bailiffs and car clamping

[natant24]

Hi all ive been on here before having trouble with bailiffs and now my partner is having some trouble.

We were living apart in seperate houses, and he had to pay council tax at the other property. He has since moved in with me, and put a tennant in the other house. My OH did not pay his council tax and because he hasnt been living there he hasnt received all his post therefore, no letters from the council, no warrant or anything until he got a hand delivered letter from the bailiff (which the tennant hand delivered to my house) saying they were coming in 24 hours for full payment blah blah!! The OH rang the mobile and explained that he didnt live there anymore (didnt give new address) and the bailiff was completely unhelpful, surprise surprise. 4 days later he got another one hand delivered, and the same thing happened again.

It is Sefton council and Jacobs bailiffs fyi!

The thing im worried about is, I have a car. Its is in my name and I am the registered keeper. If these stupid people figure out where the OH is living, can they come and clamp my vehicle?? If they do, can I get the police to come and kick butt?? Something else I was thinking, if they do go to the dvla and find out details about the car, surely they would see that the car is in my name anyway!! I know bailiffs lie!

Any help would be fab thanks!!

[CleverClogs]

Re: bailiffs and car clamping

Are you married?

[natant24]

Re: bailiffs and car clamping

No not married, and the debt for council tax was in his name not mine.

[CleverClogs]

Re: bailiffs and car clamping

No not married, and the debt for council tax was in his name not mine.

Then they should have no lawful excuse to levy distress on your goods for his alleged debt.

[natant24]

Re: bailiffs and car clamping

I did think that, i just wasnt entirely sure. I know they will probably lie and make up excuses about why they are allowed to do it. Can I get the police involved if they do clamp it??

[CleverClogs]

Re: bailiffs and car clamping

The woodentops would probably reply with their usual litany in which they aver it is "a civil matter".,

[natant24]

Re: bailiffs and car clamping

Yeah I did think that as well. Ah well, just have to hope that they r stupid enough to not find out where he has moved to lol. thanks for replying.

[bluebottle]

Re: bailiffs and car clamping

Jacobs can be clamp-happy. I would speak to Merseyside Police about this so that they are forewarned.The point to stress to them is that certificated bailiffs cannot seize or levy on goods not belonging to the debtor named on a Distress Warrant or Liability Order. You should also stress to them that certificated bailiffs are known for being untruthful and frequently mislead police officers as to their authority and powers. Tell them you were told this by a retired police officer who had dealing with bailiffs during his time on the force. However, I was not with Merseyside Police.

[natant24]

Re: bailiffs and car clamping

Ah thank u bluebottle. I will contact Merseyside Police and let them know, thanks for your help. The OH is also trying to make the council see sense and take back the debt as he has received no Liability Order or Distress Warrant.

[bluebottle]

Re: bailiffs and car clamping

If you OH has not received a copy of the LO, Jacobs and Sefton Council could be skating on very thin ice, legally. The LO has similar status to a Distress Warrant, but simply says that the person named on it owes the local authority named on it a certain sum of money and authorises them to collect that sum. It does not give a certificated bailiff the right to force entry or gain irregular entry to a CT debtor's home, although certificated bailiffs often mislead police officers that an LO does give them such powers. Irregular includes the use of deceit, coercion or physical force.

[bizzybob]

Re: bailiffs and car clamping

Do as advised by bluebottle, jacobs really extract the urine whenever they feel they can gett away with it, seizing your goods for the debt is a no no, as you are not the named debtor.