Sharing house with some1 in debt

allan2006

This probably isn`t the right forum.

If you live with family and one of those has debts, credit cards, catalogues, banks etc chasing them for money does that affect the other people living in the same household?

If this person continues to ignore phone calls/letters from these companies what actually happens, whats the process and will it affect other people living here??

Im dreading baliffs turning up taking my stuff !

forgotmyname

Seen a show on TV about people in debt & they went through the process of what will happen if bailiffs call, One guy sharing & his mate let the bailiff in, The bailiff then also made a list of stuff owned by the flatmate. He had to prove he owned the stuff to get it back later.
Proper receipts etc.

After finding this site i found out most of the show is just to scare them into sorting themselves out now rather than later.

Seems even if you lock your door internally they can still gain access once in the main property.

Tixy

Hi

Providing you don't have any joint financial products (loan, overdraft etc) then your credit rating will not be affected by their debts.

If the person gets CCJs against them then baliffs could be instructed. If they turn up at the house then all people who live there should know not to let them in the house, not to even open the door to them and certainly not to sign anything.

If baliffs were allowed into the property they should only levy goods belonging to the debtor. It is possible to levy goods where the ownership is unclear but baliffs should avoid this if possible.
If you know that baliffs have been instructed then you might want to get signed proof that your posessions are owned by you (usually costs around £10 for a solicitor to do this), hopefully you won't need to but if the debtor keeps ignoring everything then it is worth being aware that this is an option.

That said I would try to persuade the relative to seek help and advice on their situation - there is help for them if they are struggling to pay. If they simply are intentionally ripping off banks and companies then it harder for you to do anything - unless you own the house/tenancy agreement, in which case you could presumably kick them out.