Possibly one of the most humiliating experiences that can be experienced is a visit from the bailiffs. Bailiffs are people who are generally employees of a county court and whose job it is to take possessions of people’s goods and shackles in order to repay debt. Much as this might seem to be a rather unpleasant occupation, as they say somebody has to do it. If money has been borrowed and not repaid as agreed, then it is only right that the lender should seek compensation for the loss. In addition to county court bailiffs, there are also certified bailiffs and private bailiffs, all with differing degrees of power.
There is only one circumstance in which a bailiff may forcibly enter a home for the first time, and that is to collect unpaid taxes. In all other circumstances a bailiff may only enter your home by means that do not involve force. This means that they can enter a home through an open door or an open window, but they are not entitled to force their way against somebody blocking their entry. For instance, if someone opens a door to a bailiff but tell them that they cannot enter, then the bailiff must nor push the person aside and walk in.
Sometimes bailiffs will use trickery to gain entry. They might walk in as soon as the door is opened without allowing the person who opened the door to have the opportunity to deny it, they might suggest that a person might prefer to talk to them in the privacy of their home; a very common trick is to ask to use the phone to call their office. Once entry has been gained once, then the bailiff has the right to enter on any subsequent occasion even if this involves force or breaking down a door.
Advance notice of a planned visit from a bailiff must be given. Anyone receiving such a notice should ensure that their windows and doors remain locked at all times. You should then seek help urgently in order to find a way to cope with both the current situation and your debts. Even at this stage there are things that you can do, for instance it might be possible to obtain a suspension of the warrant of execution. Debt Advisers Direct is a good place to turn to. It provides further information on how to deal with bailiffs along with help and advice on dealing with all kinds of debt.
