Warrant of entry

bouicca21

I live in a flat in a large Victorian house. We have a communal front door to the street then each flat has its own front door leading off the communal space.

I strongly suspect that one of my neighbours has done a runner. Bailiffs were after him about a month ago and there are piles of uncollected post. Today someone from a utility company came round and said they are coming back tomorrow with a warrant of entry unless he pays his bill pronto.

I work at home so the chances are that I will be here and probably the only person in the building. If they ring my bell, do I have to let them in through the communal door so that they can get to his door? How do I know they are genuine? I have no idea what a warrant of entry is or what it looks like.

[Deleted User]

You don't have to let them in anywhere.

pauletruth

not your problem just dont let them in unless they have the police with them.

Clive_Woody

http://www.yourrights.org.uk/yourrights/privacy/power-of-officials-to-enter-your-home/gas-and-electricity-boards.html

bouicca21

Thanks for the responses. At least that link says that if they break in the street door they have to leave it secured - this was one of my worries since once through the communal door an intruder could easily hide in the stair well and there have been a number of break ins in the area recently.

Clive_Woody

bouicca21 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. At least that link says that if they break in the street door they have to leave it secured - this was one of my worries since once through the communal door an intruder could easily hide in the stair well and there have been a number of break ins in the area recently.

If you feel threatened or concerned then I would advise that you dial 999 and then the police can come and verify the document is valid and ensure that everything is above board.

In my opinion this would be a legitimate use of the emergency number as you should not feel frightened or intimidated in your own home.

Clive_Woody

Assuming that this flat is rented, does the landlord know what is going on as he/she may want to be involved.

torbrex

They will have identification and the warrant of entry actually says on it exactly what it is and will be duly signed by a local magistrate.
I have never understood why everyone treats them as if they are the criminals and some people actually go out of their way to obstruct them.

If they have a warrant for one of the flats, it is unlikely that they will bother any of the other tennants to get in as they will have a locksmith with them.
The only concern that you should have is that they disconnect the correct meter if they are all in a communal cuboard.

bouicca21

I have no idea who the landlord is. Equally I have no idea what a warrant of entry looks like or who the local magistrates are. Anyone could mock up something official looking and put a signature on it! Though, as it happens I think the man is well dodgy.

So it's the meter they will be after? They don't need to get into the house to cut the gas off; I'll happily unlock the garden gate and show them where the meters are. Though tbh I'd rather not get involved at all.

Apples2

bouicca21 wrote: »

So it's the meter they will be after? They don't need to get into the house to cut the gas off; I'll happily unlock the garden gate and show them where the meters are. Though tbh I'd rather not get involved at all.

Isn't this going to affect your own gas (does the flat in question have it's own supply)?

bouicca21

No - that's ok. Each flat has its own meter.