bailiff Hell

mrlav

Hi,

Two massive aggressive dudes came round to my house (I rent in a house share with 2 others) while I was away.

They claimed that I hadn't paid a parking fine (more about this later...).

Then they told my house mates that they were entiled to take away anthing they wanted, including my flatmates stuff. My house mates were so intimidated that they paid the bailiff £500 to get them to leave with taking theres and the landladys belongings!

Looking at the recipt they left it reads:


Debt to Client: £155
Bailiffs Cost: £62.74
Attendence to remove / removal costs: £240

TOTAL: 510

Now I understand that I should have sorted the ticket a while back, this I accept. I also understand the debt to client and Bailiffs cost, but they didn't remove anything so how can they claim the removal costs?

Also does anyone know what rights they have etc? Do you think its worth going to the Citizens Avice center?

Thanks for any comments/adivce etc.

MrLav

geordie_joe

mrlav wrote: »

Attendence to remove / removal costs: £240

TOTAL: 510

Now I understand that I should have sorted the ticket a while back, this I accept. I also understand the debt to client and Bailiffs cost, but they didn't remove anything so how can they claim the removal costs?

The key words are attendance to remove. They make the charge just for turning up whether they actually removing anything or not. In other words, they charge you when the come out even if they don't do anything but take the payment.

For future reference, they can't take goods that belong to other people, they can't force their way into your home, although I think they can walk in if the door is unlocked.

Pops off to check something..................

Just dug up this link which may help people in similar situations

http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/debt_basics/bailiff-guide.htm

mrbadexample

The total of the costs mentioned is £457.74.

maninthestreet

Assuming these were indeed bailiffs, and not a debt collection agency trying to put the frighteners on you, they would be acting on behalf of the Courts, and there is court order against you for this debt. Did you let them into the property?

mrlav

Geordie Joe, thanks for the link I will check it out.

MrBadexample, I think I missed out the VAT.

Maninthestreet, I was away at the time and they caught my bleary eyed house mates at 0730 AM, and threatend to take all the stuff.

Does this now mean I will have a county court judgement againts me and make it hard to get credit mortgage etc?

Cheers

lainey_stardust

hi there, whoever they were, bailiffs or debt collectors, they are not allowed to discuss the debt with anyone but you. They have acted aggressively and unreasonably and you should complain. You should have received a letter warning of their visit, that would tell you if they are bailiffs or not. All Bailiffs have a code of conduct and in my experience (job related ) Court bailiffs are easier to deal with and would not behave like this because they are salaried and not paid by results/bonus driven.
Debt Collectors are answerable to the Consumer Credit Service and the OFT and you can complain to either of them AND the people they are acting on behalf of ( in this case , the Fines Officer for the court that issued the fine)
They should not have taken this money from your friends and I really think you should not take this lying down.