Baillifs coming for previous tennant!

[Lavenderbluex]

Hi all,
Looking for advice. Moved into a rented property last month. I’ve been getting letters almost daily for who I presume is the previous tennant.
I’ve just been writing return to sender but the letters keep coming.

I opened one by accident while opening my mail this morning and it was from a bailiffs company saying he owes almost 4k in council tax arrears and they will be coming to the property within the next 7 days to ‘Take Control of Goods’.😩

I rang them up straight away and informed them I’m the new tennant of the property and he no longer lives here. The man on the phone was blasé and said he would put a note on the system.I’ve also rang the council tax to inform them.

Should I send an email with my tenancy contract and a copy of ID to prove he no longer lives here to the bailiff company?

There has been so many letters from different companies and also blank enveloped ones so I’m panicking he may owe other companies money and the bailiffs will come. Is it true they can attend with a locksmith or kick the door down? I’m a single mum with a baby and toddler so panicking they’re going to turn up.

If they do turn up do I just not open the door and speak to them from the other side? Never experienced this before so clueless how it works.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Keep your tenancy agreement to hand and just show it to any bailiffs

Surely if they turn up - you open the door, show your i.d. and proof of you being the new tenant and viola ! goodbye bailiffs

what did you inform council tax of - the letter or that you had moved in ?

Just keep your ID and your tenancy agreement to hand. They’ll see that you moved in recently and so clearly aren’t the debtor.

I wouldn’t even worry about refusing to open the door to them because it will be so easy to prove you’re not the debtor.

ETA, you honestly don’t need to worry. Bailiffs won’t stand for any nonsense but they aren’t going to come kicking your door in or shouting at your children. Just show them what you’ve got, they’ll update their records and be on their way with an apology for bothering you. If you’re worried about anyone coming in while you’re at the shops, just stick a note to your door saying ‘new tenant wef (the date you moved in).

This^ I'd keep something by the front door to hand incase you need it but ultimately I think you've done all you can do so far. I'd contact your landlord and make them aware as well.

You are paying your council tax? Call your local council and tell them to call off their dogs.

Def let your landlord know

I had this with previous owners of a house I bought. They turned up and just showed them my ID and solicitors letter proving I had bought the house and that was that.
Also had it in a rental (threats of bailiffs) so passed the info to my landlord to deal with. They called them to confirm new tenancy and never got anymore. I think that one was for both council tax and electric so they called both companies.

I had bailiffs turn up at the door for the previous occupant of my house. Showed them my ID and that was the end of it.

I had this. Bailiff turned up - I explained I had no idea who they were and we were new tenants. They just wanted proof, so I showed them my council tax letter. Then they went on their way. No issues.

If they do show up, record everything, from the moment before you open the door, should you choose to do so.

This happened to me before. They just turned up and then were like 'oh you're not who I'm looking for' I think I gave them some proof of ID/tenancy and they left. I'm sure they had a body cam on too.

I had baliffs turn up at my address years ago - my memory is pretty vague but from what I can remember they weren’t even pursuing debts from the person I’d bought the property from but from “ a. n other”. They were perfectly decent and friendly with me when I explained the issue with them. I did call and notify the debt collection company too from a letter I received. I assume you’ve registered as the new occupier with the council ( for council tax purposes ) so they will be able to check your dates of occupancy but I’d maybe keep my tenancy agreement accessible in case they call.

Thanks all, I informed council tax of the letter. I set up my own council tax when I first moved in. I’ve let the landlord know too 🙂

Is it true they can bring a locksmith to force entry? Just worrying if I was ever out and they let themselves in. Sorry if it’s a stupid question, I’m not sure how any of this works.

I stuck my council tax bill showing my name etc in the window by the door with my phone number next to it telling them to call me they did I passed on her new address they updated their records and moved on

She was PISSED

If you look in the citizen advice website they answer the question about bailiffs forcing entry. They can only do it in limited circumstances and chasing an outstanding council tax debt is not one of the reasons.

If you’ve left any doors or windows open, they can come in (even if they need to climb a ladder & wiggle in through a top window) but if everything is shut and locked, they’d need a court order to force entry.

I believe they will try at least once to find someone in, and will leave a letter/calling card
i would be very surprised if you came home to a forced door

If it’s really worrying you that they’ll come in when you’re out, put a note indoors somewhere they can’t miss it telling them you’re a new tenant and leaving your phone number. They won’t want to take your stuff any more than you want them to take it, so they’ll always give a debtor the chance to come up with the cash first. And that’s when you’ll have the opportunity to prove it’s not your debt.

We had this too - I answered and showed ID. He started off a bit confrontational and insisted on seeing my husband and his ID. Was then nice as pie once he realised we weren’t who he wanted. I think it’s normal for those with that level of debt to be transient so I assume they get it a lot

It's not a big deal - if they turn up, you tell them you moved in on..., they'll check the council tax records/do a credit reference search which will show you living there now and go away.

They won't force entry or try and get in through the window because they're not there for you. Might ask for ID because plenty of people will deny being the person that owes the money, might ask if you know the previous tenant's new address 'I don't', but it's really not anything to be worried about.

I bought a flat where the previous owner had racked up over £20k in assorted debts, and then buggered off back to his country of origin right after selling. I started opening the mail - all were demands for payment - I already knew some utilities had been cut off - and informing all the creditors that he was gone.

I had to send IIRC 12 letters, with copies of my council tax bill, and they all backed off.
What really pissed me off, though, was the knowledge that he could probably return to the U.K. tomorrow - and nothing would happen to him!

I’ve heard of similar cases in London - we are IMO far too soft.

While in Australia a dd knew a Dutch bloke who was refused entry to the country because he hadn’t paid a speeding fine incurred during a previous stay! So he had to pay for a return flight, straight back to the Netherlands.

Why are we so stupidly soft??

Thanks all you have put my mind at rest 😊I’m out most of the time during the daytime hence why was worried they may come when I’m out. WIBU to open any following letters that come for him incase they’re from the bailiffs?

Had this before. It's an occupational hazard of rented property. Show them your tenancy agreement and/or some ID and they'll go away politely. Happens all the time.

Have a photocopy of your council tax bill and your ID ready by the front door. I'm paranoid, so I'd speak to them through a window/the ring doorbell rather than opening the door to them!

As others have said, when you go out leave everything (including windows) shut and locked. Stick a note to the inside of your front door/window either with a copy of your council tax stuff and your phone number, or telling them to contact their office as you've sent proof to them.