What is the difference between Ballifs and debt collection agencies

syvci

hi there - I'm in urgent need of advice as im extremely anxious about the future. I am in a lot of debt 35k. I had a DEBT MANAGEMENT plan and having being paying back what i can afford to my creditors each month. This week however one bank and a credit card contacted me to say that ive defaulted etc and or have rejected my offer of payment. I have been told that they will either now pass on teh debt (sell it) or take legal action. In some ways the hearyt ache and worry caused by debt far outweighs the though of either of these two things threatened so in some ways im not scarred. However i have just moved into a flat with some friends. Im not on the contract as i was worried i wouldnt pass a credit check. Im worried that as ive defaulted The creditors might send people round to my new property. This really worries me as i dont wantr my friends to be hasstled or threatened because of my debt problems. Can a debt collection agency or ballifs take anything from a property? i dont really have anything of value and its my worst fear that they will tuurn up and take stuff from the shared house that doesnt belong to me. How likley ios this to be the case? can they do this? Can anypone offer any help or advice - im really worried more for my friemdships as ive lost so much to debt. help about what ballifs and debt cleection agemncies can and cant do what be great. Thanks

Senile_Student

A debt collection agency is just that, they collect debts either on behalf of somebody else, or themselves if they have bought your debt. Bailiffs cannot just turn up at your property unless they have authorisation from the courts and this is usually a last resort and only if you have defaulted on an arrangement which has been made between you and the court.

If it does come to a call from the bailiffs, they cannot just remove anything from the property, it has to belong to you alone so they cannot take any of your friends posessions.

Hope this helps.

Ineedaname

Don't worry, they'll sell the debt on to a DCA who you can re-negotiate the DMP with. Is your DMP via one of the free debt advice agencies? Just pass the details on to them and they should sort it out for you.

DCAs pay only a small percentage to 'buy' the debt so are usually easier to negotiate small DMP payments with as they will be in profit anyway if they eventually recover the entire amount.

tigerfeet2006

If you have a DMP through one of the fee paying companies then I would suggest you ring one of the debt agencies and have a chat with them about your situation and options.

• Consumer Credit Counselling Service - Website: CCCS Telephone: 0800 138 1111
• National Debtline - Website: National Debtline Telephone: 0808 808 4000
• Citizens Advice Bureau - Website: Citizens Advice or visit your local CAB centre (find nearest)

Others:

• Business Debtline - Website: Business Debtline Telephone: 0800 197 6026
• Christians Against Poverty
• PayPlan
• TaxAid - Help with tax debts.

syvci

Thanks for the information guys. Im with Payplan at the moment who are really useful and helpful. Im just coming to terms with all my debt problems and the last thing i wanted was to have my friends hasstled over something that isnt their fault or responsibility. I have been told that companies will use any scare tactic in the book to try and make you pay. To be honest if i could pay then i would, but simply cant. Being in debt has messed up my life and i just want it sorted. Payplan said that this sort of thing takes times as companies posture for as much as they can but in teh end accept what you can give. Many thanks again. If anyone has any other advice tehy can offer to help improve my situtaion then please let me know. Your replies have really put my mind at ease

hallowitch

If it gets as far as bailiffs you don't let them into the property they have no right of entry to your property your Friends can also do a statutory declaration listing the goods that belong to them the cost of this is approx £5/10 and can be done at a solicitors you always get 3 copy's 1 original and 2 notarised copy's

I notarised copy goes to the firm of bailiffs and 1 goes to whoever sent the bailiffs as they are responsible for all actions of there contractors (the bailiff firm)