Warning issued over bailiff behaviour

BAILIFFS have forced their way into homes by pretending to be a maintenance worker from the local council and posing as a member of the public in desperate need of a bathroom, according to the Money Advice Trust.

Others threaten householders who are in debt by asking them if they “really” want their children to see them taken away in handcuffs – and warning them that their bill will go up for “every minute” they are standing on the doorstep, while some even try to convince people that they are only there “to work out a repayment plan”.

Bailiffs gain more legal rights once they have entered a property for the first time – but only if they are invited in by the householder.

The Money Advice Trust ran a social media campaign earlier this year to gauge people’s experiences of bailiffs and released the findings from the study as the UK government issued a consultation on the bailiff industry.

Joanna Elson, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, said: “We are pleased the government is looking at this area, which our clients tell us currently involves significant consumer detriment.

“Specifically we asked people to let us know of any instances of bailiffs trying to ‘blag’ their way into a property, since they gain more rights after they have entered a property for the first time, but have to be invited in peacefully.

“As well as lying about their rights to enter a property, our clients tell us that bailiffs often charge excessive fees, exhibit threatening behaviour and ignore existing rules and codes of conduct.”

She added: “In the current economic climate, many families worry enormously about their debts. Protecting people from unethical and bullying bailiffs would mean they have one less problem to worry about.”