bailiff advice

JonSimmonds

Right heres my situation, I live in a flat what is part of a old house that has been convered by the landlord into 3 seperate self contained flats. All the flats are seperate apart from that they share the same front door and common hallway, all 3 flats are registered as seperate flats by the electorial role & council tax etc.

I have heard from a "friend of the friend" that one of the other flat owners has got a parking ticket, not paid, and its got to the point he may have had it taken to court (are there any websites were I can check this?)

my concern is if the bailiffs come knocking on the front door were do i stand? will they accept the fact its 3 seperate flats and if i show sufficent id they cant touch me?

were do i stand as regards to them gaining entry into his flat? i dont really wanna be the one to let them in and for him to then be told his flat got emptied, as i dont think he would be that impressed and may want to express his anger... the landlords office is local would they wait untill the landlord was present etc?

Thanks

Jon

jobbingmusician

I'm just posting to give you heart, although I haven't got much expertise.

What I understand is that baliffs cannot FORCE entry. (They are allowed to climb through an empty window!!!) I would be totally amazed if they hadn't done their homework and found that the property is 3 flats - I assume you each have your own front door, even if its internal, so there would be no question of you letting baliffs into someone else's flat accidentally. If you showed them good ID which said 'Flat x, Address of Property' and they then entered YOUR property, I think you would have fun and get lots of money out of them for trespass!!! :j

Even if these baliffs exist, their argument is not with you, and I am sure they would be too sensible to start falling out with neighbours - I understand they are usually extremely nice to neighbours, who can be very helpful to them.

Justicia

jobbingmusician wrote:

Even if these baliffs exist, their argument is not with you, and I am sure they would be too sensible to start falling out with neighbours - I understand they are usually extremely nice to neighbours, who can be very helpful to them.

Too true. Same as with process serving, neighbours of the subject can be very useful with supplying information...

I agree with jobbingmusician's post. If the property is obviously divided into units, then the baillifs will more than likely be aware of this and will have done their "homework" before a visit to ensure that their action is swift and there are minimal delays with locating correct doors, individuals, etc.

I don't think that there are any resources available to you to check if this outstanding parking fine exists.

Do the internal, main ("front") doors have separate, identifying numbers? If so, and they are clearly separating the apartments then I don't think you need to be concerned.

In regards to your concerns to letting them have access to the property and this individual's apartment, then I believe that you are within your rights to not allow them access to the property if you open the door to them - it is not your account/problem. It is down to them to contact the correct person and legally gain entry, so if they knock and you answer, just tell them that you are not the subject (perhaps show ID if you are happy to do so) and close the door.

Xbigman

Any bailif's paperwork will have the address of the actual abode where the debtor lives. They have no rights to enter any other property.
Regards



X

JonSimmonds

thanks for your replies, the doors are all clearly marked as to which flat it is, so no issues there i guess

Conor_3

Nope. You merely need to be able to prove you are not the debtor. A driving licence will suffice.