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Bailiff - can’t stop crying

148 replies

Towybow · 03/05/2024 23:41

So to start the past year has been stressful
my dog died - he was everything to me and we watched him die over a a week in the most horrible way.

on the day he died the first vet I took him to - who misdiagnosed him, called me about the insurance claim. They put it through and I consented to this. I ended up writing a complaint about their treatment it was horrid. I have a letter where they say they will reduce the treatment to £313 - I had confirmation from my insurance this was already claimed and so I never thought any more of it. I was wrapped up in grief. A month later mum was taken to hospital and she nearly died. She had a life changing injury and whilst she was in hospital I was dealing with some matters whucg turned out she had very bad mental health. She then suffered delirium for 4 weeks and as her only child and with family it did fall on me to visit each day on my own. I have a dd who also has her own struggles. She has severe asthma and we are both on pathway for adhd.
my mum was not in the best place when she came round and sadly I bore the brunt of it if there were days she struggled. There were days I wanted to just off myself. But I never would cos of my daughter.

in November I was out on a 2 week pathway for cancer whucg we still haven’t got to the bottom Of but a barium swallow was clear.

in March I sought treatment for my mental health as I have been really struggling I’m on medication now which has been hard.
I do struggle daily and have been to the doctors with 4th bout of bronchitis and still really suffering with a anxiwty and depression.

in March I started breathing space and working wit step change as my finances have got completely out of hand. Largely cos I forget and every day I’m fighting to just keep afloat I feel all alone in this world.
I had a letter from a solicitor about this debt, I was going to call the insurers and ask why not paid when I did they said I didn’t confirm it to be paid at the time. I didn’t have the energy to fight this because to be honest I just don’t know what’s happened. So I added it to my debts to be included in the debt management plan thinking I’ll just pay it because I don’t have the energy to fight it. It sounds stupid. It even speaking to people at the minute is a big hurdle. - oh in between all of this iv had to move my DD’s school because of how much she was struggling. She also is having difficulties in seeing her dad. -

so today a bailiff comes and says he’s collecting my items in 5 days - he says I’m to email breathing space and wouldn’t talk anymore - the letter says he’s coming in 5 days and will take my stuff and if that doesn’t cover the hill, which is now £2200 they will apply to make my bankrupt. Part of me doesn’t even care what they take now but I am scared of a man coming in and my daughter seeing that. I have previously experienced dv and I’m scared. Since he came in been crying and I can’t stop crying.
step change say to apply for a stay of execution but every where is shut. I can’t focus to add more inowed my mum some money from when my dog died and having to seek another vet opinion and from him being out to sleep and so she is taking a sleeve chunk of my wages each month I can’t even get through the melnth

I feel so tired and I don’t even know where to start
I want to seek support for my mental health but I’m scared as I work in a helping profession and if they think my mental health is bad they may tell my employer? I’m not sure I do feel at crisis though but I just don’t know what to di about any of it. Sorry for long post

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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AnneLovesGilbert · 03/05/2024 23:48

You’ve been, and are going through so much. I’m really sorry 💐💐💐

I can’t offer any advice but sending you a hand hold tonight.

Notamum12345577 · 03/05/2024 23:49

I’m sorry everything has got on top of you. So Breathing Space is a company you owe money to? And Step Change is the charity helping you with your debts, but your debt to Breathing Space wasn’t included?

QueenOfTheEntireFuckingUniverse · 03/05/2024 23:53

I'm sorry you're going through all that. As I understand it they can't do anything while your breathing space is in place.
Regardless he can't come back in 5 days and take your stuff unless you let him in. You haven't let him in have you?
Unless they've taken you to court and got a court order they can't force entry.

Crinkle77 · 03/05/2024 23:54

No Breathing Space is a government debt initiative which is literally supposed to stop all contact from your creditors while you sort your debt out. OP you need to get back in touch with Step Change. Also are these bailiffs from the court?

Towybow · 04/05/2024 00:34

Notamum12345577 · 03/05/2024 23:49

I’m sorry everything has got on top of you. So Breathing Space is a company you owe money to? And Step Change is the charity helping you with your debts, but your debt to Breathing Space wasn’t included?

No breathing space is where everything is placed on hold for 2 months - but the bailiff carried on

OP posts:
Towybow · 04/05/2024 00:35

QueenOfTheEntireFuckingUniverse · 03/05/2024 23:53

I'm sorry you're going through all that. As I understand it they can't do anything while your breathing space is in place.
Regardless he can't come back in 5 days and take your stuff unless you let him in. You haven't let him in have you?
Unless they've taken you to court and got a court order they can't force entry.

He has a court order

OP posts:
Towybow · 04/05/2024 00:36

Crinkle77 · 03/05/2024 23:54

No Breathing Space is a government debt initiative which is literally supposed to stop all contact from your creditors while you sort your debt out. OP you need to get back in touch with Step Change. Also are these bailiffs from the court?

Edited

Yeah a high court enforcement officer

I called step change they want me to apply for a stay of execution and ask the creditor to take it back which I have done but it’s Friday night so won’t know anything until Monday and I’m scared he will come over the wedkend

OP posts:
Towybow · 04/05/2024 00:38

Thing is I don’t care they can take my stuff I don’t care about a twlly anymore I don’t have anything else I don’t think he can take my kids stuff
I’m just scared about how it will affect her

just seem they can come all weekend

OP posts:
happytobee · 04/05/2024 00:44

is it a high court rit? without that he can’t access your property, is this your first letter about this?

Towybow · 04/05/2024 00:50

I got a solicitor later I think maybe November December I didn’t think it had gone to court iv not had anything from the bailiff company

it says’ you fail to make payment and there are insufficient goods to cover your debt, a return will be made t Writ of Control which will enable the Claimant to take insolvency proceedings where applicable (of eith compulsory liquidation or bankruptcy) against you.’

I really don’t have any good I have the telly a sofa a table and bench, 2 beds , a fridge, a cooker and a washing machine, dc has a small telly and X box brought by her grandad on her room which I can prove. I don’t even care they can take all of those things I just don’t want them to come when I’m here I’d happily just leave door open if they let me know when they are coming I am past caring anymore I just want to protect my baby

OP posts:
Towybow · 04/05/2024 00:51

I have a company car I don’t own I think they can clamp it I’m not sure it’s like salary sacrifice but I don’t own it and it’s under the sacrifice scheme name

OP posts:
Towybow · 04/05/2024 00:53

The worst thing is it’s £300 now at £2.5 k in the most shitty time of my life I’m done in

OP posts:
theGooHasGone · 04/05/2024 00:58

You do owe the money and they have a high court writ, so you'll need to make a payment of some kind. They don't want to take your goods - you don't have anything worth significant money, and it costs them too much to process and sell things to be able to actually cover the outstanding debt.

They won't take the car as long as it's on finance. If it's free of finance, they'll still leave it as long as you produce documentation (bill of sale etc) proving that it doesn't belong to you.

They will expect you to call friends and family to raise enough funds to pay off a substantial portion of the debt - at least half is usual. They may let you make a payment arrangement for the rest (say £200/month) if you can make a substantial downpayment.

Towybow · 04/05/2024 01:12

I don’t have friends who can lend me money and I don’t have any family

I have £29 each month leftover from paying everything I have nothing in my bank accounts as my lady money went on paying my prescription for bronchitis and an inhaler
so I really don’t know how I can pay £2.5k he had said today they want money in 5 days or he’s coming in which he’ll have to do

stepchanfe today said they can’t do a dmp with me as as iv got nothing left

OP posts:
MariaVT65 · 04/05/2024 04:26

Do stepchange have any advice about all this op?

Aplaceinthecold · 04/05/2024 04:45

Hi op, really sorry you are in this position.
Take a look at the UK.Gov website re bankruptcy.
It says that you cannot be made bankrupt for a debt under £5000.
Obviously, please check with Stepchange or other debt advice service.
I'm also sure, that even with a high court order, they cannot break in. They can only enter via an open door/window or you allow them in.
Don't let them do anything without advice.

Melonportal · 04/05/2024 06:28

You said that your mum takes a chunk of your wages each month. Can this be put on hold while you deal with the bailiff?

LaurieFairyCake · 04/05/2024 06:35

You don't have to answer the door, so don't Flowers

They are not allowed to force their way in - keep ground floor windows and doors shut and locked

Sillyjane · 04/05/2024 06:47

LaurieFairyCake · 04/05/2024 06:35

You don't have to answer the door, so don't Flowers

They are not allowed to force their way in - keep ground floor windows and doors shut and locked

This is shit advice, as they will move to insolvency. It’s not like you barricade yourself in and the issue goes away.

open, when everything opens on Tuesday start making some calls, you have five days, so call breathing space first thing on Tuesday.

Ginandpanic · 04/05/2024 06:54

My dh is a court enforcement officer. If they have a warrant they can use a lock smith to gain entry. You don’t even need to be in the house. This then incurs extra costs to the debtor. They very rarely do this though.

its best to talk to the enforcement agent and try to set up a payment plan with them or who ever else is relevant in your case.

MoonieDoo · 04/05/2024 06:59

She can't call Breathing Space. She has used the scheme through Stepchange and had a two month freeze to sort her debts which has now ended. Breathing Space lasts for 60 days and you can only utilise it once in a 12 month period.

OP did you sign a Controlled Goods Agreement?

This page may be helpful to you.

https://nationaldebtline.org/fact-sheet-library/high-court-enforcement-ew/

Ginandpanic · 04/05/2024 06:59

if the agent has a warrant and a court order they are not ‘breaking in’ they are doing their job. You can’t stop them ‘until you get advice’

it’s always best to talk to them and see if you can agree a payment plan. If you do that please stick to it otherwise they come back!

also they do work bank holidays.

im not trying to spook you, but some of the advice wasn’t accurate and it’s best you know in case someone comes back over the bank holiday.

if you are having mental health struggles you could possibly be classed as vulnerable, and they would back off if do. You’d need to be able to prove it with gp letters or similar.

Flopsy145 · 04/05/2024 07:18

They can't force entry on their second visit, either don't answer the door and they'll leave a letter or answer and say you're handling it. I think if you continue to do this they can gain a warrant but on a second visit you should be ok and gives you time to gain advice. We've had three letters left for us for more than that amount and the debt wasn't even ours, they had the wrong address.

FindingMeno · 04/05/2024 07:21

Phone the people who are helping you with your money worries when they open.
And listen.....
You are a good person and a caring Mum. None of your money worries change this.
Even if this all takes its course they have to leave you with a certain amount of stuff. They can't take what you haven't got.
If it does come about and it ends up with bailiffs, stay calm and tell them you're scared and worried about your daughter being scared. Ask them to be mindful of that.

FindingMeno · 04/05/2024 07:24

And do see your gp. Perhaps you need an adjustment to your medication.
Anxiety is so so tough and making the situation much harder.

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