How to beat the bailiffs

fatbelly

Did the programme mention that in 99% of cases Bailiffs do not remove goods? Thought not.

It's all about threats and pressure.

And trash TV.

Feux_Verts

dancingfairy wrote: »

I think if it stops people living above their means then that's a good thing and maybe the reality will sink in.

It's also a lot about the responsibility of the Finance Industry to be realistic when they talk about "responsible" lending.

Sugar_Coated_Owl

I watched it on Monday (I think) and it was 3 adults (brother and sister and girl's friend) and a baby. It was the girl's friend who had the debts yet the bailiff said he could and did take the possessions of the other two adults. The brother and sister were unable to provide receipts for all of their belongings so apparently the bailiff was permitted to remove those goods. Is this correct? I thought they could only take items belonging to the debtor.

richt71

Beth86 wrote: »

I haven't seen the programme but since coming on here and reading about Bailiffs, I've been constantly thinking about how I would keep them out of my house. And my plan is : I would leave the house through my back door locking it behind me and then going to the front and greeting the bailiff. (Yep - I think too much because it ain't going to happen atm! Lol)

It isn't a funny issue - my father has done the job and says it was one of the worst experiences in his life (second only to going to Iraq, although that was also one of the best ) He said he hated seeing the families crying and putting labels on everything leaving them with very little. I couldn't do it.

Can't you just not answer the door? Only when they have a court warrant can they get the police to force entry.

nathanrh

One of the oft perpetuated solutions to bailiffs is that you can simply not answer the door to them i.e. ignore them forever. In reality this is only half of the answer.

Yes, you can lawfully prevent the bailiffs from gaining that initial entry but what will then happen is somewhat different. A first bailiff visit ought to be the jolt that gets someone dealing with their debts ;-).

Bailiffs refused entry simply don't just go away, its one of the few growth and profitable industries left in the UK, they'll levy a nice big fat charge for the visit, perhaps another if they can find the time to scribble a note saying they've visited and its all added with interest to your bill.

Another popular myth is that if you frustrate them long enough they'll simply "go away" or return the warrant as being impossible to execute, repeat visiting of bailiffs is pretty much the most profitable part of being a bailiff ;-), and up goes your bill yet again.

Eventually if you live with others, someone opens the door and the bailiff gets his foot over it, or in the middle of summer you leave the door open and they simply stroll in or a window gets left open because you were in a hurry to do something else.....QED, the bailiff gains entry.

To summarise then, and this is MHO only, unless you are planning on permanently never ever paying the bill, and moving on a regular basis to ensure they can't keep up with you, frustrating bailiffs is simply going to be adding to your bill which you will end up paying for at some point.

By all means, don't let them in, but for godsake don't think they are going away ;-).

Regards

Nathan