intimidating behaviour from Marston bailiff

gaia66

This morning I received a visit from an enforcement officer from Merston bailiffs. It was for something related to a previous tenant, who lived here more than 3 years ago but he still uses (or better abuses) this address. I constantly get visits from officers and the police and it get resolved straight away. This guy however had been intimidating and hostile from the very beginning, knocking very loudly and then hiding, then ordering me to 'just open up', with his ID barely visible (and anyway it could have been any photocopied sticker), no paperwork to show or anything, demanding to see documents to prove my identity. I refused to open the door because he was so confrontational but then I stupidly did to show him my IDs. He then did not accept the id provided (council letter and passport), forced his foot in the door and refused to let me close it. At that point I called the police who stayed with me on the phone until I went back in the flat (with him still at the door now open!) to get more id documents. I am furious for this behaviour, I am not the culprit and yet I have been treated in an intimidatory way. I do not even know what for. He said he was from the magistrate court, but the sticker said Merston and then he admitted he was a bailiff. I want to make a formal complaint and not sure where to go to as I do not know for sure who the client is. I am really angry and worried that they may come back.

sourcrates

gaia66 wrote: »

I want to make a formal complaint and not sure where to go to as I do not know for sure who the client is. I am really angry and worried that they may come back.

You can complain directly to Marstons here :

http://www.marstongroup.co.uk/enquiries/our-complaints-procedure/

Tixy

I would start with a formal written complaint to Marston.

You could also complain to the trade association CIVEA. I don't know how much they actually do, but they have a code of practice and a complaints procedure.

It is more difficult as you don't know who they were acting on behalf of or what the bailiffs name was.

I doubt they will come back as you have called the police whilst they were there. But If he does come back don't be intimidated and try to find out his name for a complaint.

andyfromotley

I simply would not answer the door to them. Ever.

But if you do you will find that videoing them will improve their behaviour enormously.

gaia66

I have called Marstons this morning and was told that to clarify the matter I needed to speak to the enforcement officer assigned to this case. To the bully who visited me initially! They gave me his number but I cannot bring myself to call him, he was so intimidating. I asked for an address to write to and wasn't given one. Then he put the phone down on me.
I went to report the matter to the police and told that they could not take a statement as it was a civil matter.

Is really nothing one can do against bailiffs, even in a case like this?

sourcrates

gaia66 wrote: »

I have called Marstons this morning and was told that to clarify the matter I needed to speak to the enforcement officer assigned to this case. To the bully who visited me initially! They gave me his number but I cannot bring myself to call him, he was so intimidating. I asked for an address to write to and wasn't given one. Then he put the phone down on me.
I went to report the matter to the police and told that they could not take a statement as it was a civil matter.

Is really nothing one can do against bailiffs, even in a case like this?

Stay off the phone to them, you have been advised to put in a formal, written, complaint, not a phone call, where you can be fobbed off.

Follow there correct complaints procedure, as stated on the link i provided above.
If you want a successful outcome, you MUST complain in writing !!!!!!

You should also send a written complaint to his trade association as well, create an almighty stink that they cant ignore.

More info here :

https://www.gov.uk/your-rights-bailiffs/how-to-complain-about-a-bailiff

gaia66

For the past two days there had been a car parked outside my block, not in parking space, with someone sitting inside for hours. Yesterday I was told by a neighbour that someone with a different car stayed in parking space for ages and then got out and took pictures of my car from every angle including inside!!! and the filmed my windows! I am seriously concerned now/ I have just posted a complain letter to Marston following another letter with an enforcement notice for the previous tenant (I know I should not have opened it). Not even sure these people in the car are actually enforcement officers but can't see who else could they be.

sourcrates

gaia66 wrote: »

For the past two days there had been a car parked outside my block, not in parking space, with someone sitting inside for hours. Yesterday I was told by a neighbour that someone with a different car stayed in parking space for ages and then got out and took pictures of my car from every angle including inside!!! and the filmed my windows! I am seriously concerned now/ I have just posted a complain letter to Marston following another letter with an enforcement notice for the previous tenant (I know I should not have opened it). Not even sure these people in the car are actually enforcement officers but can't see who else could they be.

Go out and film them, see how they like it, you have no reason to be concerned, as its not you they are after.

chanz4

call the police if they are