Does my LL have a right to give Bailiffs my details?

damtheman

Earlier this year, I ran into a spot of bother with paying an outstanding bill on a previous property, they issued a bailiff to my property. Fortunately for me and my stress, I was at my day job when they called but my OH was in and (as instructed did not open the door to anyone my OH does not know) heard my LL talking to the bailiff very openly about my residence at the property and including the location of my car!

When I heard about this I confronted the LL that he shouldn't be speaking to anyone doesn't know in relation to my tenancy. His only response was that the bailiff seemed to know enough for him to comment, without giving away he was a bailiff, and that he did not want to seem rude to strangers!

I don't know about anyone else but I feel very cheated by my LL and that he had no remorse about the situation that was caused, the bailiff had subsequently tallied up my car to be used in repaying the outstanding balance.

FORTUNATELY all of this has been resolved with the bailiff, WITHOUT removing my car. But I still feel very upset that the LL could do such a thing.

There is a level I am willing to accept, the bailiff talking about me in very casual tones that has tricked my LL in revealing particular bits of information. This I can understand but surely the LL could have apologised when I gave him the whole picture??

I can no longer trust my LL with my details because of this incident.

Am I just paranoid about this? Or do I have every right to be p*ssed?

GDB2222

Yes, you are being paranoid and unreasonable. Simple as that.

theartfullodger

Data protection constraints do not apply to actual or potential court proceedings.

Mind you, as a Landlord I think I'd decline to help unless forced to by court order, let tenant know but wonder about tenant's bill paying habits & the rent....

I've had utility companies contact me wanting help with large outstanding bills & always asked them why they expected me to ignore DPA, f... off, then talk to tenant to find out if things OK

damtheman

Thanks for your initial comments.

By the way, the LL never knew the visitor was a bailiff. He didn't know until I told him when confronted.

So to the LL, he was talking to a complete stranger.

vax2002

I Think a friendly word about keeping your private business confidential may be the best option.

GDB2222

damtheman wrote: »

Thanks for your initial comments.

By the way, the LL never knew the visitor was a bailiff. He didn't know until I told him when confronted.

So to the LL, he was talking to a complete stranger.

Suppose I came up to you and said that I was just looking for your next-door neighbour, named him and pointed to his front door. "There's nobody in. Have I got the right house, or am I in the wrong street or something?" You might or might not help me, but the neighbour could hardly complain if you did.

I think most people would help in that situation, so I think you are being overly-sensitive.

Benji

I do sympathise with the posters fustration - but I wonder just how much OP sympathises with her former landlords situation.

OP, if you owe money, pay it (you'd expect others to act in the same manner to you). This prevents you getting court orders. If you get a court order, pay it. This prevents you getting a CCJ and prevents bailiff calling.

Of course, now that your complaint has confirmed to current landlord that you have had the bailiffs around (and all that that indicates), then he is going to be wary of your financial reliability in future.

damtheman

Sorry to bring up another old thread of mine but thanks for all responses.

I am no longer at this property. No car was taken. Had to deal with bailiffs a different way.

This was resolved.

G_M

I don't get this.

The OP is outraged because he wants to get away with avoiding his debts by hiding his assets, and is looking for sympathy?

OP - you brought this on yourself!

I ran into a spot of bother with paying an outstanding bill

If it's got as far as bailiffs, that is more than a 'spot of bother' in my book.

If a kid got abducted, or someone got mugged, I would certainly do what I could to help find the perpetrator. Including if asked, identify the car/home/whatever or a suspect. OK - extreme example but the principle is the same.

damtheman

G_M

There was no 'getting away' with anything.

I had been dealing with the bailiffs as appropriately as I could. I simply feel violated of my privacy when my now ex-landlord revealed the location of my car to a stranger.

Thats the bottom line of it.

But you get a thanks for replying anyway!

paddedjohn

If it is all resolved, why bring it back up 7 months later?