Can a debt collector enter my house?

jonbott

My ex moved out about a year ago,letters keep arriving for her,which I kindly popped through her door,anyway she`s gone away for a few months,so I put NOT AT THIS ADDRESS on them and stuck them back in the post, and some of these letters are from loans that she hasn`t paid etc,anyway as they are still arriving,I`m worried they may try to enter my address for her debts.....I have a dog that would not be impressed!

DullGreyGuy

"debt collector" covers a range of people and authorities under which they may be acting. Assuming its not been through the courts then they have no special powers at all and have no rights to go into anyone's home.

https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/debt-collection/bailiffs-and-debt-collectors-differences.aspx#:~:text=Debt collectors don't have,them or let them in. 

Once its a court order and bailiffs are involved, which physically could be the same person as a debt collector, then they start having more authority. If a High Court Writ is gained then again there is a step up in their powers but loans or debts subject to the CCA cannot be part of a high court writ.

Return the post as "Addressee Gone Away" and if you want shut of the matter quicker, provide their new address underneath. 

sourcrates

Hi,

Debt collectors have no more power than you or I do, they mainly work out of a call centre, some old-world collectors still knock-on doors, but not many, and they certainly do not possess any powers of entry, if anyone tries to enter your property, it`s called breaking and entering, and you would call the police.

You are confusing them with bailiffs, if a debt has had legal action taken, and had a CCJ awarded, sending round a bailiff is an option for a creditor, but not used much for consumer related debts.

Again, they have no right of entry for this type of debt, they could enter through an unlocked door, but they cannot force entry, so a locked door, keeps them out.

Debts are owed by an individual, they are not tied to any particular address, just keep doing what you're doing, you won`t have any bother.

sourcrates

DullGreyGuy said:

If a High Court Writ is gained then again there is a step up in their powers but loans or debts subject to the CCA cannot be part of a high court writ.

Once a creditor has obtained a CCJ, and the debt is over £600 and less than 6 years old, it can be escalated to the High court regardless of its origin.

Consumer credit act debts are not excluded from the High court, any debt over £600 can be transferred up for a small fee (usually around £60-70).