Old debts, old wives tales

hilda40plus

Is it true that after so many years a debt becomes null and void?
I have just recieved a baillifs letter saying i owe 800 pounds from
2003. No savings or enough money coming in, baillifs want 200 pounds over 4 months. Any suggestions?

handyman123_2

Hi Hilda, not an old wifes tale, some debts not Council Tax and Income Tax, become statute barred after 6 years. 5 in Scotland. If the debt dates back to 2003 and you have not paid or acknowledged the debt in writing for the last 6 years, it means that unless they got a county court judgement against the debt, they can ask you for payment but they cant enforce payment by taking you to court or sending the bailiffs.

Have a click on this link for more information.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=24040085&postcount=1

You need to read the info, then send them the request for CCA, (Consumer Credit Agreement).
Sign everything digitally (Use a fancy font and blue ink).
Tell them you will only correspond in writing.

Keep us posted to your progress or post back if we can be of further help.
Regards, Handy.

fatbelly

hilda40plus wrote: »

Is it true that after so many years a debt becomes null and void?
I have just recieved a baillifs letter saying i owe 800 pounds from
2003. No savings or enough money coming in, baillifs want 200 pounds over 4 months. Any suggestions?

No, not in England/Wales Law, but it may become unenforceable.

What is this debt? And why are bailiffs involved? Is there a county court judgement on it or a liability order from the magistrates court?

We don't have enough info from your first post to make any suggestions yet.

Just noticed Handy's link - that set of letters only applies to Consumer Credit Act debts. We've no idea what this is yet. Are the 'bailiffs' really bailiffs? If so, I'm inclining towards a Council Tax debt with a Liability Order on it. But at the mo, it could be anything.

handyman123_2

fatbelly wrote: »

No, not in England/Wales Law, but it may become unenforceable.

What is this debt? And why are bailiffs involved? Is there a county court judgement on it or a liability order from the magistrates court?

We don't have enough info from your first post to make any suggestions yet.

Just noticed Handy's link - that set of letters only applies to Consumer Credit Act debts. We've no idea what this is yet. Are the 'bailiffs' really bailiffs? If so, I'm inclining towards a Council Tax debt with a Liability Order on it. But at the mo, it could be anything.

Hi as Fatbelly says we need as much info as possible. I made the mistake of not giving enough detail when I first joined the forum. You don't need to get specific. Personal details definatly should not be given.
But things like the name of the bailiffs and as much as you can tell us about what the debt is will help people give you the best advice.
Regards, Handy.