Help, Bailiff letter, student house

chricholson

Hi,

Firstly apologies if this is in the wrong forum thread, I'm in a bit of a panic. I've just come home from a couple of days away to find a Bailiff Removal letter from Equita.

It's not addressed to me, it's to my one of my house mates. There are five of us renting a student house but only he has got the letter. However, like most I imagine we are in a joint tennancy.

The letters states that they tried visiting but no-one was in so will be back again tomorrow. Am I safe? Is my stuff protected? I don't have a lock on my bedroom door so they could in theory walk into any room.

I believe the actual letter is regarding not paying council tax, something he was meant to declare early on that he wouldn't have to pay.

Please help!

Chris

maninthestreet

Don't let them in, don't even open the door to them. Unless the have previously 'crossed the threshold', they cannot force entry. But they can gain access via an open window. So make sure they are closed and/or locked.

princeofpounds

Yes, you mustn't let them in or even let them have a foot in the door (it shouldn't count, but they often act as if it does). Unfortunately I think bailiffs collecting council tax have higher powers of entry than normal ones, so that might not even be enough.

I'm afraid I don't know the ins and outs of the bailiff system but if you google search it gets discussed in many places.

What has probably happened however is that your friend has been taken to court and had a judgment made because he failed to prove his council tax exemption. He needs to contact the council urgently, then potentially the court to get it set-aside.

pmlindyloo

You may want to post this on the Debt-Free wanabee's board (Click on Forums and scroll down) They know all about bailiffs!

No disrespect intended to users of this board!

CIS

Have you provided the council with your student details ?. Under a standard student tenancy you are all joint tenants are jointly liable for any council tax due unless you have provided the council with your student details.

A council tax bailiff has to make peaceable entry to the property in the first instance, once they have entry then they can use force on sunsequent re-entries to seize goods for sale.

tbs624

If the rest of the Ts have handed in their own certificates of exemption duly stamped by their college /university they cannot be held responsible for the council tax debts of someone who has no exemption.

In an HMO the LL is the one who is responsible for payment of the Council Tax , although s/he can include the amount due in the rent - is this property registered as an HMO?

Fire_Fox

Keep a copy of your tenancy agreement near to the front door, if the bailiffs shows up show him and property within the house belongs to the landlord and four other people. Then ask him to leave, if he doesn't call the police.