We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Bailiffs Conduct - Making a complaint

Options
I have had a Bailiff at my door today, who turned up at the same time as my twelve year old son. I was out at the time. He told my son that I must phone him urgently that evening and if I didnt, the Bailiffs would be back within a couple of days.

He also left a 'Notification of Attendance to Remove Goods' Which had no details filled in, about what or how much it was for, just had the bailiffs mobile phone number on.

I believe its for Council Tax. If so they havent even levied on any goods, so how can they give me a notice of Attendance to remove goods?

The notice also states 'If you do not contact me urgently I may return with the police and locksmith to force entry upon your property with or without your presence!

My son, who is classed as disabled, due to psychological and behavioural problems, now thinks that someone is coming to take all his stuff away, and has been very upset by it all. I have enough problems with his day to day care, without something like this piled on top.

I'm sure these type of Tactics are not allowed, but need some advice on what to do next.

I do have the email address of the Company director from the Bailiff Company, so i'm trying to put a letter together. Who would I make any formal complaints to?

Can any assist with a 'Martin Style' Letter to send, as I'm not very good when it comes to letters!






Are these type of tactics allowed? Any advice would be appreciated, as I am not happy about his conduct.
10 1p's are better than no 10p's !!! :think:

BSCSC member #35

Doesn't expecting the unexpected make the unexpected become the expected?;)

Remember, posts here are just the informed views of someone with similar experiences to your own or with some basic understanding of the issues.
Please remember, if in doubt, seek professional advice!
«1

Comments

  • I'm no expert I'm afraid, but from watching 'Beat the Bailiff' it looks like they can seize goods and auction them off to pay towards your outstanding debt. They also say that to gain access to your property to do an inventory of your goods they must 'cross the threshold' and once they have done that they can then force entry at a later date to seize goods. Why don't you phone them and try and come to some sort of payment arrangement (if you can afford to obviously)?

    I agree that it was out of order to tell your son who they were and to worry him the way they did.

    Good luck x
    Mortgage-free wannabe!
  • less2303
    less2303 Posts: 198 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Thats the thing, they havent crossed the threashold! So how can they say they are going to remove goods?
    10 1p's are better than no 10p's !!! :think:

    BSCSC member #35

    Doesn't expecting the unexpected make the unexpected become the expected?;)

    Remember, posts here are just the informed views of someone with similar experiences to your own or with some basic understanding of the issues.
    Please remember, if in doubt, seek professional advice!
  • I see what you mean, they are obviously using scare tactics. Luckily, you know the score and you know they can't access your property without you letting them in first.
    Mortgage-free wannabe!
  • Bargain_Rzl
    Bargain_Rzl Posts: 6,254 Forumite
    Ruyareece, "Beat the Bailiff" also said that they're not allowed to take away anything belonging to a child, so at least the OP can reassure his/her son.
    :)Operation Get in Shape :)
    MURPHY'S NO MORE PIES CLUB MEMBER #124
  • Poppy9
    Poppy9 Posts: 18,833 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Bailiffs - your rights and their wrongs!!


    Hope this helps
    :) ~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
  • The excellent programme 'Beat The Baliff' also said they can look in the windows to see what they can seize. Then they can just get in to take the items, even through a window. I'm sure they said they leave children's itmes and a kettle and cooker or microwave or toaster.

    The programme is very good in that it makes you realise what could happen if you don't address your issues.

    Can anyone confirm the details of the procedure?
    A minute at the till, a lifetime on the bill.

    Nothing tastes as good as being slim feels.

    one life, live it!
  • The excellent programme 'Beat The Baliff' also said they can look in the windows to see what they can seize. Then they can just get in to take the items, even through a window. I'm sure they said they leave children's itmes and a kettle and cooker or microwave or toaster.

    The programme is very good in that it makes you realise what could happen if you don't address your issues.

    Can anyone confirm the details of the procedure?
    "The excellent program" is at best factually flawed, and at worst severely misguided, goods can not be levied through a window ( how do they know who the goods belong too) and in real terms unless you permit peaceful entry to your property then the bailiff has no power of entry until such time as an execution warrant is issued ( not this IS NOT a distress warrant or a "walking possession notice" ) and execution warrants are very rarely issued for anything other than crown debts.

    Goods which are exempt include (but are not limited to) tools of the trade, bedding, clothing or other basic essentials including cooking implements

    In this case the Bailiff in question is in direct breach of both OFT and trading standards guidelines and should be reported as such, discussing the matter with any 3rd party let alone a minor is not only immoral, but downright illegal


    read the link provided by Poppy for more info
    :rolleyes: It’s hard enough remembering my opinions - without remembering my reasons for them :rolleyes:
  • nottslass_2
    nottslass_2 Posts: 1,765 Forumite
    hi, found myself in the same situation a few years ago.

    national debt line were very helpfull,sorry don't know their number off hand but i'm pretty sure they have a website.
    The best bit of advice that they gave me was DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR to them under any circumstances.if it is about a debt for council tax they can only charge costs for the first two visits ( if i rember correctly) so after they have been twice most will give up , and return the debt back to your council. then your can come to an arrangement directly with them that you can afford to stick to.so my advice is to totally ignore them and then contact the council directly.

    best of luck and try not to let them, and their bully boy tactics get to you
  • less2303
    less2303 Posts: 198 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Looks like I'll have to set the ball rolling with a complaint, any ideas suggestions with wording, i,m useless at writing letters!
    10 1p's are better than no 10p's !!! :think:

    BSCSC member #35

    Doesn't expecting the unexpected make the unexpected become the expected?;)

    Remember, posts here are just the informed views of someone with similar experiences to your own or with some basic understanding of the issues.
    Please remember, if in doubt, seek professional advice!
  • davek1
    davek1 Posts: 590 Forumite
    Less

    I would start by writing to the Court ALL Bailliffs are officers of the court and are licensed as such. Copy the letter to the Bailliff company as well. They can't seize goods from looking through windows they have to have what is termed walk in possession meaning they log goods and leave them with you for an agreed period of time to allow you to pay the debt. if you do this then the goods remain with you.

    I agree that discussing the matter with a minor, or anyone else if it comes to that, is totally irresponsible and unacceptable.

    Dave
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.