Reply to: The Baliffs - What Next?

[Beefy198]

I appreciate you wanting to waste their time, but I would get in touch with the council/court and get it sorted pronto.

[EternalOptimist]

Ops! You've now acknowledged the debt. They won't let go now. I'd move your plans to leave the country up a bit if I were you.

sounds like he's not a stranger to a bit of ag though.
good on him

[HairyArsedBloke]

The "threatening" letters started a while ago and we're now up to visits to the house. Its probably not helped by the fact that all letters I get I post back with "Game On" scribbled on the top of the letter.

Ops! You've now acknowledged the debt. They won't let go now. I'd move your plans to leave the country up a bit if I were you.

[conned tractor]

Bailiff's powers are actually quite limited.

However they do play it up and will often give the impression that they have the powers of Stalin - and most people cave in very quickly.

By all means, wind them up, but at the same time don't be complacent. In the end, they do it day-in, day-out and you're an amateur at this whereas they know all the tricks - their income depends on it.

They don't necessarily play by the rules though.

Mate of mine has umpteen warnings about his tv license/licence (?) although he has one. There is either a similar address which doesn't have one or they have an adderss on their database that doesn't exist which is similar.

Anyway, he was at his home during a day with his 4 year old son and gets a knock at the door. Answers door and two big muthers try barging into his flat (his has direct door to outside and you can clearly see the telly through the front window). He ended up having a bit of a rumble with these two blokes thinking he was getting done over fforcing them back out of the doorway. He had hurt his arm in the process but managed to keep them on the other side of the door. So the two blokes are now shouting through the door that they are here because they can see he his watching tv and he doesn't have a tv license. Tells them where to go and that he does have a licence - phones police and they are not interested, phone tv licencing people who are not in the least bit interested. Tried to complain after and it fell on deaf ears. And still now he gets the warnings that he doesn't have a tv licence. He was quite pleased though that he thinks he hurt one of them in the little rumble in the doorway.

But yes I agree their powers are actually very limitted just that they abuse their position quite often.

[centurian]

Bailiff's powers are actually quite limited.

However they do play it up and will often give the impression that they have the powers of Stalin - and most people cave in very quickly.

By all means, wind them up, but at the same time don't be complacent. In the end, they do it day-in, day-out and you're an amateur at this whereas they know all the tricks - their income depends on it.

[EternalOptimist]

Serious point, Bailiffs are almost Crown property and have special protection under the law similar to Policmen. Assaulting a bailiff is not like thumping a neighbour.

When the bailiffs arrive they are often accompanied by Police.

This is not to protect YOU, this is to protect the bailiffs

[Paddy]

You've never met SP, have you? I think even the mightiest bailiff would quail at the sight of him

Serious point, Bailiffs are almost Crown property and have special protection under the law similar to Policmen. Assaulting a bailiff is not like thumping a neighbour.

[NickFitz]

I would be very careful matey! Bailifs tend to be big guys and you may end up getting a good shoeing when you least expect. I tend to only wind up people I know I can take.

You've never met SP, have you? I think even the mightiest bailiff would quail at the sight of him

[Paddy]

According to the written threats I received here, the bailiffs must have been trying it on.

But those threats sounded pretty real to me. What if my landlord had previously granted them legal entry?

My other advice about visiting the court and writing to the Financial Director concerned still stands.

Very good point, or they get hold of a key.

[DimPrawn]

I would be very careful matey! Bailifs tend to be big guys and you may end up getting a good shoeing when you least expect. I tend to only wind up people I know I can take.

Like sasguru? Little weedy types that everyone laughs at?

[mr_woo]

I would be very careful matey! Bailifs tend to be big guys and you may end up getting a good shoeing when you least expect. I tend to only wind up people I know I can take.

[Sysman]

see my link - Paddy is wrong and so are you.

According to the written threats I received here, the bailiffs must have been trying it on.

But those threats sounded pretty real to me. What if my landlord had previously granted them legal entry?

My other advice about visiting the court and writing to the Financial Director concerned still stands.

[Paddy]

According to this they won't be breaking into your home to recover a council tax debt.

It’s as wrong as it is right.

This is not a comprehensive list.

Bailiffs can break in if:
It is a second home (very wide definition)
Any commercial property at any time. (is your office at home?)
If you are living else where (very wide definition eg: working away from home, working abroad etc)
Bailiffs can break in if the debt goes through the High Court or Supreme Court.
Bailiffs can break in they apply to the High Court for an order to do so.
If it’s Council Tax, the Council can apply for a Penal Order, (order you to go to prison) and then enter your property.

See also:
Powers
Under the provisions of the Sheriffs Act 1887, if a sheriff finds any resistance in the execution of a writ he shall "take with him the power of the county" (known as Posse comitatus ), and shall go in proper person to do execution, and may arrest the resisters and commit them to prison, and every such resister shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.[14]

[Platypus]

However, as Paddy points out, you could come home one day to find that they have been and taken your stuff.

see my link - Paddy is wrong and so are you.

[Sysman]

Tell them that this guy owes you, sockpuppet, 5k£ and you are willing to let them have the debt for 500

then get the dent fixed

Pure class.

However, as Paddy points out, you could come home one day to find that they have been and taken your stuff. I'd suggest a 2 pronged approach:

• Go to the court in person and tell them that you aren't responsible for the council tax. Mention the bailiffs. If you get a friendly reception, mention the insurance incident - you are "concerned about their honesty"
• Write to the Financial Director of the council concerned telling him that you aren't responsible for the bill. Mention the bailiffs, and tell the FD that they are pursuing the wrong person.

Don't try to get emotional with either party, be professional all the way.