what they think.

uk_steve

Imp wrote: »

Please see the link below.

http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/debt_basics/bailiff-guide.php

Bailiffs have incredible powers once they have entered your house. You don't have to be there for them to enter, and if you don't prove you are not the debtor, just check out the link to see what they can do.

As per my previous post, if you are not he debtor, you need to get in touch with them NOW and prove this.

If you don't, then they will be acting as if you are the debtor, because that is what they think.

yeah leave them outside then (sounds a nightmare once in)

but it does say this *A bailiff must only seize goods that belong to the person who owes the money* but later on says they will/may take goods :mad:

seems no rules once in the property, good info on that page;)

mishmash

I had a similar issue when I first moved into my house (over 12 years ago now).

Lots of letters that were clearly chasing debt. I eventually got a knock on the door from 2 rather menacing looking men. I just explained to them who I was, they asked if I had any ID and told me to close the door to them, while I went to get it (which I did).

They turned from menacing into !!!!! cats. They apologised for scaring me and told me not to open the door again to strange men and to get a chain lock fitted. I never had any more problems.

Mish

I cannot believe that the swear stopper on here changed that, that was intended in all innocence, maybe I should have said kittens!

hethmar

Well exactly, I mean you wouldnt let 2 strange blokes into the house anyway would you. I just closed the door on them when I went to get some identity and they were very apologetic - I told them to go down to the estate agents where we bought the house and may be they could help them with forwarding address of the previous people. As people have said, these bailiffs are normally chosen for their intimidating size but in actual fact they are just normal blokes who are quite polite and protective, especially if you are a woman alone when they call. I expect they have to be over cautious in case a real target screams assault or something.

manchestermike_2

Imp wrote: »

DO NOT LET THE BAILIFFS INSIDE YOUR HOUSE.

Once inside they are permitted to break into any locked cupboard/door to find items of value.

They are permitted to return to your house and break in to retrieve the items of value.

They can climb in through an open window or walk in through an unlocked door and have the same rights.

They are not allowed to use force to get in the first time, but once they have been inside they are permitted to force their way in in the future.

They sometimes try and trick people into letting them in, ask to use the toilet, jar the door open with their feet.

Get in touch with them by telephone and letter and make sure they know you are not the debtor NOW.

Keep proof of your identity and ownership of the house (copy of deeds/tenancy) near the door so you can prove ownership if they do turn up. If they do turn up, lock the door and get his information. DO NOT LET THEM INTO YOUR HOUSE.

Jesus! I'd answer the door with a baseball bat in hand! :eek:

Incisor

mishmash wrote: »

... They turned from menacing into PUSSY cats. They apologised for scaring me and told me not to open the door again to strange men and to get a chain lock fitted. I never had any more problems.

Mish

I cannot believe that the swear stopper on here changed that, that was intended in all innocence, maybe I should have said kittens!

It annoys me too that you cannot use such an everyday word innocently and without connotation, that I have fixed it for you.

allthingsmustpass

I've had this issue also. Apparently MOST of their calls are made to residences where the debtor no longer lives there. They have usually done a runner or have just used a fake address and were never there in the first place. It will come as no suprise if you tell them you are not the person they are looking for. In my case I was asked for my name and the name of the letting agent I was renting through, presumably they then go to the letting agent to confirm.

I investigated their powers when this was happening and would echo what others have said about letting them in. Don't do it. But don't fear them either. They're half expecting you not to be the person they're looking for.

Also even if you do think they can't take your belongings because the debt is nothing to do with you, you are relying on the bailiff to also have that opinion, and they might not! Better to keep them outside the property than try protesting with 'excuse me! thats not technically correct!' as the tattood ex-con removes your belongings. Right or wrong, it's going to be more of a pain for you to get your stuff back, easier just to keep them out.

Another point to remember - if you are getting these letters make sure when you leave the property it is secure. Don't leave a door unlocked or that can be opened easily with a bit of a shove. And make sure windows are closed. They will look for ways to enter that won't constitute 'forced entry' if you aren't there. And if they get in they may take your stuff if they find items of suitable value. You can argue the toss about how technically correct this is, but again its the bailiffs opinion that will matter at the time and you'll be left with the headache of getting your belongings back.

scousethife

I knew someone would start dribbling on about its illegal to open someones mail.. NO ONE EVER GETS DONE FOR IT. Its just something for hysterical daily mail readers to worry about!

Grow up.

olly300

scousethife wrote: »

I knew someone would start dribbling on about its illegal to open someones mail.. NO ONE EVER GETS DONE FOR IT. Its just something for hysterical daily mail readers to worry about!

Grow up.

It's because people don't know the law nothing to do with Daily Mail readers.

Also lots of people in this country don't realise most laws are written so they can be used in lots of situations.