more advice required if possible!

louiser123

hi everyone,

since last post my daughter has now spoken to national debtline and they advised a DRO as a posed to bankruptcy.

these are just some bits we are unsure of.

council tax arrears- she now tells me she has cca for this and has learnt that bailiffs have been instigated although she has had no call, am i right that she can refuse them entry unless they have a warrant? what tyoes of items are they allowed to take, she has nothing of value the tv is about 30 yrs old, ect and just has basic sofa, no sterios ect, the only thing i am worried about is my little grandsons stuff, he has a little flat screen tv we bought him xmas 08, and he has x box and an old pplaystation 2 which belongs to his grandad in his bedroom. can they take these>?


if she is in process of applying for the DRO, can she tell any creditors this if they come knocking and will it make a difference or does she have to have a current DRO in place to stop collection activity.

she has no assests at all basic household stuff nothing fancy, is it a good idea that we bring my grandsons stuff here to prevent any loss as he will be so upset and so will i.

any other advice you can think of regarding DRO or anything please feel free to post as it all helps,

a big thank you in advance you are all so helpful and kind,

tech2_2

Cant help much bit I am sure they can take the kids stuff I think!!!

Wh dont you get her to do and SOA and let us look.

You cant right off the council tax normally but as for arrears? possible as my OR did ask me...

SOA to see her full state of finaces would give us all a better idea and poss advise further and better also

nervousmother

Yes they can take the kids stuff im afraid, i was shocked when i found out about it.

They can take:
your car
furntiure
electrical items
personal belongings
office equipment
stock

They cant take
essential tools of trade
household items like bedding and cooking equipment
intems subject to hire purchase

louiser123

good lord i better bring it round here, i am not happy at him having to suffer because of this, they were burgled last year as it is and they took all his games and his playstation2 thats why my husband gave him his.

do they take the couch aswell?? sorry if i seem thick but i know nothing about all this stuff we didnt let things get this far when we declared BR years ago and didnt owe council tax ect.

im a bit appauled really that they can be allowed to take childrens belongings,

so they can take everything so she wont have anything to sit on, or keep food in (fridge ect) kettles??

philnicandamy

Very informative & handy site here

http://www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk/index.htm

fermi

And: Bailiffs and Council Tax

fermi

From the above.

What things are bailiffs allowed to take?

There are some things that the bailiffs are not allowed to take at all, such as goods that are rented or hired. The regulations also say that the following items are exempt and cannot be taken:

• "such tools, books, vehicles and other items of equipment as are necessary for use personally in employment, business or vocation";
• "such clothing, bedding, furniture, household equipment and provisions as are necessary for satisfying basic domestic needs of the person and family".

This list is not very specific so you may find that bailiffs have a different idea of what items are necessary for you to keep and what can be taken. You can complain about what the bailiffs take if you feel the items should have been exempt.

• It is not good practice for a bailiff to take anything that belongs to, or is used solely by a child, and you should complain if they threaten to do this.
• The bailiff should make a list that names the items they intend to take.
• A bailiff shouldn't take goods that are worth more than you actually owe.

fermi

louiser123 wrote: »

good lord i better bring it round here, i am not happy at him having to suffer because of this, they were burgled last year as it is and they took all his games and his playstation2 thats why my husband gave him his.

do they take the couch aswell?? sorry if i seem thick but i know nothing about all this stuff we didnt let things get this far when we declared BR years ago and didnt owe council tax ect.

im a bit appauled really that they can be allowed to take childrens belongings,

so they can take everything so she wont have anything to sit on, or keep food in (fridge ect) kettles??

No they can't take any of that.

Most things in your house will fall under:

"such clothing, bedding, furniture, household equipment and provisions as are necessary for satisfying basic domestic needs of the person and family".

Please have a careful read through the info in the links in the posts above.

nervousmother

I remember watching a programme on tv about bailiffs, although its not good practice not to take childresn belongings it is allowed and they will be some of the first things targeted on the first visit. They admitted they do this as 9 times out of 10 the debtor then finds the money to pay them before toys such as bikes and playstations are taken. They also stated that they will take a microwave if the debtor has a cooker but can not take the microwave if its their only means of cooking.
It was a very interesting programme but showed them up to be the true B*st*rds they are.

fermi

nervousmother wrote: »

I remember watching a programme on tv about bailiffs, although its not good practice not to take childresn belongings it is allowed and they will be some of the first things targeted on the first visit. They admitted they do this as 9 times out of 10 the debtor then finds the money to pay them before toys such as bikes and playstations are taken. They also stated that they will take a microwave if the debtor has a cooker but can not take the microwave if its their only means of cooking.
It was a very interesting programme but showed them up to be the true B*st*rds they are.

I've seen some of those programs, and they behave in ways that they shouldn't. :rolleyes:

What they get away with on TV is not a good guide to what they should do.

louiser123

thanks so much eveyone for yor help i am off the read the links now, forewarned is forearmed as they say!! i will then pass on the knowledge i gain to my daughter, i may be back with more questions later if something else happens until then take care all!!