balifss

jen0dorf

Hi

apologies if this is not the correct forum. - was advised to move this question to this forums

My son has split with his partner - in reality she has locked him out of their rented home.

They have debts of around £8000 which I suspect they have no easy means of paying including Council Tax, electricity, gas, rent etc etc.

It looks like he will be moving in with my wife and I for the forseeable future.

If a Baliff/Debt Collector calls are they allowed entry to my home and can they seize my property - like most people I do not have receipts for everything purchased over the last 45 years of marriage.

Do I let the bailiffs in out of politeness or just send them away

Would appreciate any advice as this is a new experience for both my wife and I

thanks

Ian

National_Debtline

Hi Ian


I can understand your concerns but there's a few things to know that will put your mind at ease. First of all debt collection agencies (DCAs) are not bailiffs and have no special powers. Home visits are rare as there is nothing they can do when they get there. You would simply ask them to leave.

Bailiffs can only be used once they have been authorised by a court. Your son should be given 7 days notice before a home visit and in almost every case they do not have the right to force entry unless they have been inside previously. Keep doors locked and never let a bailiff in. Once they're inside they're much harder to deal with. They're not allowed to take your goods but it can be hard to prove who owns what.


One notable exception is a bailiff collecting a magistrates' court fine, but even then it is very rare they actually use their right to force entry. The advice is still not to let them in. I'd recommend your son seeks advice on his options from one of the free debt advice agencies as there may well be ways he can help stop the debts even getting to bailiff stage. I hope it all goes well.


Susie
@natdebtline

tallyhoh

and tell him to get his name off the tenancy etc if he's on

DCFC79

If your son is in when they call then he can speak to them if he wants, can even get a payment plan setup if he chooses.

D_M_E

If he was also responsible for paying council tax he needs to tell the council he no longer lives there and is no longer responsible for the bill.

Also, if the energy, water, phone and broadband accounts were in his name he must also contact each and every one of them and tell them he has moved out from x date and is no longer responsible for bills from that date - ask for landline/broadband to be cut off, the rest will move to the occupier.

With regard to rent, if he is named as a joint tenant then i believe he is still liable for the rent if the ex refuses to pay - if the ex is the sole named tenant then it's up to them.

Any mobile contracts which he is paying for I would suggest also be cancelled.

As for the £8000 debt he should work out who is responsible for what and try and work at clearing his share.

He should also get any joint credit cards cancelled ASAP and if any joint bank accounts get the bank(s) to block if possible to stop overuse charges.