Advice on Bailiff Letter sought please

Billy_Dandy

A person known to me who has severe mental health issues, has received the attached letter today.

They are under the Community Mental Health Team and a consultant Psychiatrist and have been hospitalised numerous times in the last 20 years, under the Mental Health Act.

From the letter, on the face of it, they have not paid debts (these are CCA Debts; no tax, council tax, court fines etc.) and have just ignored all correspondence.

They have made contact with National Debtline today and are awaiting a call back. That may be tomorrow.

A CCJ has been issued, apparently. They have paid court fees for something, should have been over £600? But they only had to pay a fraction of that, their only income being PIP and UC. However, they are not sure what it is they have paid for. Possibly a court processing fee. Like I said, they are not very well.

Any advice that I can pass on please?

Thanks as always.

ManyWays

The court name and telephone number look genuine.
Cabot would usually have got a judgment through the Civil National Business Centre (CNBC), but for biliffs, this then goes to the local county court.

I am a bit suspicious though as some of the language seems old style… and the payment is made to the court not the individual bailiff from what I remember (it has been a while since I have seen one of these). @fatbelly have you seen any recent examples?

I suggest your friend should first check Registry Trust to see if there is a CCJ against him for roughly that amount: https://www.trustonline.org.uk/. Doing this now will help their conversation with National Debtline tomorrow.

I am also a bit twitchy about him getting a call back from National Debtline. What number did he call, was it 0808 808 4000? They don't usually promise to call back if he couldn't get through. He needs to be sure he is speaking to the REAL National Debtline.

fatbelly

This is only the court bailiff. Phone them and tell them what you have told us. Also that Mr X will not be granting them access to his house and has no assets outside.

Most court bailiffs are fine to deal with. It will just get sent back to Cabot

Billy_Dandy

@fatbelly

Thanks FatBelly. Your reply is much appreciated. Can they actually 'force entry' as per the letter? I was under the impression that they could olny enter through an open door.

Billy_Dandy

@ManyWays Thanks ManyWays. Much appreciated.

The individual involved states that they did indeed ring the number you posted. Nobody has rung back thus far.

fatbelly

No they can't force entry on an initial visit. However if you let them in and they list goods then they can force entry on a subsequent visit to access listed goods. That's what that sentence means

ManyWays

Does he have a car parked in the street or on his driveway?

Billy_Dandy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82091334#Comment_82091334

No, there is no vehicle. They have little of value. Most of the furniture is second hand. It interested me that the letter said the bailiff could take the sky box. #if you have one, it belongs to Sky during contract and they have to be returned afterwards, I thought.

fatbelly

Yes that's true in most cases.

Billy_Dandy

Thank you all for your responses. The matter has been dealt with. After ringing the court bailiff and explaining the medical situation, the court bailiff has offered to set up a payment plan without the need for visiting the address.

No further responses required.

Thank you again.