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Original poster

If bailiffs come and you don't have any valuables for them to take, what happens?

43 replies

solidgoldbrass · 16/01/2012 00:00

I think I can fend them off, I know all the stuff about not letting them in and negotiating with the creditor and all that - but there is, actually, bugger all of value in our house. I am not interested in gadgets so things like the laptop, telly etc are all several years old and the cheapest possible models. Any 'good' jewellery is already at the pawnbrokers. My clothes all come from charity shops or Primark. If they stripped the house bare of everything I doubt they would get more than a tenner for the lot if they could find anyone to buy it - but what would actually happen in that situation?

OP posts:
BleatingRose · 16/01/2012 00:04

No idea, bumping for you. Hope you're ok SGB.

LaurieFairyCake · 16/01/2012 00:04

If there's no car, jewellery, good tools or electrical gadgets they take nothing. They will take your tv and laptop even if only worth a fiver as they are surplus to your requirements.

You can then buy them back from the auction house - you get to buy them back first before they go to auction - you have to get someone else to actually pay for them.

kittyfishersknickers · 16/01/2012 00:06

They aren't allowed to take clothes and things like that, or anything that you really 'need' (bedding, crockery, clothing, even a laptop if you need it for work). There isn't anything else they can do. You can just deny them entry though, and then they have to go away.

I'm not sure what the next step would be. How has this come about - is it as the result of a court order?

LaurieFairyCake · 16/01/2012 00:07

Its a good idea to create a hidey hole under a floor board for your laptop sgb - and for your phone if you have one.

ThatVikRinA22 · 16/01/2012 00:09

have you gone to CAB for advice?

they could tell you the ins and outs im sure, hope you are ok?

FetchezLaVache · 16/01/2012 00:10

No idea either, but can you get to your local CAB in the morning and get some advice? Have you spoken to your creditor yet?

Honeydragon · 16/01/2012 00:11

They can't take anything you need for work/basic communication. Generally if they see you have nothing the will go back to the court and tell them and a payment plan will be put in place.

Has a Warrent of Execution actually been issued by the court or is someone making threats?

Original poster
solidgoldbrass · 16/01/2012 00:15

They can't take the laptop as it is a legitimate 'tool of my trade', need it for work. Ditto the phone, for which they would get pennies anyway.
I know I can refuse to let them in and if I make even part payment on the debt they won't get a court order for forced entry... I suspect I am just sort of gibbering in the darkness at the onrushing doom.

OP posts:
Honeydragon · 16/01/2012 00:19

You haven't had a warrent then? If it is a mahooosive amount of money owed then they will look at your address and the economy of the area and what assets you could have, see you are likely to have fuck all and not pursue.

If it's a smaller amount than it is not worth them spending money on a warrant only for bailiffs to turn up and go oooh a tea cup and some left over chocolate from Christmas. It's an expensive gamble just to end up with the court ordering a payment plan.

Does that help?

Original poster
solidgoldbrass · 16/01/2012 00:20

I think this particular one is willy-waving, a bit. I very much doubt I really did sign something that agreed they could come round and strip the house without a court order when I took out the loan. And most of the other creditors are just at the early stages of polite complaint.
And tomorrow I will get this new job and they will all back off.

OP posts:
FetchezLaVache · 16/01/2012 00:26

I would think that even if you did sign something to that effect, it wouldn't be enforceable.

Good luck with the job tomorrow! I know that onrushing doom feeling from personal experience, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

AgnesBligg · 16/01/2012 00:28

They can't take anything if you don't have luxury goods. So they will need to negotiate a payment plan based on what is possible for you to pay. Maybe lend your telly to your neighbour to keep it out of the way?

A lot of us are facing this shit right now. You will be fine.

Honeydragon · 16/01/2012 00:30

They can send round an agent. Basically a debt collected can legally call your property and discuss your debt. Legally you can tell them to fuck off.

If they are trying to imply you have signed your assets away, than they need to say what you secured the debt on, and supply your contract. In other words they are saying they are loan sharks, in which case they are in the shit. Or they are legitimate and therefore threatening to request a transcript of the willy waggers call to send to the FSA should buy you some time Grin

Original poster
solidgoldbrass · 16/01/2012 00:32

Fetchez: Horrid, isn't it? I've been wondering if I'll drop dead of it (I do have raised blood pressure) and thinking that might not be so bad except don't want to leave DS. But I've survived this sort of mess before, and things will get better...

OP posts:
kittyfishersknickers · 16/01/2012 00:36

I'm sure anything you sign can't be enforceable. No private contract can contradict the law. There's nothing they can really do to you, but it must be scary to feel threatened like that. Do you own the house/flat?

Honeydragon · 16/01/2012 00:37

SGB there is no shame in debt, just remember you are keeping the people hassling you in employment. You're practically a philanthropist Grin

They will want you working as much as you do. If you went bankrupt they'd get nothing. I know it's hard, but try and stay calm, don't make yourself ill over it, it is after all, only money. Ensure you have what you need before you give anything to them.

Honeydragon · 16/01/2012 00:38

They cannot take anything without a court order, promise.

Original poster
solidgoldbrass · 16/01/2012 00:39

Nope, it's rented. And that's another source of worry, are we going to be evicted in the next couple of months? (Not over this particular debt, just generally are-we-going-to-be-evicted).
I think I might go to bed now.

OP posts:
Honeydragon · 16/01/2012 00:42

Night SGB, good plan. It's a crap saying but true, things always seem a bit better in the morning. You certainly feel less vulnerable I know that.

ThatVikRinA22 · 16/01/2012 00:45

good luck with the job tomorrow - ill keep my fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
solidgoldbrass · 16/01/2012 20:05

Well, job is OK, got it, looks great.Grin. And creditors have settled down and will wait a bit longer for their money.
Now all I have to do is set debt collectors on scumbag client who owes me money so I can pay the rent...

OP posts:
Honeydragon · 16/01/2012 20:07

Yay Grin, am really pleased for you. Are you going to make token payments or are they happy to wait till you get paid?

Memoo · 16/01/2012 20:12

Do not open the door!!! and make sure all your windows. My friend had the bailiffs come round and because she opened the door and they manage to step inside they would not leave. Once theyre in the wont leave.

Memoo · 16/01/2012 20:13

All your windows are shut

DilysPrice · 16/01/2012 20:16

Well done on the job, and very best of luck.

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