Bailiffs allowed entry for different debt-can they now force entry?

worried_about_bailiffs

Hi. Still finding my way around the forum so apologies if this is in the wrong section. Stressing a little bit.

Girlfriend let bailiffs in and signed one of those things were you agree to pay or they seize your goods, as she wanted to pay her debt for an old council tax bill she overlooked.

Yesterday I received a 'Removal Notice' which says they're going to come and remove my goods tomorrow (22/6/12) for a different council tax debt that I don't believe I owe.

It's the same bailiff. Can they now force entry?
What should I do to find out about the debt as there is no information about it on the letter?

Also the council tax bill has 3 peoples names on it. Myself and 2 other people I lived with years ago. Is it possible that one of them didn't pay their portion and bailiff can just take action against whoever they can find?

Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks

RAS

Council Tax is a joint and several liability, so if one person did not pay their share, the bailiff can chase any one of the people on the bill, regardless of whether they paid their share.

regarding the fact that your GF allowed the bailiff to levy (why, why or why did she let him in?), I think you need a real specialsit like Herbie21 who runs the bailiff advice line (www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk). The phone line is premium rate (how they fund the web-site etc) but the situation is precarious and you need proper advice.

vax2002

Once you let them in its much game over.
The house is now "in port"

worried_about_bailiffs

RAS wrote: »

regarding the fact that your GF allowed the bailiff to levy (why, why or why did she let him in?),

Tell me about it. Apparently it's not the bloody first time either. She was just letting anyone in who asked and telling them anything they asked about me!!! I'm f'ing furious! I'll check that link though. Thanks.

@vax2002: Yea. I know. It was for a different debt though, so I wasn't sure. They don't have a list of any of my stuff, only hers for her debt.

RAS

worried_about_bailiffs wrote: »

@vax2002: Yea. I know. It was for a different debt though, so I wasn't sure. They don't have a list of any of my stuff, only hers for her debt.

This is why you need an expert.

Yoshiro

No, they can only force entry for the debt where they were allowed in. If this new debt is a different person to the one where they let the bailiff in then they cant force entry.

Yoshiro

vax2002 wrote: »

Once you let them in its much game over.
The house is now "in port"

Not quite, if that was the case then they could gain entry to any house after someone moved out claiming a right of entry (obviously if the new person had a debt of course).

nottoolate

worried_about_bailiffs wrote: »

It's the same bailiff. Can they now force entry?

no. they cant

Gemini33

Just because she signed the paper it does not mean anything, if the doors are locked how can they possibly gain entry without criminal damages?

fatbelly

Gemini33 wrote: »

Just because she signed the paper it does not mean anything, if the doors are locked how can they possibly gain entry without criminal damages?

By employing a locksmith and charging the debtor for their services. A levy changes the ownership of the goods levied from the debtor to the bailiff. You cannot obstruct the bailiff from accessing their goods.

You can call their bluff on this but it may backfire.

CIS

The bailiff would only have powers of entry to remove goods for a debt against which he has a levy - he would need a separate levy against any subsequent liability orders.