Bailiffs - any tips with dealing with the ******s

[katiekitty]

Hello - I'm being threatened with a visit from the bailiffs, has anyone got any experience of this? I've been advised to keep my windows shut, could they really climb in through an open window? Bit frightening..
What would I do if they came round?

Any help gratefully received xxx

if you are making agreed payments then the creditors should n't call in bailiffs and they sound especially underhand. Try speaking to CAB , they can help you get interest frozen and negotiate payment plans but it may have already gone beyond that.

what have you tried to do so far? have you set up a repayment plan? what options have the people you owe offered you? or have you already gone through all that?

Katie, if you dont let them in then they cant take anything! Just don't answer the door to them (as they'll try to push past you). Only deal with them over the phone or ask them through the letterbox to return to their car and go out to speak to them.

I am in discussions with CAB regarding bankruptcy, before this I was going down the IVA route, however things changed and I have to say since bankruptcy was mentioned, the collections agency have been coming down on me very hard asking for payments before I declare bankruptcy.

Should I not answer the doorbell if it rings or would it be better to speak with the bailiffs and explain that it's being dealt with? I get the feeling they will be making a visit and want to be prepared...

Message withdrawn

and who is this "collections agency" working on behalf of ?

They can be very heavy handed. We have been approached about a debt run up by the previous owner of our house. Despite providing evidence of when we bought the house, we are still receiving letters and phone calls.

I have never had to deal with bailiffs because of my situation, but we have had them come round looking for previous tennants so I know how forceful and frightening they can be, and that's when they weren't even for me!

Cod, speak for yourself not "you lot".

i had a bailiff turn up where i worked once. it was a branch of one of the big four banks. apparently we hadn't paid the rent for a few months. oops, i was the manager.

Katie, don't let them into your house. I think that once they've been in once, they can come in whenever they like. I'm sure I saw this on tv.

I could be wrong but i'm pretty sure that's what was said. Chat on the doorstep, but don't let them over the threshold.

I had bailiffs visit me 6 months ago for council tax and I have to say the bailiff that came was lovely, he noted down all my stuff of value, surprisingly that did'nt include the tumble dryer, bizarre, surely thats not an neccessaty (sp) he refused point blank to go upstairs, he said he is supposed to but he thinks its an invasion of privacy, then we worked out a plan to pay what I owed over 6 months. It really is not as bad as you think.

doesn't the consumer action group website have a section on handling bailiffs and collection agencies ? On their forums page near the bottom

welshgirlie is right. Bailiffs can only enter the premises on their own 'merit' once you have had them on your house. Do not open the door to them, speak to them through the bloody letterbox if necessary. Once you have invited them in - then can enter any other time on their own and any way (forced entry or oterwise).
Additionally what newlifenewname says about 'priority debts - "It can be illegal to pay other debts before these" - is not true. What 'priority debts' means is; the debts that woula be likely to affect the roof over your head or your physical health - so that included mortgages, rent, council tax, gas, electric, etc, etc

Hello - sorry for late reply, I only have access to a pc at work...

Lizs - they are working on behalf of a collections agency for HSBC.

I've had a quick look at the info that people have been recommending, I think that if they come round when I'm in I'll only speak to them through a closed door as I might not get an understanding one visiting me. Plus, I really have nothing of value (like I said, my tv is an ex-rental ancient model, not a snazzy plasma wide screen one and after that then I suppose the next thing would be kitchen appliances like my washing machine, but would this be classed as 'essential'? I don't know).

I did read that if you let them in, yes, they can then come round at any time and force their way in, so I think it's best to avoid this by not even opening the door to them.

ruddynorah - you made me laugh.

Anyway, thank you everyone for your help and understanding.

kxxx

They cannot take most kitchen appliances, they cant take, cooker, washing machine, and fridge freezers, also they cannot enter childrens bedrooms.

sorry that you're going through this katiekitty - lots of support to you xxx

just reading through the thread - to those posters who were unsupportive you should hope that you're not in this position one day and then have someone kick you when you're down.

this explains what baliffs can & can't do - suggest you print a copy off & keep it handy. Always help to know your rights...