Bailiff question?

chunkytfg

Let me first explain my situation.

I'm living with partner in norfolk, Work in london on shifts so while on shift I rent a room in a flat near work in that there london.

It transpires that one of the tennents in the flat prior to me was the only person registered at the address as the other occupant was a student so still registered at parents house.

It apears the non student tennant prior to him moving out was not paying his council tax and failing to open ANY of his mail EVER.

SO it seems from my digging that he was summonsed to court, failed to turn up and now the bailiffs would like there money.

So when i moved in the council wouldnt allow me to remove him from the council tax bill and add me until they had his forwarding address so although I moved in on the 1st nov i'm still not registered as living there and he is!

So eventually I have managed to find out where he lives and got his number but not surprisingly he seems reluctant to respond my communications!

My question basically a while back we had a letter delivered(we were both out at the time) by hand which was a 'Pay up or we'll take everything' type letter. Again today he recieved(all his mail still comes here) a letter saying they will be visiting on the 4th dec to remove goods!

KNow I know about the whole keep your windows shut, dont let them in thing as i have tried to read up on what they can and cant do but my problem is on friday I am off work so wont be in the flat and we have painters and decorators in on behalf of the landlord. My question is what happens if the P+D's let them in? does that count as being allowed entry?

HOw about the fact there is nothing in the flat belonging to this guy? does that mater or is it the flat the has the debt and not the person so anything in here is theres to take?

I'm just worried they will get in and take everything i own never to be seen again when I dont acutally owe the money!

MrsTinks

The debt belongs to HIM not you and not the flat as a property. The bailiffs can only remove HIS goods, no-one elses - however if you're not there and someone lets them in they may not care because not all bailiffs are following the rules sadly...
I'm not sure why the council won't take him off the property and put you on it - that makes NO sense to me... do you have a tenency contract? If so then I really don't see neither why you should be chasing him nor why they won't put you on the address as living there...
I would contact them again and try to get them to update their records - send them a letter by recorded post if need be stating that as of x date you moved in and you do not know Mr X nor his current wereabouts. If they don't get their backsides in gear then contact your local MP

As for the bailiff - do you have the contact number for them? If so it may be worth calling them and explaining you now live at the property - that you will not be there on the 4th however if they can come at another time you will be happy to confirm that you are indeed you and not Mr X. Normally I'd tell people to no worry and let the bailiffs do their own running around - but if as you say the flat will have workmen in it then it does put a slightly different perspective on the issue...

chunkytfg

Many thanks MrsTime.

Have spoken with the bailiff's, Newlyn BTW, and them of the above and they have updated there records. I even saved them some homework andg gave them his new adress