BBC 1 'Repossesed - Upsetting To Say The Least!

lisyloo

The balliffs I saw on the programme were very polite and I'd even go as far as to say sensitive.
One couple were not ready (even though they'd had at least a months notice) and they were allowed to remove their goods after the official time whilst the workman was changing the locks and draining the hot water tank.

All those I saw were acting very reasonably.

Someone has to do these jobs in society. If you have a mortgage (or any other financial product) then you won't want to be paying extra to subsidise these bad debts, so you should be supporting the (reasonable and sensitive) provision for bad debts and that means being in support of those who offer their services in that industry.

ALIBOBSY

On the whole court baliffs are more tightly regulated and liceinced than private baliffs, so they tend to be more proffessional (plus don't forget the ones on the program knew they were being filmed).
There are many incidents where private baliffs will lie and threaten the vunerable to get cash even if they aren't the person on the warrent.

Also the police shouldn't get involved except to say its a civil matter and stand and watch to ensure no violence or breach of the peace happens, yet many times they side with the baliffs.

The whole industry needs more regulation and tighter controls, especially on the exorbatant fees they charge. Some kind of cap would be advisable. Mind you I reckon interest rates should also be capped as well, how can rates over 100% be justified???

ali x

winkydink

I do sympathise with people who have their home repossessed and I know that generally its not down to 'greed or ignorance' as someone put it.

In the last recession, we came SO close to losing our home twice - not due to either of the above reasons, but because our interest rate rocketted to 14% within a few months. We went through the whole liason process with our lender and they were generally very good, but despite this, I can honestly say, it was the worst time of my life. Putting two small children to bed each night and trying to put on a happy face, when inside you are absolutely worried sick, is not a good place to be in. Luckily, we came out of the other side and kept our home. However, I have every sympathy for anyone who is about to lose their home, it really is the most horrific experience, and definitely is NOT always down to stupidity.

dunstonh

In the last recession, we came SO close to losing our home twice - not due to either of the above reasons, but because our interest rate rocketted to 14% within a few months.

That was a key reason for many last time round. This time round though when interest rates are well below the long term average, the reasons are going to be mostly different. There are going to be far more cases than any time before where greed (and ignorance, although I would call it naivety) is the reason.

JayScottGreenspan

lisyloo wrote: »

Someone has to do these jobs in society. If you have a mortgage (or any other financial product) then you won't want to be paying extra to subsidise these bad debts, so you should be supporting the (reasonable and sensitive) provision for bad debts and that means being in support of those who offer their services in that industry.

Without bailiffs you wouldn't get a loan from a bank at all.
Without them there'd be no incentive for borrowers to pay back the loan, and without that incentive there'd be no loans offered.

I don't know any bailiffs, but posters saying 'they' are such and such 'type of person' are wrong. As in all vocations, I'm sure there's a broad mix of good and bad.

Woby_Tide

Phatmouse wrote: »

That poor sausage making woman wants to give he a slap and quick.

the poor sausage making woman who'd only taken a job when they were set to be repossessed rather than getting off her !!!! and finding a job months earlier?

RobertoMoir

RainMaker wrote: »

Agree it doesn't necessarily make them bad people. But you have to be a certain "type" of person to do that job for a living. Certainly not the "type" of person I'd ever want to have as a friend, however desperate.

Go on then. Tell us what type of person bailiffs must be to do the job.

Incidentally, perhaps you can PM me and remind me where we've met, because you've obviously met everyone who is or has been a bailiff in order to make a statement like yours. Unless of course you're talking rubbish. Do let us know which!

RainMaker_2

RobertoMoir wrote: »

Go on then. Tell us what type of person bailiffs must be to do the job.

Incidentally, perhaps you can PM me and remind me where we've met, because you've obviously met everyone who is or has been a bailiff in order to make a statement like yours. Unless of course you're talking rubbish. Do let us know which!

Ok, I'll take the bait.

The type of person that has no qualms in making peoples lives more miserable than they were before they knocked on their door. The type of person to which job satisfaction just doesn't feature. The type of person that accepts receiving and giving verbal and sometimes physical abuse as part of the job. I could go on....but I'm sure you'll get my drift.

Bailiffs are the last line in debt recovery, they are necessary. But that wasn't my point. My point is this - we are all free to choose our friends and given the personality traits necessary to be a Bailiff I wouldn't have one as a friend of mine, however desperate. I don't suppose Robert will lose any sleep over this, and neither will I.

lisyloo

The type of person that has no qualms in making peoples lives more miserable than they were before they knocked on their door.

Although it's certainly bad losing your home.
It is not necessarily the right of the best thing, to allow people to get into more debt.
Have you ever heard the phrase "you have to be cruel to be kind".
In some cases the repossession system actually is the BEST thing for people.
Carrying on into more debt however much they love their home is not always going to be appropriate.

The type of person to which job satisfaction just doesn't feature.

So protecting the assets of banks and ultimately the population at large (other mortgage holders) is not an honourable profession.
It is in my book.

My brother is in the army.
You could say he gets paid to kill people.
But I'd say he get's paid to protect people.
Lots of army bods get huge satisfaction from their jobs despite killing others and witnessing death because they believe that what they do generally brings safety and peace.

The type of person that accepts receiving and giving verbal and sometimes physical abuse as part of the job.

I'm sure it happens but I'm sure there are others that don't do it.
This doesn't make the job bad and you shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush.

we are all free to choose our friends and given the personality traits necessary to be a Bailiff I wouldn't have one as a friend of mine

I wouldn't particularly choose army bods to be my friends.
But I'm very gald there are people willing to go out and kill (if necessary) on my behalf..
I don't really find them the most "touchy feely" type people but I admire the job they do.

dunstonh

The type of person that has no qualms in making peoples lives more miserable than they were before they knocked on their door.

The would have to include the postman then.

Its not fun paying any bills to anyone so you would have to include anyone that works at shops or for a utility company. Going to hospital is not any fun so anyone working for the NHS is out. Scrub all those working in the service industry as you have to pay them. Civil servants and Govt workers are out as tax doesnt make us happy.....