how can i avoid bailiffs taking stuff from my house, due to someone else's debt, who doesnt live here anymor?

Answer 1

We had a call from our rental agent that one of our tenants had received a baliff's letter claiming against someone who purportedly had lived in the flat -- if ever -- long before we bought it.

I tried ringing the baliff but really they were unhelpful. And it was an 0870 number (sometimes you can bypass those by going to http://www.saynoto0870.com )

The agent had thrown out the letter, otherwise when I got back to London I would have sent a signed-for recorded delivery letter to the baliff denying that the perp ever lived at the address given. I think that's the best strategy anyway, since telephone messages can be plausibly denied.

This question has been answered on Y! Q/A before, and the answers tend to say that the baliff is required to confirm that the target still lives at the address. But I am aware from newspaper reports that baliffs habitually lie, invent dates of visits and conversations with tenants at the address -- billing hundreds of pounds for each visit -- and there's no reason why they won't lie in your case too.

So: recorded delivery letter to the baliff and the council, or whoever it is that is seeking the money.

Answer 2

In the UK the bailiffs have to prove that what they are taking belongs to the debt holder, so even if you owed the money a little known get out is that you say everything is in joint names so they cant take it.

You should however write to the bailiffs and the company with whom this person owes money to tell them he know longer lives at your address and like in Australia you can go to a magistrates court in the UK and get a statement sworn that the debt is not yours. You could be really awkward after telling writing to them and say that any further contact regrding this debt of this individual may be treated as harrassment.

Answer 3

what are bailiffs doing taking anything. County Sheriffs are supposed to do that, but anyway, proof of ownership is the best way. If the debt is for goods purchased (ie: credit card debt) they can only take the items purchased. cars, refrigerator,etc.
If your name is on the debt as well, say good bye to the stuff also.
But personal proerty they cannot take. Get your receipta in order, have witnesses there and demand a detailed inventory of all items taken and note the contested items.

Answer 4

you will need receipts proving you personally purchased the item, or you can insist that the bailiff show proof that the item was purchased by said previous resident by store sales receipt showing serial number of item to be siezed.

if you paid a bail for said individual, you would be liable for the debt

also, place an ad in the personal section of your paper indicating that you will not be responsible for debts incurred by that person

Answer 5

in australia you can go and see the local chamber magistrate and dispute the debt and the worst thing that can happen is you just arrange to pay the debt $1 a week,and they can only take your stuff ifyou r the sole owner,say if your mum etc partially owns it they cant touch it,or if you "gave" all your stuff to your kidz or bestfriend and"say"that they own it,and your just minding it,indy

Answer 6

You may wish to speak with a lawyer, to obtain some proper legal advice on the issue.

Answer 7

Claim it as yours. Unless its your debt they cant take it.

Answer 8

they can not take your property unless you are responsible for the dept

Answer 9

leave them a note telling them where that person is!

Answer 10

if you posted their bail and they ran....no