Bailiffs help please

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Posting for traffic.

Can bailiffs take work tools and van that they have clamped outside the property? Van worth nothing, tools are "chippy" tools he needs for work. Citizens advice website says they can't take anything work tools wise under the value of £1500 but bailiff saying that is incorrect information on their website.

He also has mental health which they don't believe and are saying they will sit outside until he prove it. He can prove it but on via his gp which obviously can't be done in an hour.

Please advice would be great.

let them in. It is better for the children to see him acting responsibly than to show them that it is acceptable to ignore his debts. They are professionals and will not behave in a manner that could upset the children while they are present.

This is only as difficult as you want it to be. Invite them in. Be civil. Get the kids out the house with a friend or relative and talk like adults about a resolution.

Call the ex and get her half the debt.

If you're that worried about the kids you take them out and let him deal with the bailiffs

Let them in. It is better for the children to see him acting responsibly than to show them that it is acceptable to ignore his debts. They are professionals and will not behave in a manner that could upset the children while they are present.

Agree with this, how can you possibly think it is better to have them waiting outside rather than let them in. They won't act inappropriately but they are going nowhere and if he doesn't let them in then the children are just going to witness the van being taken away with no context, I'm not sure that's a better solution.

@BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot couldn't agree more

High court? It's probably best to let them in, let then see he has no assets that'll cover the debt tbh. You can't fight high court bailiffs, they won't leave and the debt will climb.

If you don't have the money then you can't help him.

To be honest though given you posted this at 11.30am and that it is now 1.00pm I doubt they will be around much longer, I imagine the low-loader is already on route.

DONT OPEN THE DOOR! They will go away then you can write to the the debt collection agency and say he has mental health problems and they'll give you some breathing space to get some money together. They won't take the van they would've taken it by now they're scaring you. Never let debt collectors into your house as they can then return at any time and gain access even if door is locked. Wait for debt to be returned to the original company as you won't have to pay the extortionate debt collector fees they add on

padfoot they're high court. They won't disappear. You cannot tell them to wait. You do not get notice they're on their way.

@Padfoot1 this is terrible advice they are high court enforcement officers not debt collectors. They have a legal remit.

The value of the tools is what they are worth now. Not what they cost when new, or what it would cost to replace them.
Second-hand/worn tools are virtually worthless. The bailiffs will know this.

He needs to just accept that he’s losing the van and all the contents.

Or let them in to take things from the house. Or find a way to pay something and then make a payment schedule.

What is his plan anyway? Just hide inside and hope it all goes away? That’s not going to work. He’s just adding more and more onto the bill itch his baheviour. Has he phoned the ex wife? Explained what’s going on? Clearly she has the money if he’s waiting for the settlement, so she could just pay it and they can sort it out at their meeting next week. Either do something, or ler them take the stuff.

Padfoot1 It's gone to the high court, not to be rude but your advice is wildly inaccurate and could potentially lead to even bigger problems. They are not monsters they are collecting a debt on behalf of the high court, the debt is not going away and your ignorance of the situation is not helpful.

Padfoot RTFT. They are not debt collectors. They are bailiffs from the High Court. They will not go away without something acceptable.

He needs to get his MH sorted (unless that's a ruse) and get working again.

DONT OPEN THE DOOR! They will go away then you can write to the the debt collection agency and say he has mental health problems and they'll give you some breathing space to get some money together. They won't take the van they would've taken it by now they're scaring you. Never let debt collectors into your house as they can then return at any time and gain access even if door is locked. Wait for debt to be returned to the original company as you won't have to pay the extortionate debt collector fees they add on

And this is why taking legal advice from strangers on the internet is one of the dumbest things one can do.

Tell me padfoot what legal qualifications you have to make claims like that?

Little clue, watching 'Can't pay we'll take it away' on catch up is not a qualification.

To be fair watching don't pay would have told padfoot her advice was a load of shite

Haven't read the whole thread didn't realise they were high court obviously as I was referring to debt collectors. This is a civil debt regardless of high court they can't force their way in and neither of you can phone the police unless it kicks off. I still wouldn't let them in they work on commission. Let them go away and speak to the original creditor. Also speak to citizens advice they'll give you a template letter as someone with mental health problems is classed as vulnerable they will give you more time to pay

Again youre wrong. They can gain access and if the police attend they will be on the side of the enforcement agents not OP

His best bet is to calm down, let them in , show his incomings and outcommings then arrange a payment plan based on that.

Haha you think Don't Pay give the correct advice 😂😂 they have serious bad examples of not following the law you're very naive

Outgoings*

Also this debt will have gone through many stages before this point and the OP had ample opportunity to present supporting evidence to get the debt set aside. None of it works so they are fully liable for it. Their only way out today is to find a way to pay it.

To be fair watching don't pay would have told padfoot her advice was a load of shite

Very true, they are clear on the show that these agents are acting on behalf of the high court, they are not unscrupulous cowboys.

Haven't read the whole thread didn't realise they were high court obviously as I was referring to debt collectors

No shit Maybe try reading before spouting nonsense next time.

No they won't. In this situation where there is a number of other debts the high court enforcement agents would be breaking the law not to at least put a controlled goods agreement in place on the van (and should probably be physically removing it). They can't force their way in but it is much better to speak with them and if he is uncooperative they'll just make their way to his ex wives house something he seems to want them to avoid doing.