Bailiff removal notice Help

aroma44

Can anyone help I have moved into rented accom and have been receiving bailiff letters for various debts from the previous tennant, my agent said forward all the post to them and he will deal with it. Today I was sick of it so I opened the letters, both are Bailiff removal notices for two different debts saying they are coming to the property this weekend. I went to my property agent he had the whole pile of letters I'd forwarded but had not done anything with them. They told me to stay in at the weekend so I could sort it out and prove who I am, not as easy as it might seem as I am Mrs Rachel Marie and the debtor is Miss Rachel Mary. I phone the biliffs (EQUITA) and they said I needed to send a utility bill in my name but when I told them the Mrs R M thing they said that would not surfice. I really am at my wits end I have never been i trouble with debt collectors and don't have a forwarding address for the previous tennant.

Any help and advice would be gratefully received, Rachel

MrsTinks

Have a proof of ID there and a copy of your tenancy agreement - this will be sufficient to prove you are NOT the debtor and they should go away and not return. Give them the details of the letting agent as they should have a forwarding address.
Don't worry! They can't touch you and you have done everything correctly! The post has been forwarded to the lettings agent as the tenant failed to set up RM forwarding.

floss2

Do you have the same surname as the previous tenant?

I would think that all you need is to have a proof of identity such as passport / driving licence and a copy of your tenancy agreement to prove that you have only just moved in. Then if anyone does come at weekend (do bailiffs work weekends?) show them that.

MrsTinks

floss2 wrote: »

Do you have the same surname as the previous tenant?

I would think that all you need is to have a proof of identity such as passport / driving licence and a copy of your tenancy agreement to prove that you have only just moved in. Then if anyone does come at weekend (do bailiffs work weekends?) show them that.

I don't think she does but the problem is the initials are the same and the first names are - with one being Miss and the new tenant being Mrs they might just assume she is using her married name to get out of the debt.

Definitely have your pasport and or driving license there as well as your tenancy agreement. That should prove you have only been in the flat for a short period of time and also prove your identity is not that of the previous tenant. Then I'd have some ruddy strong words with the lettings agent! To expect you to remain at home all weekend is riddiculous! They should have done their jobs and forwarded the post!

rayday2

I thought the onus was actually on the baliffs to ensure they have the right person, I could be wrong here but if you have some recognised identity items to hand, keep them on the doorstep and if they refuse to listen shut the door and tell them you are calling the police.

tattycath

I used to rent a house and when I first moved in I kept getting letters for the previous tenant. I kept forwarding them to my landlady and after a month or so she said 'just throw them away, I haven't got an address for her. So I opened the letters I still had and all of them were from people chasing debts. I rang all the people on the letters and said i was not the person they were looking for and that they had moved but I knew not where. I even had a threatening phone call from a debt collector. I told him I had no address for her but if I managed to get hold of it I would forward it to him (i never did)
Luckily for me I was believed by all debt collectors after they had asked me questions about when i moved in, who my landlord was, when the lady in wquestion had moved out. I had been in the house for 2 months before I realised I was paying her debt on the electric meter!!!!!
Sorry, I digress. I think it's disgusting that your letting agent expects you to sort this mess out. Surely you have a right to not let the bailiffs in??? They can't force entry (as far as I am aware) Good luck anyway

aroma44

floss2 wrote: »

Do you have the same surname as the previous tenant?

Then if anyone does come at weekend (do bailiffs work weekends?) show them that.

Oh Yes EQUITA work MON - SAT 6am till 8pm!

"Then I'd have some ruddy strong words with the lettings agent!" That was done this am and I have vodka planned for later.

Thanks to everyone I was rather worried being in a house with two kids on my own if the heavies turn up.... think I've been watching too much TV maybe!!

RAS

Hi

Unless they have a court order, they are not entitled to enter the house without your consent.

Do not open the door, as some of the barstewards (as seen on TV) have bene known to push passed despite the fact that it is illegal. keep the windows shut as well.

I would suggest you have a chat with the neighbours so they know the situation and maybe even call the local police station non-emergency number to ask advice.

if they turn up, tell them to go away and if they refuse, call the police and refer to your previous call. They have no right to enter.

Definately write a letter of complaint to the landlord and the letting agent, this is outrageous.

dotstar24

RAS wrote: »

Hi

Unless they have a court order, they are not entitled to enter the house without your consent.

Do not open the door, as some of the barstewards (as seen on TV) have bene known to push passed despite the fact that it is illegal. keep the windows shut as well.

I would suggest you have a chat with the neighbours so they know the situation and maybe even call the local police station non-emergency number to ask advice.

if they turn up, tell them to go away and if they refuse, call the police and refer to your previous call. They have no right to enter.

Definately write a letter of complaint to the landlord and the letting agent, this is outrageous.

I think thats a good idea. the bailiffs are nothing to do with you. if someone turns up at your door demanding entry, call the police and tell them someone is acting suspiciously outside your house.

aroma44

Thank you to everyone for all the top tips. I have been to my local police station and spoken to them they were very helpful and said just talk to them outside and any sign of aggression then to phone. I also have a letter from my letting agent stating when I took on the property as my tennancy agreement has my bank account details - not a wise move! My neighbour is aware as I have to go out for about an hour just incase they break in and start loading up their lorry. To top it all though another removal notice arrived this am for a different debt! All for council tax in three different areas!

Thank you again everyone has been so helpful :T