Possibility of bailiffs for someone else's debt

climbgirl

I moved into a houseshare about 2 years ago when my friend moved out and went to live (permanently) overseas. She's not british and has basically moved back home for good. She's kept her bank accounts open, a current account and a credit card. The credit card she uses a little bit but not the current account.

She's given me permission to open her mail and scan it rather than redirecting it. And in doing this, I've noticed that she's not handling her accounts very well! It's a tiny amount of money (less than £20) but basically, she owes this amount on her credit card and hasn't paid it. I think this is more to do with the fact that she's forgotten to make the payments now she's living abroad than deliberate non-payment. I've sent emails making sure she's getting the message but she obviously isn't paying!

It didn't really bother me although I've noticed that the bank letters are coming more frequently and are starting to get quite threatening. Now I'm wondering if it will effect the address we live at.

My questions are - will the banks bother calling in the DCAs and bailiffs for a credit card debt that is less than £20? If the bailiffs do come around, what do we need to say to them or do to prove she doesn't live there anymore and that they can't take our stuff?

thanks!

RAS

Climbgirl

This is well intentioned on your part and your friend may want to hold the accounts open so that she has them if she ever returns to the UK, but really the bank need to know they current address rather then sending stuff to her old address.

It will not affect your address unless she had or still has her name on any accounts jointly with someone who still lives there, eg utilities. Then she could be financially linked to them.

So they cant come chasing you for her debts or send in DCAs or bailiffs. However, they can come chasing her. OK you can just show them the rent book and explain that she has left, but why should you put up with the hassle?

I would suggest that you write to her and tell her that given the way she is managing her account and the time since she left, it is time for her to communicate her current address to the banks.

If she does not do so, tell her that after a specificed date, you will return the letters unopened.

If anyone has or had a joint account with her, they need to sort that out and remove the financial link.

climbgirl

I'm not sure she can give them her new address, I think there may be rules about having an open bank account if you're not resident in the UK? Maybe that's just for things like ISAs.

Frankly, I think she should just close the damn things and be done with it, they're causing her more hassle than they are use to her!

I'll instruct my housemates about what to do if a bailiff shows up - it's unlikely, but just thought I'd be clear on where we stand. She's no longer on any of the bills and she's not linked financially to any current housemates (either now or in the past). So we should be ok in that respect.

Thanks!

Glittermonkey

I had something similar with my old flatmates.

I knew where the girl was so I just sent the letters back and told them to redirect to xx address.

The boy I didnt have a clue where he was and I kept getting parking fines sent here. One day a debt collector did turn up, i explained the situation to him, showed him my tenancy agreement with my name on and he was happy enough with that.

I think he eventually got caught as I've not had anything here since. I know debt collectors caught up witht he girl as she used to ring and ask to borrow money.

climbgirl

The friend's not in any money trouble at all, quite the opposite! I think she's just careless about payment dates and things now that she lives on the other side of the world. I know it's easily done, I missed a couple of credit card payments myself when I moved to the UK, it just slips your mind.

I'm just a bit concerned what with the current climate in the banking industry here about them chasing it. It's unlikely they will for such a minor amount, but you never know! And it's good to know what to do to protect myself in case they do come knocking!