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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that Paul Bowhill (bailiff) should be Knighted!

198 replies

ToeKneeChestNut · 16/09/2017 20:43

Paul Bowhill of Can't Pay We'll Take it Away fame is so kind!
He always goes out of his way to help the evictees; giving his own number, making arrangements for them.
He doesn't just evict and go. He should be Sir Paul!

OP posts:
Escapepeas · 16/09/2017 21:50

There was a programme a year or so ago, not Can't Pay but a different one. A woman and her kid were being evicted and the bailiff sent them to the council office. The council basically said 'can't help, come back tomorrow' and the woman was preparing to sleep rough outside the council office overnight. The bailiff came back to check on her and paid his own money for them to stay in a hotel. DH and I were both in tears. Awful situations. :(

WorraLiberty · 16/09/2017 21:51

I agree OP

He really does go out of his way to help people.

Original poster
ToeKneeChestNut · 16/09/2017 21:51

It's not laugh out loud entertainment, obviously! I watch Newsnight too, but it isn't for the lolz.

OP posts:
Ivymaud · 16/09/2017 21:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AJPTaylor · 16/09/2017 22:00

It is dreadful. Capturing the worst moments of peoples lives for public entertainment. Being evicted, having ut filmed then played for the next 20 years on tv.
Helpful.

Gemini69 · 16/09/2017 22:04

love these guys... it's a difficult job and it's harrowing viewing... Flowers

Monoblock67 · 16/09/2017 22:05

I'm always curious about how people agree to be filmed on the show? Obviously they're surprise evictions/collections but they must give consent for them to appear in the programme. Wonder if channel 5 offers money incentives or the like to get them to agree for it to be broadcast.

MammaTJ · 16/09/2017 22:06

When you have sat in the council office, with a mother of three young children who has been evicted due to rent arrears, as she could not afford to top up her rent, after benefits had paid their share, then you can tell me I am wrong!!

The bastard the other side of the desk gave the poor young woman so much grief for not being better organised in her life. I took him down a few pegs, but could not make him re house her!! He was so condescending! BUT Roolz iz roolz!! Well that was the message from him and his colleagues! Also from Shelter, they confirmed that is council policy!

Monoblock67 · 16/09/2017 22:08

Also meant to say I bloody love Paul Bowhill. I watch the show (far too often!) and have always noticed it's him and Steve sent on the 'trickier' jobs, presumably because he gets results due to his experience and manner with clients.

PoppyPopcorn · 16/09/2017 22:09

To be fair, a large proportion of the "can't pay" people are "won't pay" people. They evict squatters from commercial premises, and people from residential property who haven't paid any rent for years. Saying it's poverty porn and that every case featured is some poor soul down on their luck is simply untrue. What the programme does show is that tehre are some very canny operators out there who let and sublet properties knowing perfectly well that they have no intention of paying any rent to the landlord. They also know that the court process to get that sort of tenant out can be extremely lengthy.

Usernamegone · 16/09/2017 22:10

On Can't Pay there are a mixture of cases. Those who are the 'chancers' who seem to live a life of not paying rent and running up debts (who have no intention of paying), those who are 'on the bones of their arse' and have fallen on hard times (who can't pay but would pay if they had the cash), people with loads of cash who don't think they should have to pay (even though it has gone through the court telling them the should pay), and small business's who are robbing Peter to pay paul (which shows how difficult it is to run a small business)

AgentProvocateur · 16/09/2017 22:10

Another Paul fan here too. ❤️

blackistheneworange · 16/09/2017 22:10

Love Paul, he's kind when it's needed.

Hugs4Everyone · 16/09/2017 22:10

I find it really interesting. I wouldn't be interested to watch lots of episodes but I think it's educational to watch a few. I find it more factual than some of the other faux documentaries that have been about recently where they clearly target the most shocking cases possible. I don't watch those ones.

Can't Pay doesn't seem to take sides or try to get an angle on what it reports. I see it in the same light as the Customs documentaries.

Theconifers25 · 16/09/2017 22:15

I'm sure that would be the case mammatj if all enquiries have been made and a formal decision given by the time the family present to the council as neeeding accommodation.
My point is though that Paul is giving the correct advise at that time and place unless the family advise him that a formal decision has already been made that they are intentionally homeless.

MammaTJ · 16/09/2017 22:28

No enquiries needed, it states right there on the eviction notice what type of eviction it is, so when 'Sir' Paul tells them to give them that paperwork and it will magic them up a home for the night, he is lying!! All it does is tell the council they have not paid their rent, so they are 'intentionally homeless', so have no right to housing of any kind!

HunterofStars · 16/09/2017 22:31

I think Paul is lovely. He seems very genuine and very kind. A true. Star and Halo.

Oldie2017 · 16/09/2017 22:38

There are a mixture of cases on there - plenty of people who are simply avoiding debts they ought to pay of course; some cases where people are in a mess through their own fault or not through their fault'; silly parents who guarantee an adult child's debt (more fool them); people who diddle a business partner; tenants who think they can live rent free for a year and not get evicted; a good few immigrants milking the system dry with massive families and not paying their rent thinking the British state or magic money tree is there to support them. It's a fairly balanced good programme and helps people realise what happens if you don't pay debts and the damage done to those owed the money too!

Ivymaud · 16/09/2017 22:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 16/09/2017 23:00

Sorry slighly of topic, but. I have often wonder if can't pay is staged.
I mean firstly surely it breaks all confidentiality by dropping names and addresses, and They must have to ask people's permission to put them on the Telly. I can't see many people going for it. After all would you allow all your business plastered all over the TV for the world his wife and his dog to see, because I certainly wouldn't.
Not a criticism, just something that's always puzzled me.

Ivymaud · 16/09/2017 23:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ForagingForFaerieGold · 16/09/2017 23:06

I've never seen it although it sounds dreadful. All I know Is, I've never met a bailiff I wouldn't like to bury up to his neck in shit. What kind of person takes such a job?
This guy sounds like a smooth talker who will say whatever it takes to get the evictee to "go quietly". Yeah, a real prince.

VelvetKnickers · 16/09/2017 23:07

I have a ridiculous crush on Max Carracher. I’m tempted to run up loads of debt so he will come and collect payment in full from my fanjo

lindblum · 16/09/2017 23:15

It's apparently really good that people are offered a place to sleep with their kids for the night in exchange for their struggle being put on TV in all its glory.

lindblum · 16/09/2017 23:18

"Intentionally homeless" includes people who have left an abusive partner, or people forced out by inhabitable conditions like mould in an asthmatic child's bedroom. Intentionally homeless means absolutely nothing. No one leaves a roof over their head unless they have to.

It is absolutely cruel poverty porn, whether or not some is well-off business owners. They do that to distract you from the people and families actually in need. Bailiffs are not so pleasant without the cameras. It's a horrible, exploitative show and typical of Channel 5.