Get Out of Debt – Signs That You Need Help With Your Debt
Bailiffs also go by the name of enforcement agents, having them at your door can be extremely daunting if you are unaware of your rights. It gets even more panicky if you do not know how to deal with them. It is often believed that bailiffs are burly men banging at the door but it is usually far from the truth.
The best way to deal with bailiffs or stop bailiffs altogether from arriving at your doorstep is to know your rights. Bailiff debt law is a tricky topic to know about so it is important to have some free and impartial advice if there is a threat to them visiting your home. This is where Bailiff Help Now will come in the game.
Know your rights
Can bailiffs force entry?
Bailiffs are generally supposed to enter your home peaceably through the front or back door of your house. This suggests that they are not allowed to enter forcibly into your houses or get in without your consent.
You must also know that there are some circumstances under which bailiffs are allowed to force entry, but first, they have to give you a chance to let them in voluntarily.
When can bailiffs visit?
Bailiffs can typically visit your home between 6 am and 9 pm, any day of the week unless they have a warrant from the court giving them extra rights. They have to avoid occasions of religious or cultural festivals but they may still come and visit if instructed to do so. And that is when you have the right to make a complaint to a bailiff if they are visiting even when they are not supposed to.
Where can bailiffs visit you?
Bailiffs have the right to visit your home, which is your residential address, but they cannot visit any property where you live or run a business. They are not told to visit you at your workplaces unless it is your home itself, in that case, it is an exception.
Can bailiffs refuse your payment plans?
Bailiffs have the right to refuse your payment plans if they feel your offer is not reasonable enough. And if your budget clearly shows your capacity, the bailiff should pass your offer of payment to the creditor.
You have two options when something of this sort occurs, then you should:
- Continue paying anyway
- Get in touch with your creditor directly and see if they accept your offer. The creditors will also usually ask to see your budget to estimate your capacity for making the payment.
If you do not find your way around it, or the creditors are hard to deal with you can reach out to Bailiff Help Now to get the best debt advice in the UK from the experts.
What to do when bailiffs want the full payment?
Bailiffs should accept the fair and reasonable payment offers you are eligible to make at that moment. You can complain to their head office and make arrangements to make your payment by working around what you can afford.
How to complain about a bailiff?
When things go out of hand where bailiffs might have broken the rules while dealing with you, then you can file a complaint against them. There are different ways to complain depending on the type of debt they are collecting. However, to begin with, send the complaint to the bailiff’s employer and a copy to the creditor.
Can the police get involved?
The police have their rights regulated in case of bailiffs, they help a bailiff do their job in very limited circumstances such as:
- The bailiff is imposing a writ of control from the High Court
- The bailiff has the warrant of force entry which is permittedby the court with an agreement of police involvement
Aside from these scenarios, police cannot help bailiffs in any way. However, the police may attend with a bailiff in order to ensure things go smoothly without any disturbance. But throughout the process, they have to remain unbiased and are not allowed to help bailiffs in any way.
When can police arrest if it is involved?
If bailiffs have the warrant to involve the police, you might have to be prepared to get arrested if you do not follow the orders.
- You can get arrested if you hide, remove or deliberately damage the list of goods the bailiff is ready to take under COG (control of goods).
- You can get arrested if you act in a threatening or aggressive manner, the bailiff could also be arrested if they behave in such a manner.
- You could be arrested for obstructing a bailiff by physically stopping them from removing goods.
You cannot get arrested for refusing entry to bailiffs if they have never been in your house before or made a list of goods.
As you receive a letter or visit from a bailiff, it shows that you may need some free and impartial debt help. Bailiff Help Now is here to help you with debt advice and also to help you deal with bailiffs and bailiff debt efficiently. Get your questions answered the right way with us. Call us for free advice on Bailiff help today!