Baliffs came this morning!!!!!!

LauraLooDFWB

Baliffs called at a differnt adress for me this morning!!!:eek: :eek: I HAVE TO PAY THEM ALL THE MONEY TODAY! i DINT EVEN KNOW THEY WERE COMING!!!
We dnt have any money to pay them! I dnt know what to do!!! help!

HBFS

Calm down. If you cannot pay, phone the baliff company (I assume you have their number). Explain that you are taking steps to repay the debt and are in contact with the company over repayment. Then contact the company in question and try to thrash something out. Sounds a bit simple, I know. But I've known a few friends who have had this trouble and this is what worked for them! Hopefully it'll work for you!

Burlesque_Babe

Do they have a court order to enter the property? Lock the windows and doors and call either the bailiff company or the court.

How much is the debt? Who is it payable to? Who are the debt management company who (I presume) you were dealing with at your last address.

GettingThingsDone

Hi Laura - I agree with the posters above.

Also can you post up as much info as you can in this thread please.

Good luck!
gtd

immoral_angeluk

H hun, calm down and put the kettle on. Like others have said you need to call either them or the original creditor and sort out a payment plan. Did you open the door to them? If so they can now enter your address even when you're not there but if you didn't DO NOT LET THEM IN! Call the company ASAP.

fermi

As said, talk to the original creditor or the bailiffs.

Call National Debtline - Tel: 0800 808 4000 for expert advice.

And read through all the info at:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10034289

and

http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/identify_problem/bailiff_problems.htm

In particular:

Can a bailiff force his/her way into my house?

Most bailiffs do not have the right to force their way into your home to seize your goods. The only exception is that bailiffs from the Collector of Taxes (Inland Revenue) can get a warrant to force entry, but this is very rare. All other bailiffs have a right of peaceful entry only. This means that they cannot use force to enter your home, for example, by breaking a window or a door. However, they can enter your property through an open door or window (front and back) and can climb over fences and gates, but cannot break them down. See also ''If a bailiff does gain peaceful entry to my house, what will they do?''

You do not have to let a bailiff into your house. A bailiff cannot force their way past you if you answer the door. If all your doors and windows are securely closed they will not be able to gain peaceful entry to your house unless you let them in.

Bailiffs are well aware of their limited powers and may use a variety of different means to gain entry peaceably. They may attempt to walk in as soon as a door is opened. They may ask if they can use your telephone to check if an arrangement is satisfactory with their office. They may simply ask you if you would prefer to discuss matters inside. You do not have to go along with any of these methods.

What should I do if a bailiff is about to visit my home?

Remember you do not have to let a bailiff into your house or flat. If you make sure that all doors and windows are locked, the bailiff will not be able to gain access to your home. If they cannot get in, they cannot lawfully seize goods. A bailiff may call a number of times to try and gain entry. Eventually they will return the warrant to the court or local authority if they are unable to gain entry, or you do not have enough goods to pay off the debt and fees.

Secondly, get the matter out of the hands of the bailiff and back to the county court, local authority or creditor. The next paragraph tells you how to do this.

If the debt is an unpaid county court judgment you can apply to the court to stop (''suspend'') the warrant and vary the instalments you were ordered to pay by the court. You can apply to do this on form N245, available from the court. The form asks for details of your income and outgoings with a few personal details such as whether you work. You will have to pay a fee at the court (currently £30), unless you are getting income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance or tax credits*. You may have to show proof that you are receiving these benefits.

(*You must have a gross annual income of £14213 or less and receive both working tax credit AND child tax credit, or working tax credit with a 'disability element' or a 'severe disability element'. Your tax credit award notice will contain this information)

The fee can also be waived if you are on a low income and payment of the fee would involve undue financial hardship. Applications for a fee reduction or waiver are dealt with entirely on an individual basis according to circumstance and there are no precise guidelines about when a fee should or should not be reduced or waived. In either case you must complete Form Ex160 and send or take it to the court with the N245.

Some county courts may refuse to suspend a warrant of execution until a walking possession agreement has been signed. This goes against guidance issued by the Lord Chancellors Department and if it happens to you seek further advice.

If bailiffs are collecting unpaid council tax it is often difficult to negotiate instalment payments with the bailiff or the local authority until the warrant is returned or withdrawn from the bailiff. However, you should try to negotiate instalment payments with the local authority and encourage them to withdraw the warrant from the bailiff. It is important to make clear that although you are unwilling to let the bailiff in, you are willing to make instalment payments at a rate that you can afford.

And again, post as much info as you feel you can so that people can help you further.

rayday2

Please be careful baliffchaser runs a company that makes money from baliff problems the national debthelpline or local CAB are great for advice and impartial.

What is the debt for because if its council tax the advice can be different from just say a loan or credit card?

immoral_angeluk

I'm not getting on your back.... you just can't be too careful with giving out personal details nowadays.. we all know what these companies are capable of...

rayday2

Hence they RING national debthelpline a charity with experts who work within the law! Also CAB who will physically represent people. Both of which expect nothing for there trouble!

BAILIFFCHASER

Exactly my point before i had a run in myself.

In_Search_Of_Me

Sorry that you are in this situation. All I can suggest at this stage is ring CCCS or one of the free agencies for some advice. I'm not sure what action you have taken in regards to debt - ie do you know what its for, have you tried to come to an arrangement with the company etc? Hard to advise without concrete figures and information TBH...
Hugs for you.