Task Enforcement 'bailiff' uses physical force to gain entry to my house

[simplesignman]

Evening, I'm hoping that someone may be able to give me some advice please.

 

Whilst I was at work today a Task Enforcement 'bailiff' came to my house

& when my wife answered the door put his foot on the threshold & then,

when my wife tried to push the door shut, pushed it

- and her

- back into the hallway and stepped into the house claiming that he had gained peaceful entry.

 

My wife called me to say what was happening,

I dialled 999, explained what was happening & asked for the Police to attend

- which they did very quickly.

 

When I arrived at home about 30 minutes after my wife's phone call,

the Police were outside with the bailiff & another officer was with my wife to take down her side of the situation.

 

The officers were reasonable, polite & sympathetic but stated that as the 'bailiff' had entered the house

they were powerless to prevent him coming back in & seizing goods.

 

I have no complaints towards the officers nor do I dispute that there MAY be a PCN due to TfL

(the notice was served on me as a Director of a Limited Company

and the signatory to the lease agreement for the vehicle that incurred the PCN

& I'm disputing my obligation to pay now that the Company has been wound up)

 

but my issue is more with

a) the conduct of the bailiff &

the way he gained entry to the house and

 

b) the fact that he had NO documentation or identification that proved that he was a bailiff

and not an unlicensed heavy

- when I challenged him on this (in front of the Police officer)

 

he claimed that he'd "had it ten minutes ago" and that he

"must have dropped it entering or leaving the property"

- I don't believe him & neither did the Police officer

 

so my question is:

 

How do I check whether this individual is a certified bailiff?

Is what he did acceptable practice?

What redress do I have & how can I prevent him returning to the property when my wife & I are out to seize goods?

 

Any and all advice would be gratefully received

as my wife doesn't want to leave the house

& is terrified that this man will return when she and the kids are in bed.

 

Thanks

[tomtubby]

The simple answer to your question is that the police officer should have asked the bailiff for ID if for no other reason as to whether he was a genuine bailiff.

 

Have you checked with the police as to what documentation they looked at?

 

Also, when the bailiff gained entry did he "levy" upon any goods of your inside of the property?

 

Did he provide a Form 7 Notice of Seizure?

[simplesignman]

Thanks for the speedy response.

 

The officer asked for proof of the debt but not proof of the bailiffs credentials (if that's the right phrase).

 

The bailiff left a notice of seizure of goods and inventory with the details of the warrant number etc.

and a list of the charges/fees due

- he's asking for £202 as the PCN,

£11.20 for a letter (no idea what that's for),

£60 levy fee

& £175 attendance to remove goods/vehicle

 

making a total of £492.84 (his maths must be a bit wonky as the individual sums total £448.20)

[ploddertom]

Has he not left his name on the form or is it just the ubiquitous scribble?

[simplesignman]

Yes he's put his name on the form but I don't know if I'm allowed to put it on here

[ploddertom]

Yes he's put his name on the form but I don't know if I'm allowed to put it on here

 

Preferably not but have you had a look at the Online Register to see if he is listed http://certificatedbailiffs.justice.gov.uk/CertificatedBailiffs/

[ploddertom]

Was your wife injured? Does she have any bruising?

[simplesignman]

Thanks for the link, I'll have a look now.

[simplesignman]

There's no sign of bruising at the moment,

 

I think that she was more shocked & frightened than actually hurt.

 

I realise that bailiffs are 'just' doing a job but surely there are ways of doing It

without resorting to threats & bully boy tactics?

 

Sadly,

this chap is on the register of certified bailiffs (assuming that he has put his name on the form & not one of his colleagues).

[tomtubby]

What goods did the bailiff levy upon on the Notice of Seizure?

[lamma]

"& £175 attendance to remove goods/vehicle"

on the first visit !!!

This fakery, some would say fraud, makes me so angry.

[tomtubby]

Any update?