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Original poster

Bailiff emergency help please

144 replies

Bailiffhelpplease · 27/11/2018 12:54

I’ve just been called at work by a bailiff to say he is standing in my property and has a warrant for an unpaid dart charge of £2.50. He wants £425 off me.

I’m at work, he’s threatening to remove property from the house or come to work and get my car. I have not got £425 what the hell can I do?

DD must have left the door open.

OP posts:
formerbabe · 27/11/2018 14:05

Oh I see

formerbabe · 27/11/2018 14:05

Oh and if your car is on finance, he couldn't have taken it by the way.

EmilyR1984 · 27/11/2018 14:06

Lesson learnt

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Debt
Original poster
Bailiffhelpplease · 27/11/2018 14:09

Yes lesson learnt. It’s december and I can’t pay the rent. What a fucking idiot I am hey

OP posts:
Moominfan · 27/11/2018 14:10

Op don't be so hard on yourself. It's over now Thanks

AnotherEmma · 27/11/2018 14:13

This is why you shouldn't have paid it.
Always prioritise rent over things like this.
(I give debt advice as part of my job btw.)

twoheaped · 27/11/2018 14:16

The lesson to be learnt here, is don't ignore letters.
Companies/people can be entirely reasonable but if you don't communicate with them, they don't get the chance.

Sorry it came to this op.

Jayfee · 27/11/2018 14:23

I really think we need a law which limits how much a debt can escalate relative to the original debt. I have no time for people who deliberately don't pay what is owed legitimately ( e.g people who sell dodgy cars) but the television drama about the true story of the young man who killed himself as a result of escalated courier parking fines shows how cruel debt can be. Sorry op. about your horrible day.

empmalswa · 27/11/2018 14:28

Why did you not phone the police and report an intruder? That would have been my priority, to get him the fuck out of my house.

hannah1992 · 27/11/2018 14:31

The police wouldn't have got him out the house.

If the door was open he can enter this is peaceful entry. The only time they would have to leave is if a child under 16 is alone in the house or a vulnerable person.

The police would have told OP that he has a legal right to be there and she would need to sort with him.

IamPickleRick · 27/11/2018 14:31

I feel for you OP. I ignored letters when I was in my 20s and it caused a hell of trouble. I learned the same lesson and it’s a hard one Flowers I hope you can manage your rent and Xmas ok, what a time for it to happen.

shirleyschmidt · 27/11/2018 14:36

How horrible OP. It doesn't seem right that an original debt of £2.50 can ever be worth as much as £425. Sorry you've had such a rubbish day.

Nesssie · 27/11/2018 14:44

If he is a legitimate debt collector then he may have found the door or a window open and gained peaceful entry. And yes, the fees do go up extortionately so it is feasible that the fine is now £425.

Why on earth didn't you ring up when you got the letter? You can't just expect to ignore a debt letter for 2 weeks and not face a penalty? You need to pay as it will only get more and more expensive.

Nesssie · 27/11/2018 14:47

Sorry, didn't see the update. Lesson learnt - don't ignore debt letters..

JustKeepSwimmingJustKeepSwimmi · 27/11/2018 14:49

Hang on its legal to go into a house if they leave the door or window open!?!?

Villanellesproudmum · 27/11/2018 14:50

Was this just an enforcement officer? If so as you have children he should have offered you a payment plan, if you’re a single parent you are considered vulnerable and have further rights to offer a payment plan and he shouldn’t have been in your home alone going through your stuff, it would need to be an officer of the Court with a warrant.

ichifanny · 27/11/2018 14:52

Yes justswimming only if it’s court ordered

greendale17 · 27/11/2018 14:55

**The lesson to be learnt here, is don't ignore letters.
Companies/people can be entirely reasonable but if you don't communicate with them, they don't get the chance.

Sorry it came to this op.**

^This

HellenaHandbasket · 27/11/2018 14:56

I think the OP knows that, rubbing it in won't help.

It's dealt with now OP.

Original poster
Bailiffhelpplease · 27/11/2018 14:56

He was an enforcement officer, with Marstons. Not a high court officer.

Marstons told me it was up to him if he wanted to sort a payment plan. He said they didn’t know what they are talking about and it was payment in full or taking my car.

Yes single mother, four children

OP posts:
formerbabe · 27/11/2018 15:06

Op...do you own your car outright? And where was it parked?

I'd have said, I'll set up a payment plan or he could take goods from the house. I 'd rather be without something like my telly than not be able to pay my rent

Generally bailiffs don't want to take your goods because it's a pain to take away and then sell them.

Original poster
Bailiffhelpplease · 27/11/2018 15:08

He refused a payment plan. Said it was past that point and it was either full payment or the car. I said go ahead take what you want from the house (there’s nothing to take), he said no I’ll get a recovery vechile out for your car at xxx address. It’s a public carpark at work

OP posts:
Villanellesproudmum · 27/11/2018 15:11

Depends if you want to follow it up but he has acted outside of the licence guidelines.

He cannot enter your home on a first visit (was this a first visit) he wasn’t invited in therefore this could be considered an enforced entry. First visit would entail leaving documents, bill, action, contact details etc with a return date (they are mostly self employed) and as you’re are considered a carer of children you are vulnerable’therefore a payment plan should have been offered.

If you complain you might be able to get his fees returned. He should have left a receipt with his details and licence etc.

This is from the NALEO guidelines if very boring but worth reading if you want to take it further.

And yes sure she knows she should have paid people but it’s white when you’re on your arse and not our own so don’t kick her more.

Villanellesproudmum · 27/11/2018 15:12

Shite not white.

Fishandthechips · 27/11/2018 15:14

What do these people get out of refusing payment plans? Genuine question, I really dont understand. If its in their power whether or not to grant a payment plan why wouldnt you?
Op im really sorry this has happened to you. I cant say I know anything about the legalities of this but I think its absolutely disgusting that such a small debt can escalate so much.