Bailiffs to be allowed to use force on debtors.

Renfro

This is a worrying development.

Last year I had bailiffs at my door threatening to take my possessions. They were incredibly aggressive, but I live in a flat, so fortunately the whole affair was conducted over an intercom rather than face to face. They did not manage to get into the communal hallway (so they were unable to get to my flat door) and eventually, ages later after them making countless threats and relentlessly buzzing and shouting on the intercom, they went away (but only after I said I was going to call the police).

What I found astonishing is that the person that the bailiffs were pursuing was some woman who had rented the flat from the previous owners before it was sold to me, and she had not lived at this address for more than 3 years. I only recognised her name because when I first moved here I used to forward letters for her to the letting agency that rented her the flat. But no matter how many times I told the bailiffs this, they just wouldn't listen. They were insinuating that I might be her boyfriend or something, and that I was trying to protect her, when in fact I had never even clapped eyes on the woman.

Had these latest powers been in force at the time, then they could have kicked the door down, broken into my flat, pinned me down while taking my stuff when the debt that they were seeking to recover was nothing whatsoever to do with me. Despite me repeatedly telling them this, they either did not believe me, or just didn't care.

I have never defaulted on any debt in my life.

You'd think they'd check "minor details" such as the fact that they've got the correct person or address before getting all heavy handed and threatening.

brightonman123

these are PROPOSED laws, which I hope get short shrift by the appropriate committees / in the Lords etc.

btw, wouldnt breaking in etc be a direct breach of the human rights act (right to privacy and enjoyment of your home..?) -

i could see someine inside defending themselves with appropriate force, if felt in fear fore their lives.. (remember that farmer that was eventually cleared of shooting an intruder?)

MissMoneypenny

Generali wrote: »

So under the new rules the bank could send someone round to beat the poo out of you and then take all your belongings that were bought with an unsecured loan.

Only if you keep defaulting on your loan repayments.

I wonder if the government are going to alter the bankruptcy laws too?

neverdespairgirl

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

Only if you keep defaulting on your loan repayments.

Or if they have mixed you up with someone who has, or someone who used to live in your house.

epz_2

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

Only if you keep defaulting on your loan repayments.

obviously not, theres only been 22 posts and already 2 people have already posted about baliffs harassing them that have nothing to do with the debt.

I would hope they at lease make it a criminal offence if they do steal the wrong persons stuff and bar that person from being a baliff.

MissMoneypenny

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

Or if they have mixed you up with someone who has, or someone who used to live in your house.

That will give more work to the solicitors.

MissMoneypenny

epz wrote: »

I would hope they at lease make it a criminal offence if they do steal the wrong persons stuff and bar that person from being a baliff.

That's what they need to do, but I doubt they will do it.

bubblesmoney

guess people might buy crow bars for their gardens but instead use it to pick the nuts off any bailiff who broke in as they feared for theirs and familys life from people "impersonating" bailiffs and trying to burgle places. probably they might have a reasonable defence in using the crowbar to protect themselves

irish_eyes_r_smiling

another pile of bobbins from these bunch of muppets!!:mad:

like a previous poster said, these MP's are no way in touch with society.

they scare the !!!! out of me this lot (government, not bailiffs:rolleyes: ) seems as though their's a new stupid proposal everyday of the week!!!

Cat695

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

How many ex-wives do you have?

2....your not a man till you've at least had two ex wives.....I guess I'm not the marrying type...ooops...And I would like to point out I left the first one!

But I can help anyone through a divorce WITHOUT the use of a solicitor...I'm getting good at it now;)

I would also like to point out I use to put my Job before anything else...and paid the price