Liability of Parents.

Zebra

Can parents be liable for the debts of their children, if they are still living at home?

And will it impact on the credit rating of the parents?

Broken_hearted

No nor are kids responsible for parents debt.

damoandclaire

unless they were guarantor to your debts then I do not beleive they can be held responsible for your debt (someone will correct me if i'm wrong )

as for affecting their credit rating, although you live at the address, unless their names are on any of the debt you have (financially linked), then it will not affect them.

Zebra

Thanks guys - what would happen if the worst came to the worst and the baliffs became involved?

I should add that the child is actually an adult - over 21 but still living at home :rolleyes:

kaya

go to bailiffadviceonline
taking anybodys property for a debt that is not theres is theft, plain and simple, i would suggest that the parents go get a statuatory declaration witnessed at a solicitors, the onus is on the owner of said property to prove that it is there's, the bailiffs do not have to make there own enquiries or satisfy themselves as to ownership

damoandclaire

even if the bailifs turned up, they would only be able to touch your assets, not your parents. there would be a burden of proof at that stage - i think (bit of a rigmarole but your parents may possibly have to prove that they own other goods - somewhat unsure on that one).

best thing to do is if you think a bailif is at the door, ask for ID as they have to have it on show and most of all, DONT let them in, not even a foot in the door. if they put their foot in the door, they're forcing entry and theyre not allowed to do that. however, should you let them in, they will be able to force entry later on.

Zebra

Thanks - hopefully it will never come to that and he'll pay what he owes - it's a mobile phone contract.

By the way Damoandclaire - I'm not the child, I'm not even the parent!!!

damoandclaire

sorry bout that. didn't mean any insult there. probably just me not reading the post properly and only picking up the key points. Please forgive!

Ames

It's highly unlikely that baillifs will get involved over a mobile phone debt, and if they do it's a long, long way down the line. First the guy needs to be taken to court, then he'd have to fail to keep up to an agreement, then they'd have to go back to court to get an order for bailiffs... it's a very long process.

damoandclaire

Ames hit the nail on the head!!