Hi everyone I have had a letter from DWP saying " WE ARE REVIEWING YOUR BENEFIT CLAIM. We will be visiting your home so you can keep us up to date.... ... we will be visiting you at your home to talk about any changes that could affect your benefits We will need you to provide us with the information listed on page 2 ( ID and bank statement) so we can make sure you are getting everything you should. There is no department stated on the letter just from DWP... .the person who signed its just their name no job title or dept. We are having serious issues with a person who is making our life hell atm. I get ESA support group and DLA. There is two things they may have complained about . ... firstly that my husband doesnt live here but I claim for him. He does but due to personal issues he doesnt go out etc so no one sees him around and about. Secondly I have 2 children in higher education. My daughter has her own little business she does from home... I did check with DWP etc if it would affect my benefits they said no as any money either child earns is theirs These were the 2 issues that this person apparently " has issues with " Both can be proved to be false. ..I only have one bank account that my money goes in to ..so statements will be ready for them to look at, no savings or anything. And of course my husband will be here, well upstairs but available if needed. Im wondering with the wording on the letter and being no department would it be that someone is still causing trouble, or as I know can happen a routine check? I did ring and ask but they said they cant give out information what its about. The visit is tomorrow, no specific time just between 9-3. Thank you

Back in July I bought a ticket at Richmond station (Zone 1-4 travelcard) and travelled into Waterloo I used the ticket to enter the platform (The barriers are 99% in use at the station and always at the time travelled i.e. 17.30). Once I arrived at Waterloo and upon getting to the barriers I realised I no longer had the ticket. I approached the attendant and explained the situation he then instructed me to see the Enforcement officer. Having been once bitten (not enough balance on my oyster on one occasion four years ago) I considered just using my oyster to go through but stupidly thought I would be able to put my point across. Once getting there I was told a) I was liable for a £20 fine b) i had to buy another ticket. I explained that i'd bought the travel card using a credit card and could provide the statement as proof. Since then i have sent an appeal letter into Iracs, accompanied by proof of transaction and the appeal was rejected on the basis it arrived at the office after their deadline (the fact they backdate all of their correspondence a minimum of 7 days makes this a touch ironic). To summerise I replied that I will wait for them to refer it back to SWT and deal with them - I have now received an letter from Capital Resolve threatening a home visit and am debating whether to just pay the £90 fine. At the same time I would hate to give a penny to a bullying debt recovery agency without it absolutely being the best option. Having read a few of the other threads on this site and it would appear much of the advise is to pay the fine that said I have not found a case where a ticket was bought and lost on route. I have approached SWT separately but as expected they have said they cannot discuss any matters of a penalty fare (very quick response time) and I then asked separate to this specific fine - do they have access to a time stamped transaction history at the station? (asked twice - with no response at all) My personal view is that I am not in the wrong at all and would hope once this is referred I can actually put forward my case - equally i don't want to risk a mark on my record if the odds are against me. Any advise or experiences anyone might be able to provide would be greatly received.

My wife and I are approaching 70 and receive Pension Credit. A few years ago we had a terrible experience when I was summoned to an Interview Under Caution. We couldn't imagine what lay behind the allegation of fraud that was mentioned, but nevertheless I was rather fearful of a formal recorded interview and all that this implied. My wife however, who was not a strong woman, was very badly affected by stress and significant anxiety. This began when they would not pre-advise their concerns so that I could assemble whatever supportive material would be appropriate to have with me, and then grew much worse over almost ten further weeks of furnishing information followed by long silences before ultimately stating in a brief phone call and in a very offhand manner that they had actually dropped the matter a week or so earlier and would be writing to confirm. I understand entirely the need for due-process, and certainly for not giving deliberate fraudsters any wiggle room in advance of looking them in the eye. I could however have provided at the interview all of the particulars supplied in response to drip-feed requests across the subsequent many weeks, eliminating the anxiety-escalating long silences and saving everyone's time and my wife's perpetual distress and more. "Due-process" is not simply a step-plan to be followed for DWP's information-gathering needs, it also dismissively corrodes undeserving people's lives when followed with no discrimination. My wife was not the same woman after that experience nor has been since, despite there actually being nothing to answer and the matter dropped. A glib dismissal certainly did not reset the clock. I am not able to forgive. I tried, I really did. In view of this I hope someone can help me now with some information or guidelines on a new matter ... This morning I received a DWP letter notifying me that a Customer Compliance Officer will visit us at home next week. No particular purpose given just general phrases about possible changes of circumstance and ensuring correct entitlement, and about having bank documents etc available. I told my wife who now has a genuine dread of every brown envelope arriving, and she went ashen, sat down with her face in her hands and started sobbing, all those insecurities and fears instantly on the surface again. If anyone from any of these Departments is actually reading this and didn't understand what I was saying a few lines above, think what that past effect must have been to cause this so readily some years later. And you should be bothered by it. I have told my wife that it is just a box-ticking visit to make sure we aren't missing out, that it isn't an IUC, that there is no accusation/suspicion involved, however she simply sees that "IT" is about to happen all again beginning next week. What I would like help with now please is some real-world understanding solely for myself ... I have a hard time thinking that this is just a friendly benevolent chit-chat. I suspect there has to be some underlying purpose, some information-gathering for whatever reason and prompted by some itch they now need to be seen to scratch. I've absolutely no problem providing information, but it would be nice not to be deceived in the process. Clearly DWP does nothing for other than a self-serving purpose. Can anyone comment from experience about a Customer Compliance Officer's visit that they were subjected to? Benign? Or were you hit with an IUC letter shortly afterward whether justified or not? That won't help me to know the topic, and no doubt if they are quietly gathering information to possibly support some suspicion then I won't find any clues next week either, however just being aware of a different motive will help my focus on the day. I think you could say we are a pretty nice senior couple, have daily habits for walks and visits and shopping, we have nice neighbours, are clearly retired not career benefit-fraudsters and as far as I know nobody living near knows our affairs and that we receive benefits anyway. But I am sorry, DWP is NOT just coming for a cup of tea and checking we aren't missing some entitlement. I would like to be aware if it is known that these visits are an initial ploy, can you advise me at all so I can focus suitably when they visit? With thanks.

hi Folks, looking for some advice on what to to...possibly quite an urgent one I've had a visit today from "High Court Enforcement" (HCEO?), I wasn't in and they have left a letter, saying that I owe £2300 from an uppaid CCJ. Here's the problem.....I didn't know I had a CCJ! I know what the money is for, although it's more than doubled from the original ~£950 bill from Autoglass. Ultimately my insurance should be paying this, but I suspect this may be a side issue. I moved house about 6 months ago which may well be the reason why I was never informed about the CCJ, but I'm not really wanting to pay such an extortionate amount - yes, Autoglass should be paid, but the right amount. What's my best course of action here? The letter is threatening to remove goods (not letting anyone in the house would seem to prevent this), but I can't lock the house forever. Any help or advice?

hi all I have been fortunate enough to find work a year ago. Upon finding work I signed off JSA and that was that. However Ingues have been persistent to ask me for employer details etc. After missing calls,not replying to emails they sent me a letter telling me if I don't phone them back, they will visit my home to ask for a employment update. There is still a year left on my '2 year programme' that I signed. Should I just avoid the hassle and tell them or if they come tell them to p*ss off.

Cut a very long story short. Judgement against me £1700. Payable in 30 days. Incurring ground rent on flat as flat up for sale. Agreed with management company that when sold, CCJ and ground rent to be paid out of sale. sale fell through, next offers were too low to accept. Took house off the market. Now management companys sols are asking for 3k payable within 7 days. I have a funny feeling the Management Company will try and take it to up and a notch and appointment HCO to collect the debt. I have asked the MC solicitors for a payment plan but last time that happened they didnt accept it. This time i have asked for a reasonable payment plan to pay off the 3K and am more that happy to fill out a Application to Vary and Order. What can i expect for a £1700 CCJ from the HCO cost wise? Compliance 1st visit no entry all i can see is £75 charge. If I came to an arrangement with HCO would that take it to enforcement and incur additional fees? I will not be allowing entry to the HCO and work from home so in every day. Any help as happy to come to acceptable payment plan but the management company expect me to pay in full. Thanks

Dear Caggers, My friend has been claiming ESA (support group) and DLA for a few years now, after a severe stroke...... He lives with his mother (who is a pensioner) and cares for him. They had a random visit from a "multi benefit review officer" with no prior arrangement, however, my friends mother refused entry and they have to telephone to arrange a re-visit with both my friend and his mother in attendance. Obviously, to have an unannounced visit causes great anxiety. Could anyone clarify what this is for? Is it to do with ATOS medicals? My friend has never claimed carer's allowance as he thought he was not entitled to as its his mother and this is exempt......

Just a quick one, this is regarding my partner's debts which are a thread elsewhere, but she's mid applying for a DRO. All her debtors bar one have put everything on hold - Jacobs are just being greedy, inconsiderate and bullying. Got a letter today saying unless a payment offer is made (have been advised by the National Debtline NOT to make an offer as Jacobs are one of many creditors) they will send out a "Debt Collecting Agent". Now the previous letter threatened court action but she has received NO court letters so presumibly it hasn't been to court yet. But if I'm right in thinking, these "Debt Collecting Agent" have no rights whatsoever (unlike Court appointed Bailiffs) .. ? Will send a letter by return if this is indeed the case telling them there is a 7 month old child and my partner is alone with her during the day and this would cause her anxiety and distress. Am I right in thinking the above is right? These pre-court "Agents" have no legal rights to collect the debt? Many thanks.

Ive had a letter notifying me of a visit in just over a week, from a lady who wants to check im getting the correct housing benefit. Has anyone had a visit like this? i've never had one before, she wants to see my documents and ID. I claim housing benefit, CT reduction working tax and child tax credit.Her number and name is on the letter, including landline and mobile. The letter said its a random check.How many bank statements are they likely to need? im online for banking. Any experiences please of this type of visit?

Hi Hopefully someone on here can help me. I am on ESA and have been trying to get my medical done at home. I do not have anyone to come with me and cannot for reasons of safety travel to it alone. I have written to ATOS several times and asked them to contact my doctor, including on the initial review form they sent. I have been sent three interview dates for their offices, none of which I could attend. I then wrote to the DWP and asked them to make it happen. They simply ignored my request. After the last appointment I missed I received a letter telling me it is my responsibility to obtain confirmation of needing a home visit from my doctor and if I miss another appointment then I will have to furnish proof why I couldn’t attend or my benefit may be stopped. I wrote to my Doctor asking for a letter supporting a home visit and he wrote back informing me it is the responsibility of the DWPt o fullfill their contractual obligations with him and write to him themselves for the information as otherwise there will be quite a large fee for the letter. If they write it is free. They have sent another appointment at the Medical centre. My question is this - will my benefit be stopped automatically when I can’t attend, what can I do to stop this happening and do I have the right of appeal? Is my Doctor right in his advice to me? I intend to write and cancel the appointment but would like to know what I can do to ensure they do not stop my benefit. Do I have any legal rights that are not being met? How do I proceed. I have made it clear I am more than happy to for them to examine me, but it must be done at home in order for me to be able to do this. I am completely at a loss and have no idea what I will do if they stop my money as I am too ill to claim JSA I could not look for a job and so will not fulfil their criteria.. Many thanks for your help and apologies if I ramble. Also apologies if this is covered elsewhere but I tried searching for the info and couldn't find it. Best wishes Gerry

I have been on Pension Credit for about 5 years after doing the initial assessment. Thye have been amde aware of any changes in our circumstances and this is reflected on the documentation we get from them to confirm council and housing benefits. However yesterday we had a phone call from the DWP Pension credit people stating that they wish to visit us again next week and discuss the Pension Credit payment although there has been no change in circumstances and our savings are almost zilch. Last year when the company pension rules changed, we took a lump sum payment instead of the pension paying out over the years and if so it woudl have been about £30 a month maximum. I did also get a small inhertance of about £11,000 in January, but this was used to pay of a HP and a credit card and I think this is allowed under the current rules. As far as I am aware we have always kept them up to date on any changes etc so not sure if it is normal for them to do a check every couple of years? Either way we have nothing to hide from them and have always been upfront however with so many regulations, you never know. Hopefully we have nothing to be concerned about.

Hi there, I hope it's OK to post this issue here on a new thread. So my situation is this: Today, to my surprise, I received a letter to my house from Ingeus *shudders*. I have officially been off Ingeus for a year now, after completing their 2 year "programme" by April 2014. In this letter they are telling me that "we have a duty to contact you periodically" and that they've been "unable to reach you on the contact details we currently hold" so "therefore we are writing to you today to notify you that we intend to visit you at home to obtain an update". Are you serious?! I haven't heard anything from these people for over a year and now they're going to visit my house? Can anybody tell me what rights I have because I feel that this is harassment. I actually signed off welfare early when I was with them because of their harassment (I'm back on now) but this is a step further in coming to visit my house. They've left a number to call to "let us know whether you are looking for work and if you would like support, or if you are already working". I would call this number but I feel that I shouldn't be obliged to tell them anything and that they have no right to know my business, since I'm not even on their programme. Do they expect to be on my case for the rest of my life? And can anyone here offer advice as to the best course of action to take? If they show up at my door I plan on telling them to p*ss off and will happily get the police involved if they persist. Many thanks.

Hi all having a few problems Had a liability order against me and the OH I accept no probs, I have defaulted on the agreement with the council as money dried up and had to choose between food and heat or paying, I have paid just over 1/3 £950.00 remains They have given me 14 days from 15-12-10 to pay in full.or they will pass to the Baliffs. they go on to tell be about the Admin & enforcement act amended 2006 From what I have read on the forum this does not sound right.( some is but not all) 1st no distress 24.50 2nd 18.00 leveying distress 24.50 for 1st 100 24% 100-400 4% 400-1500 no need to go on as £950 then Walking Possession 12.00 Close Possession 15.00 per day it says these are fix by law at the end it states If the baliffs are unsucessful, the council will make an application to the court for your comimtal to prison, It is not that I won't pay it's I can not pay at the moment until the money cones in. The other thing at the start of the letter it states Various properties year outstanding 2010. I don't have or owe for any other property, so what is that about. Questions 1- Can they charge all of the above, I undestand some of them, but not the close possession @ £15.00 per day. 2- And what of the chances of being sent to prison. 3-what is the variuos property's about? 4- do they have to give me more time as there are some bank hols in between. Hope some one can help, as just found out the OH is expecting, It's alright for these people in recovery they get there monthly wage, sometime I get no payment or very little for 2-3 months at a time. Thanks in advance Leakie

I own a hotel and came back from shopping to find a letter had been hand delivered through the post box. It was from an Enforcement Agent from Andrew Wilson & Co addressed to a former guest who stayed at my hotel many months ago. The letter states the EO will come back to take control of goods. I rang the number on the letter and got nowhere. I was told the EO has the right to force entry if necessary to carry out the Writ of Control. How do I stop this from happening.... Its not my debt, the person they are looking for is not here. They were quite intimidating when I phoned. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank You

I am currently waiting for the Jobcentre to get back to me with a home visit appointment for a customer benefits review(ESA). I was placed into the support group around June 2014, I know this is just a standard review that is happening to everyone as I have contacted them on the phone querying why I was given this letter to attend an interview. The thing that's bugging me is that I live with my grandfather and sometimes I have bills that are due to be paid before my benefit money goes into my bank account, so that I don't get into financial difficulty my grandfather puts the money I need into my account so I can pay my bill that are outstanding then retakes the money back when my benefit payment is paid to me. Is there anything wrong with doing this? Will it be seen as extra income?

Hi, My relative applied for PIP approx. 8 months ago and finally has an appointment this month by ATOS at his home. If he is awarded any kind of award within PIP, is he entitled to backdated payment from when he first made the claim? or from the date of his assessment/home visit please?

I have today been visited by Marstons bailifffs in connection with an unpaid fine. The dilemma I have is that I had a fine which was paid in December 2014 for £70 and upon speaking to the bailiff I was told the original amount was £70. However they say it must be for a different fine. I have proof that I paid £70 in December of last year but I cannot find a matching reference from my online banking that relates to the visit from Marstons. They are now claiming £380 from an original £70 fine which I beleive are one and the same the question I have is how do go about finiding the information I need to stop this. I have 48 hours grace from Marstons before they say they will enter my home with locksmiths if neccessary to remove goods. Can anyone help?

Hi all, this is my first post. I had a compliance officer visit today to look into my claim to see if I am living as part of a couple. I would like some advice on a few things. I claim ESA (transferred from longterm IB last January) income based and get DLA middle care and lower rate mobility with that being reviewed as I have gotten worse over the last year (it was awarded for 5 years in May last year). I do not live alone, I live with my carer and this has been since 2011. My carer gets income support for looking after me and obviously carers allowance. We both get separate housing benefit and council tax reduction. we are joint tennents. At no point in our time living in the same house have we mislead any agency by claiming to be living at other addresses etc. We started living together because I was unable to continue living alone (I suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and depression) as I was suicidal. My carer could no longer cope with her parents so she needed to move out. At the time there was talk of changing the housing rules to anyone under 35 only being entitled to a bedsit or shared house. We decided that better the devil you know and we moved in together (we had been friends for 7 years prior to the date we started living together. We had a similar check in September 2012, and were found to not be a couple. Bascially the compliance officer said it is up to a decision maker if we are a couple or not regardless of whether we are in fact a couple or not. He also said that we should have had a follow up check 13 weeks after the first and that if we are found to be a couple we would have had an over payment and the amount would be back dated to the date we should have been re assessed even though it is the DWP who did not arrange this. I want to know, would we be responsible for an overpayment where we have not mislead or given inaccurate or incomplete information and also if we were found to be a couple (which from what the compliance officer said is almost agiven) would that mean we would have to either move into separate houses or else move into a single bedroom property and share a room, which if we were a couple obviously wouldn't be a problem but as we are not it doesn't seem fair. I know all of this is what if at the moment but it has got me worried and as stated I suffer from depression and was hospitalised last January under section 4 of the mental health act due to being suicidal, its only just a year later and again the DWP is making me ill. Thank you for taking the time to read this and any help would be appreciated.

BCW have been chasing me re an alleged debt to Orange and I must admit I have just been ignoring them, however a few weeks ago they threatened me with a home visit so I sent the letter which I got off here to say you get not visit my home and I will only communicate in writing. Below is their reply: The stage in which we issue a letter regarding a Home Visit forms part of our automated process. This is pre-determined by Orange. A Home Visit is only proposed when every other available means of contacting you has been exhausted and an amicable resolution in this matter remains absent. We have attempted to contact you on a number of occasions prior to our letter in which we advise of our intent to arrange a Home Visit. We are therefore satisfied that we have afforded sufficient opportunity for you to contact us to discuss this account. The case you have referred to is not applicable to your circumstances. As part of the agreement that you entered into, you agreed to repay the full outstanding balance and that where necessary Orange could recover the debt by outsourcing the debt to a third party, which included by way of doorstep collection. We are entitled by law and under contract to recover monies outstanding and we are allowed to take reasonable steps in accordance with regulatory guidance to recover such monies. The OFts Guidance on Debt Collection reference to making an appointment on field visits relates to, where say, the agent has called round and advised by the customer that it was not a convenient time, then he should make another appointment. An appointment is not necessary for the initial visit. lf however, the customer is not there at the agreed time, then the agent can call again at an unscheduled time. ln relation to your request for no telephone contact I confirm that we have removed all telephone numbers held for you, from the account. Please note payment is now due therefore please contact our office on 0845 117 025g in order to discuss the repayment options available to you. A cessation of collection activity will remain on the account for a further 10 days in order to afford you sufficient time to contact us. We are a member of the Credit Services Association who can be contacted in the event of you remaining. Would appreciate some advice – shall I reply to this, just ignore them or just send them a cca?

Dear Folks Can anyone please advise, I am my mum's full-time carer, I am also her DWP Appointee. Today when I took mum home I found a letter in her postbox (which she is unaware about) the heading states: Notification of Performance Measurement visit for next week. I am going to have to cancel the visit as it is too short notice. Are these visits normal and random, or has someone been malicious? My mum has nothing to hide, but I've read on the internet that some of these DWP people go around the property, looking in rooms and even drawers (not the knicker type Have they got the power to go upstairs? Also my mum spends most of the day at my home as I live nearby, would they come to my house instead of hers? We have a joint bank account and both of our income based benefits go into it, there is no benefit cap as my mum receives DLA and so does my disabled son. How many bank statements should I provide for this visit? The account is in overdraft, there is a loan but under 5K to pay for my divorce, the account has never been anywhere near the 6K limit to declare and mum has nothing to hide. I can only think 1) someone has been malicious 2) it is random as they say 3) the joint bank account has been flagged up as my son has only recently been awarded DLA. I dread to think how mum will react by this visit, do you think the DWP will see me instead as I am her DWP Appointee? Any help gratefully received.

Hi Just looking for a bit of advice. My husband has been on DLA for just over 2 years and in May he was asked to apply for PIP. I filled out the forms for him and sent all evidence from each consultant he sees. We received a letter in June to say all had been received and his assessment would be in 12-16 weeks. I called just before the 16 weeks and was told it would now be 26 weeks but ATOS would be coming to us. His last ATOS assessment for ESA I had to take him and we actually found the lady very nice and she included me quite a bit in the assessment. He was placed in the SG. Is a home visit usual/unusual? Should I be worried? Thanks

I had a HCEO visit me 2 months ago and i paid 10% of the debt and arranged a repayment plan otherwise he said he would remove all my goods (his words). It was his first visit and i had no notice of it whatsoever, so i had to call on a family member to help me pay and i arranged a repayment plan verbally with the HCEO, he said his office would confirm this all in writing (i never received anything from anyone!) So there is still 90% of the debt outstanding and i am living scared every day that the HCEO will turn up again demanding more money (which i cannot pay) or remove all my possessions and car. I have not started to make the repayments yet, as i have never received anything in writing, nor any bank details etc., i dont know what to do. I have contacted the creditors solicitor with confirmation of my repayment solution and i havent received any reply from them other than (i will await instruction from my client) - and this was weeks ago. Im so scared. Im a single parent and i have a young son. I would appreciate any help. Thank you, Lola

Our house is unlicensed for TV Licencing, We do not break the law and watch via catch up etc. We are not registered with TV Licencing and have the usual addressed to "The Legal Occupier" which we ignore. Today had a knock at the door, TV Licencing, told him I am not answering his questions & to leave the property, he did ask for my name which I refused. He left saying "he will come back with a Court Warrant to effectively break down the door". I cannot remember his name but I do have his car registration details, I will use these to track him down & also to post the details on forums. What does concern me is that a neighbour (who is licensed) had a knock at the door from him, he showed his ID and said he is updating his database & to avoid annoying and upsetting everyone in the Hamlet (only 26 houses in the middle of North Yorkshire), can she tell him the names of those who live at a house called "XXXXXXXXX" (My House). My neighbour refused (she popped round to see us after he eventually drove off) but he did try other houses. I have spoke to most except 3 neighbours, I know at least two of them were in at the time and will catch up with them later. Can I contact the Police with the threat of breaking down the door? Stigman

We have a shop which is rented to us on a 15yr lease. We've now been trading for more than 2yrs, having had the keys for around 30 months. Upon first moving in, we noticed problems with the roof, as in water leaks in several places when it rains heavily. This was reported to the Landlord several times, and so called repairs have been carried out, several times too. However, over 2yrs later, the roof still leaks, and quite frankly, it's dangerous, as it leaks into the stockroom area, causing a slippery floor, and more importantly, leaks down onto the electricity meter and fuse box, then onto the floor and causing a pool around the toilet... Not nice when you need a pee! So as the rent is paid quarterly in advance, and was due on 29th Oct - I decided, to write to the Landlord 14 days before the rent was due, and tell him that I considered his failure to repair the roof to be a breach of our contract/lease, and as such I would be withholding payment of the rent until such date as repairs were effected. I also said that I was taking this action reluctantly, but as the matter had remained unresolved for over 2 yrs, I felt that this was my only method of getting repairs carried out satisfactorily. I sent this letter by recorded delivery, and have confirmation of same. I heard nothing back from him whatsoever, and the due date for the rent came and went.. Yesterday however, I got a call from the girl in the shop, that bailiffs were in attendence, and wanted to be allowed in to seize goods (Our shop is a fully "bandit screened" off licence) She had told them that she didn't care who they were, they were not coming past the door. She passed the phone to one of them and he came outside to talk to me - He told me he was a HCEO and was here to collect the outstanding rent, plus their "charges of £486.00" I asked him if he had a Court Order, to which he answered no, so I asked if he had a High Court Writ, again, the answer was no. So I told him he wouldn't be getting anything, and I would be there shortly. I left, and telephoned the Landlord on the way, I was straight to the point with him, and asked what he was playing at, he told me that they (DCBLtd) had sent me a letter a week before at his instruction advising that if the rent remains unpaid, they would be attending. I told him (honestly) that no letter had been received. We had a discussion, and it was agreed that if I paid him the rent the following day, into his bank as per the normal method, he would commence repairs... So, when I arrived at the shop, I told the Bailiff that he needed to speak to the client who had instructed him, as it had been sorted. He went outside and did this. A few mins later he came back in and said he had advised the Landlord to phone his office, as he could only be told to discontinue by them. So we waited a further 10 mins, at this time, I was still "outside" the screens. His office then rang, and he told me "That's fine for the rent, however I need to collect our fees" Obviously, know that they were his "wages" I told him I'd not be paying anything, as he no longer had a debt to collect, and I'd not received the initial letter in any case. I then asked in what role he was attending today, and his reply? "I'm here today as a private bailiff o collect rent arrears" That to me, told me all I needed to know, he had no court order, no writ, and wasn't even acting as a HCEO on this visit. I turned around and unlocked the door to let myself into the shop, and the cheeky bugger wedged his foot firmly into it.. I phoned my Solicitor whilst I was leaning against the door, and he advised me to call the Police, which I did.. Anyway, we both stayed there for 15 mins, him on one side with his size 10 wedged in the gap, me on the other... His colleague then suggested they "give up" and he removed his foot, just as the Police arrived... I spoke to them and said I wanted them off the premises and the Police advised them of the same. He did however say, "you are still liable for our charges, so we will be back" and passed me the attached letter/form. So this morning, the rent has been paid to Landlord directly, therefore there is no longer any "debt" so, can they just chase their "charges" even though they've done nothing for them, and the compliance letter was never received? Interestingly, they have also included £114 for the "sale stage fee" Erm, for selling what exactly?? Comments anyone? Mike

Hello, Yesterday a Performance Measurement Review Officer came to my dad's home unannounced saying they needed to complete a form with my dad who is currently in receipt of ESA. I said no letter had been sent and we were completely unaware of the visit - the Officer said they do not always send letters out before visits. The Officer seemed okay but I had to reschedule the visit as I was just about to take my dad to a hospital appointment so we have rescheduled it for another time. I did a bit of research on the internet and the Officer gave me a leaflet and it seems the visit is to pretty much to check my dad is getting the right benefit payments. However, sadly, as with everything the DWP does I am suspicious of this "random" visit and wondered if anyone has had one of these visits before? What actually happens during the visit? Is it really just a matter of them asking about your payments and checking your accounts? The leaflet says the meeting can take up to an hour or longer - which makes me think that is a long time just to check your documents etc. Has anyone had their benefits affected after they had this review? Any information or help and advice would be much appreciated! Sorry to sound paranoid but with everything the DWP has put my dad and myself through in recent years I feel I have to be! Thanks in anticipation.