Bailliff Threats

[tray65]

Hi all,
I've only posted on this site once before. Hope someone can help.
I was in hospital on and off last year because i suffered a stroke and got behind on council tax. I'm a single parent andthe debt is for roughly £550.
I work full time when i am not on the sick.
Bristow and sutor called in january (i did NOT allow entry). I made an agreement o pay a ridiculous £60 a week!!!!!....Which i knew i couldn't afford but they insisted this was the minimum amount.
They called again today. My 18 year old daughter and her boyfriend were in. The bailliff insisted it was a court order and could come in. (My daughter refused him entry!!)
He then rang my place of work and said to my manager "we are baillifs sitting outside mrs XXX house we need to speak to her"
I rang him back and he said he had the right to come into my house and remove property if i didn't co-operate. I explained i was at work and couldn't leave.
He said "well neither will we!!!"
I finally agreed to ring him later to see what could be done. When i rang back he said it was too late and to ring the office as he was going back there.
What now????
HELP!!!!!

[tomtubby]

This is dreadful.

I am shocked that a bailiff would telephone your office as he did and further that he spoke as he did to your manager.

He CANNOT remove goods from your home unless he has previously levied upon goods which he would have listed on a Walking Possession.

I have sent you a private message.

[tray65]

Hi,
I haven't received a private message. Does it take time?
I'm hoping i've done the right things up until now...(have acted on advice read on here in the past)
Do i ring "Bristow and Sutor" tomorrow?
Or is it best to write to them?
No walking possesion has been signed...(incidentally the bailliff today told me he doesn't need a signature). So hope situation can be solved. I want to get this sorted...But can't afford what they ask...
I'm thinking of going to local CAB...Is this any good?
Advice much appreciated.

[tonycee]

Originally Posted by tray65

I haven't received a private message. Does it take time?

No, it should come through very quickly.

I'm hoping I've done the right things up until now..

You are doing fine. I have had a lot of dealings with B&S. They are themselves criminals hiding under a pretence law.

Do i ring "Bristow and Sutor" tomorrow?

No. Do everything in writing.

No walking possession has been signed...(incidentally the bailiff today told me he doesn't need a signature).

Dont EVER sign one.

Exactly what agreement did you come to when offering £60 per week.

I'm thinking of going to local CAB...Is this any good?

They, like most people, are quite ignorant of what bailiffs can and cant do.

Advice much appreciated.

Be strong, stand up to these bullies.

It CAN be done.

How to handle bailiffs.


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[gingernut65]

When you came to the £60 a week agreement did they make a list of your goods then? Have they ever, ever been in your home? If yes then unfortunately they can go in your home to seize goods but if not tell them to go whistle cos until theyve got in they can do nothing. Start paying the council direct online and bombard them with letters telling them what youve done and why. Tell them that you dispute the fee's the bailiffs are trying to charge, even if you dont it will buy you time to pay the bill. Good luck.

[tray65]

Hi there,
The agreement was only reached verbally over the phone with the telephonist at B&S..I was told once years ago that bailiffs are like vampires.........you should never invite them in....A gem of wisdom i've never forgotten.
I just hope to get it sorted asap....

[tray65]

Hi all,
Latest update to all this...I sent off a letter complaining about the bailif's behaviour. Til today had no reply..Today another pair turned up....This time threatening to levy on goods in the back garden (kids trampoline and their bikes)
I showed them a copy of the letter sent and promptly got told "you have five days and to pay in ful!....HELP!!
What now?????

[dottie30]

They cannot levy goods belonging to children. This is unlawful. You need to write a letter (fax it and mail special delivery to the bailiff firm and copy in the council) explaining that you are aware they are acting unlawfully in threatening to do this. In that letter, make it clear that bailiffs will not gain access to your property under any circumstances. Once you have faxed it to the bailiff company, phone them and make sure they have received it. On the phone (and in the letter); ask which court the bailiff got his certificate from and explain that you intend to complain to the court about his behaviour. (There's a link on this forum somewhere to a form you can use to do this).

[tomtubby]

I have had this company and others putting a levy on a wheelbarrow, childs plastic chair, old carpet in the garden etc. However our office is seeing more and more cases of the bailiff putting levy on............satellite dishes !!!!!


In your case I would send the letter once again by e-mail and advise the company that if you do not receive a response by the end of the week you will be sending a Form 4 compliant about the bailiff without any further reference to them.