Bailiffs have turned up at my parents

MeteredOut

Mightyowl said:

Exodi said:

Mightyowl said:
The enforcement company has now added £900 to the debt, supposedly for a visit made yesterday. However, I’ve spoken with a solicitor who believes that fee is excessive — especially since they didn’t actually visit my property, but instead went to my parents’ address. On that basis, this charge should be removed.

Have you provided your address then? In this thread I couldn't see that you have given a straight answer on this detail - I understand you've repeatedly informed them that you don't live at your parents address.

From reading between the lines it appears your parents address is on the writ and you are not forthcoming with your current address, hence why they are continuing enforcement action on the address stated in the writ. I'm suprised at the solicitors advice, in that regard.

(Sorry in advance if I'm incorrect on these assumptions).

I did provide an address but the address I provided belongs to a friend. I do not reside there on a permanent basis, as I am currently without a fixed address and stay with various friends. I am classed as homeless at present.

Is your friend aware of that? If not, its probably best to let them know to expect a visit and to be able to prove ownership of any items of value at that address.

ManyWays

Can I ask what other debts you have? As it may be best to look at more permanent ways of sorting this debt out, such as a Debt Relief Order. It's normally best to already have a place to live for a DRO as it makes it hard to get a private tenancy, but that will already be very difficult with a CCJ on your credit record. 

Mightyowl

Exodi said:

Mightyowl said:
The enforcement company has now added £900 to the debt, supposedly for a visit made yesterday. However, I’ve spoken with a solicitor who believes that fee is excessive — especially since they didn’t actually visit my property, but instead went to my parents’ address. On that basis, this charge should be removed.

Have you provided your address then? In this thread I couldn't see that you have given a straight answer on this detail - I understand you've repeatedly informed them that you don't live at your parents address.

From reading between the lines it appears your parents address is on the writ and you are not forthcoming with your current address, hence why they are continuing enforcement action on the address stated in the writ. I'm suprised at the solicitors advice, in that regard.

(Sorry in advance if I'm incorrect on these assumptions).

This was our first interaction with the bailiffs—there’s been no prior contact. All correspondence from Commsave has been returned marked ‘no longer at this address.’ I had no prior warning of any High Court Writ, and it’s not my responsibility to provide an address for a situation I was unaware of until yesterday.

Mightyowl

MeteredOut said:

Mightyowl said:

Exodi said:

Mightyowl said:
The enforcement company has now added £900 to the debt, supposedly for a visit made yesterday. However, I’ve spoken with a solicitor who believes that fee is excessive — especially since they didn’t actually visit my property, but instead went to my parents’ address. On that basis, this charge should be removed.

Have you provided your address then? In this thread I couldn't see that you have given a straight answer on this detail - I understand you've repeatedly informed them that you don't live at your parents address.

From reading between the lines it appears your parents address is on the writ and you are not forthcoming with your current address, hence why they are continuing enforcement action on the address stated in the writ. I'm suprised at the solicitors advice, in that regard.

(Sorry in advance if I'm incorrect on these assumptions).

I did provide an address but the address I provided belongs to a friend. I do not reside there on a permanent basis, as I am currently without a fixed address and stay with various friends. I am classed as homeless at present.

Is your friend aware of that? If not, it’s probably best to let them know to expect a visit and to be able to prove ownership of any items of value at that address.

I’ve made them aware yes, but he’s emigrating to America for work next month and his tenancy agreement ends on the 28th of this month. 

Mightyowl

ManyWays said:

Can I ask what other debts you have? As it may be best to look at more permanent ways of sorting this debt out, such as a Debt Relief Order. It's normally best to already have a place to live for a DRO as it makes it hard to get a private tenancy, but that will already be very difficult with a CCJ on your credit record. 

I wasn’t aware of DROs, but I’ll do some research. I currently have the Commsave debt and an additional £1,500 outstanding on a credit card.

enthusiasticsaver

I think your housing situation is more important than this debt.  Have you contacted Shelter or the local authority to register you are homeless and in ill health.  

Mightyowl

enthusiasticsaver said:

I think your housing situation is more important than this debt.  Have you contacted Shelter or the local authority to register you are homeless and in ill health.  

I haven’t tbh, I will look into it now. 

rich184

fatbelly said:

This case reinforces our view that Credit Union debts are pursued aggressively and people in financial difficulty should not use them

The credit union model is that they lend other members savings.  That is why they pursue outstanding loans.  Credit unions often have a much wider risk appetite than mainstream lenders, and will often lend to those who are excluded from credit elsewhere.   

I’ve been a member of credit unions for many years and I’ve seen how they support people through hard times.  They understand people’s circumstances can change and I know they offer forbearance measures such as stopping interest, giving payment holidays and rescheduling loans.  The credit market caters very well for those with perfect credit histories.  It’s estimated there are 17m people excluded from fair credit and credit unions help plug that gap.  

sourcrates

rich184 said:

fatbelly said:

This case reinforces our view that Credit Union debts are pursued aggressively and people in financial difficulty should not use them

The credit union model is that they lend other members savings.  That is why they pursue outstanding loans.  Credit unions often have a much wider risk appetite than mainstream lenders, and will often lend to those who are excluded from credit elsewhere.   

I’ve been a member of credit unions for many years and I’ve seen how they support people through hard times.  They understand people’s circumstances can change and I know they offer forbearance measures such as stopping interest, giving payment holidays and rescheduling loans.  The credit market caters very well for those with perfect credit histories.  It’s estimated there are 17m people excluded from fair credit and credit unions help plug that gap.  

Yes, no argument there, but some are more litigious than others, as has been born out by peoples stories on this forum, they operate in a high risk business, so its only to be expected.

But taking legal action against those least able to pay, to my mind is pointless, especially when it comes to aggressive enforcement of that debt, instructing a bailiff, and adding several hundred pounds in statutory fee`s isn`t going to help anyone now is it.

I would expect the likes of certain debt purchasing companies to use such tactics, not a credit union.

ManyWays

rich184 said:

The credit union model is that they lend other members savings.  That is why they pursue outstanding loans.  Credit unions often have a much wider risk appetite than mainstream lenders, and will often lend to those who are excluded from credit elsewhere.   

I’ve been a member of credit unions for many years and I’ve seen how they support people through hard times.  They understand people’s circumstances can change and I know they offer forbearance measures such as stopping interest, giving payment holidays and rescheduling loans.  The credit market caters very well for those with perfect credit histories.  It’s estimated there are 17m people excluded from fair credit and credit unions help plug that gap.  

That is the view CUs put forward. But most debt advisers would agree with @fatbelly that they can be very aggressive in a debt collection situation, faster to go to court fior a CCJ and even to send round high court bailiffs. And often their loans arent even cheap.