Just moved in

epsilon_2

Help I have just moved into a new rented house, i have no promblems with the landlord my problem is that he ballifs are knocking for old tennent. it has got tothe point i scared to leave just in case they get in. How can i stop this as i have no way of knowing who the previous temment owed money to. i have done everything in my power to change the council tax and uttiles into our names. but there could be so many others places the previous tennent is in debt to. that i just would not no about. how long will i have to wait before i can have a good nights sleep. so i can stop worring everytime someone knocks on my door. its not my debt but it has become my problem.

what can i do???

Doozergirl

Have you showed them ID and proved to them that you are not the previous tenant?

If there is any post for them, I know you are not supposed to, but I would open it and call the people concerned and inform them that they don't live there. Returning letters doesn't seem to work and it's fairly obvious that the tenants don't want their post :rolleyes:

Debt_Free_Chick

Bailiffs generally have no power to enter the property unless, exceptionally, they have been given power to do so by a Court. Nevertheless, you should ensure that all doors & windows are locked (anyway) when you go out, even though bailiffs cannot force entry into your property.

You have nothing to fear, as it's not your debt, but I accept that you have the inconvenience of having to deal with them.

Eventually they will go away, but they might take some persuading. All you can do is to keep the tenancy agreement handy so you can show them that you are the new tenant from such-and-such a date.

Is it the same firm of bailiffs each time? And are they trying to collect the same debt? Do you know who the debt is owed to? If you do, you could try writing to them to explain that you now occupy the property - even if you don't know the debtor's name, they should be able to trace the debt from the address and call the bailiffs off.

Debt_Free_Chick

Doozergirl wrote: »

If there is any post for them, I know you are not supposed to, but I would open it

Actually, it's OK to open post not addressed to you provided you have no intention of doing any harm. It's only if you intend to do something wrong/harmful or fraudulent by opening the post that you're committing an offence :j

charmed-imsure

OMG - same problem as I've had. Moved in 1st September this yr and a week later had 2 bailiffs at the door for last house owner (I rent and last owner sold the house to my landlord). I was mortified to open the door and find him in a pose ready to kick the door in and he told me I was lucky to open it when I did! I comlained to the company that sent them round anyway. I showed him my tenancy agreement and with that he strolled off like he owned the house and read my electric and gas meters. I looked up about bailiffs after this... He told me he had a court order to enter the property (before I had a chance to say I'm a new tenant) and apparently, the only time a bailiff can obtain a court order to enter a property is via inland revenue for taxes. No other body can obtain a court order apparently. Also, they must be well dressed ie: minimum shirt & tie & outfit, and they're not allowed to be rude to you. They are also not allowed to place a foot inside your door and they are not allowed in unless you invite them. But if you have a window or back door open they can walk in (which is bizarre to me!). There's a lot of rules about being a bailiff... I've opened all the mail from the last guy coz I'm tired of his bad debts and told every person that wrote that he doesn't live here. My issue with the last tenant is that he owns his own business and a confirmation was sent through last week about a renewal of his forwarding mail for his business so he's still using this address and using a 3rd party company to re-direct his business mail. Very naughty man...

charmed-imsure

And I'd just like to add (because I noticed something that may be offensive in what I write) is that I have nothing against anyone who has debts - goodness knows I've got enough on my plate! but this particular guy seems to still be behaving almost fraudulently - thats why I'm "tired of his debts"!!! They're building up and up and up and all the bills come here. I don't know how he's doing it but I'm unable to tracce him. He hasn't told inland revenue that he's moved and unfortunately he does have a fine to pay to them - so great - the only body that can obtain a court order and he owes them!!!

do_it_today!

Hi charmed-imsure on the redirection renewal form there is usually details of the new address for the post to be sent to...... thats what happened when I moved so I opened the letters and let them know where to send the letters on to