TCG Regs have seen a significant reduction in forum posts

[HCEOs]

I have monitored this CAG forum for many years and since the introduction of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations almost exactly one year ago it is clear that the level of forum posts has dropped dramatically.

 

I would also suggest that the seriousness of the forum posts has reduced even further with many just asking what to do after receiving the NOE or questioning other forum guidance.

 

All in all a positive thing for the enforcement industry as whole wouldn't you agree?

[citizenB]

I did notice earlier today that we seem to have fewer new threads in this forum. Wasn't sure what the reason was though

[GrumpyToSayTheLeast]

The new fee structure alone has reduced complaints against EA's and the companies to almost zero.

The rules surrounding how and why we enforce are, for the most part, clear and easily understandable.

Most complaints once stemmed from the debtor not knowing what was and was not legally allowed.

Come the review, this should be tidier again. But you never know with the MOJ.

[swinston]

Ahem, I think we all know the elephant in the room here really.

 

Unfortunately if you look at CAG posts in the bailiff forum over the last few months it's basically just Bailiff Advice's personal soap box, and anyone who disagrees with her view is moderated or banned. THIS is why no real humans come here anymore to seek advice. It's an ever-decreasing circle of theory threads with only the anointed allowed to comment.

 

As the moderation of this comment and my subsequent banning will attest to!

[unclebulgaria67]

Ahem, I think we all know the elephant in the room here really.

 

Unfortunately if you look at CAG posts in the bailiff forum over the last few months it's basically just Bailiff Advice's personal soap box, and anyone who disagrees with her view is moderated or banned. THIS is why no real humans come here anymore to seek advice. It's an ever-decreasing circle of theory threads with only the anointed allowed to comment.

 

As the moderation of this comment and my subsequent banning will attest to!

 

Most people who visit CAG for advice will not even sign up and post a comment. They will read through the various threads and work out for themselves what they need to do. There are also plenty of other places online for information. Most people in need of advice will probably look at several different sites.

 

The problem which you are hinting at, is a long running old dispute between 2 people running bailiff advice sites. Much mud has been spread and it has gone quiet, apart from the odd comment added to the other site.

 

I don't see many posts being added to other sites asking for help. Not as many as in previous years. The new regulations are far clearer and people can find out information on the Citizens Advice site and National Debtline, which people may trust more than consumer forums.

[josephbloggs]

Everyones on facebook getting useless advice from their thats why its quiet on here

[swinston]

Most people who visit CAG for advice will not even sign up and post a comment. They will read through the various threads and work out for themselves what they need to do. There are also plenty of other places online for information. Most people in need of advice will probably look at several different sites.

 

The problem which you are hinting at, is a long running old dispute between 2 people running bailiff advice sites. Much mud has been spread and it has gone quiet, apart from the odd comment added to the other site.

 

I don't see many posts being added to other sites asking for help. Not as many as in previous years. The new regulations are far clearer and people can find out information on the Citizens Advice site and National Debtline, which people may trust more than consumer forums.

 

Fair comment.

Any source of impartial advice that helps debtors and frustrates bailiffs must ultimately be a good thing.

[GrumpyToSayTheLeast]

Fair comment.

Any source of impartial advice that helps debtors and frustrates bailiffs must ultimately be a good thing.

 

Only when its advice that helps them and not random advice that is likely to cause them more costs or loss of assets. Time and time again I see bad advice given on other forums that get laughed at by bailiffs and just triggers and automatic progression to the next stage of enforcement. At least this site backs up what is said with full copies of legislation as proof. Other sites and facebook groups just seem to pick half a sentence and run with it.

 

The "notice must be given" one stands out right now.

It actually reads "notice must be given......by one of the following means" and then rattles of a load of different way of service. I have twice last month seen that cost someone enf1 and enf2 fees as they were adamant I had to hand deliver the notice first.

 

How some of those "advice" sites are able to sleep at night I have no idea.

 

And before you retort with the obvious, I sleep fine. Ty.

[Peterbard]

The new fee structure alone has reduced complaints against EA's and the companies to almost zero.

The rules surrounding how and why we enforce are, for the most part, clear and easily understandable.

Most complaints once stemmed from the debtor not knowing what was and was not legally allowed.

Come the review, this should be tidier again. But you never know with the MOJ.

 

I agree absolutely.

[Peterbard]

 

I don't see many posts being added to other sites asking for help. Not as many as in previous years. The new regulations are far clearer and people can find out information on the Citizens Advice site and National Debtline, which people may trust more than consumer forums.

 

Yes and they are an excellent source of information, the new additions to the CAB information is particularly good.

It is not the purpose of this forum to be an antidote to the sillier forums, but it does seem that in recent years it has adopted that role. It is a shame such a thing is necessary, however I still believe this is a place for people to post their problems and get a intelligent answer, without becoming the subject of someones latest loophole theory or financial venture.

[Bailiff Advice]

Ahem, I think we all know the elephant in the room here really.

 

Unfortunately if you look at CAG posts in the bailiff forum over the last few months it's basically just Bailiff Advice's personal soap box, and anyone who disagrees with her view is moderated or banned. THIS is why no real humans come here anymore to seek advice. It's an ever-decreasing circle of theory threads with only the anointed allowed to comment.

 

As the moderation of this comment and my subsequent banning will attest to!

 

A very silly comment indeed. If you take a look at the profile page for all the regular posters on here you will see that I make less posts then anyone else and in fact.....on average I make just 1.31 posts per DAY (hardly a soap box).

 

As to your second silly comment (that anyone who disagrees with my view is banned or moderated) the truth is that the moderators have all too frequently had to ban two (possibly three) individuals who time and time again keep returning to this forum under different user names in order to disrupt threads and start arguments......almost always regarding one of the individuals differing opinion regarding the use of Removal of Implied Right of Access notices. As far as that person is concerned the notices are effective with bailiff given that they worked in three cases that he was involved with.

[Bailiff Advice]

I have monitored this CAG forum for many years and since the introduction of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations almost exactly one year ago it is clear that the level of forum posts has dropped dramatically.

 

I would also suggest that the seriousness of the forum posts has reduced even further with many just asking what to do after receiving the NOE or questioning other forum guidance.

 

All in all a positive thing for the enforcement industry as whole wouldn't you agree?

 

A year ago the MSE forum would also have many daily enquires regarding bailiffs and that forum now also has significantly less posts.

 

A year ago we had the awful situation where there was a different fee scale for every different debt type and the way in which the regulations had been drafted led to different interpretations of the wording etc. Now...with the exception of fees for High Court debts the same fee applies to every debt being enforced. Also, every enforcement company and local authority's websites clearly outline the procedure and fee scale. The public are so much more aware of the costs if the account is referred to bailiffs.

 

I do not hide the fact that I have a website (not a commercial site but one where calls and queries are free) and up until the end of January approx 1,400 pages a day were read. That number has increased recently to around 1,600 pages . We do receive a significant number of actual enquiries each day but almost all of these are not in any way to do with complaints about bailiffs. In fact, most enquiries are to correct misleading information that debtors ready daily on the internet.

 

It is the case that so many more debtors are 'engaging' with bailiffs at the Notice of Enforcement' stage and agreeing repayment proposals. There is no doubt at all that the regulations are working and it is hoped that this continues to be the case as I have 4 more websites that I have been struggling to get written !!!

[Bailiff Advice]

I have monitored this CAG forum for many years and since the introduction of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations almost exactly one year ago it is clear that the level of forum posts has dropped dramatically.

 

I would also suggest that the seriousness of the forum posts has reduced even further with many just asking what to do after receiving the NOE or questioning other forum guidance.

 

All in all a positive thing for the enforcement industry as whole wouldn't you agree?

 

Your above post was almost a year ago and with the Taking Control of Goods Regulations being nearly two years old, I though that I would update the thread.

 

This morning I viewed all forums providing 'bailiff advice' and with the exception of the 'Closed Groups' on social media ('Boots on the Ground' etc) the number of forums enquiries has significantly reduced:

 

In the case of the 'GOOFY' site (Freeman on the Land) the last 'bailiff' enquiry was two weeks ago.

 

The popular Money Saving Expert site had just 4 'bailiff' enquiries last week (I answer queries on there as Herbie 21).

 

The other 'help' forum received only 3 new council tax enquiries last week and one new 'penalty charge' one. Most significant, is the

astonishing decline

in 'Magistrate Court fine' enquiries. There have been no new enquiries for 10 days and High Court debt enquiries are almost non existent.

 

What this proves is that the regulations are clearly working.

[Peterbard]

Yes indeed and I think that this is a pretty accurate yardstick for serious complaints regarding poor practice in the enforcment industry.

 

Many of the "alternative"advice forums and online groups specialise in advising how to avoid paying or enforcment action which makes it difficult to include their enquiry rate.

[Peterbard]

Probably 80% of queries i see on here and on other forums regard direct payment and avoiding fees.

 

Closely followed by inquiries regarding "vulnerable households" and exempt goods.

[lookinforinfo]

It is obviously a good thing that disputes between bailiffs and defaulters are decreasing partly of course by the clarification of the Law. One could argue as well that the huge increase in bailiff fees

[by that I mean the increase in legitimate fees not the inflated ones that almost became the norm with many bailiffs in the past] has also had an effect. One would have to question one's

own conscience whether the increase in payments on those already suffering hardship is balanced by the decrease in complaints. Bear in mind that those most likely to incur the £235 are those

who are so far in debt that they do not read mail that they think are from their creditors and thus they miss the first letter explaining how the debt escalates if the bailiff is not contacted within

the time limit.

[brassnecked]

Agree lookedinforinfo. The head in the sander's are their own worst enemy. One point to bear in mind regarding Benefit Sanctions, if anyone is sanctioned and are in receipt of Housing Benefit and Council Tax relief they should inform the council and fill in a change of circumstances form to continue the claim on the grounds of no income to avoid any more arrears piling up beyond what they have to top up.

[Bailiff Advice]

Most people who visit CAG for advice will not even sign up and post a comment. They will read through the various threads and work out for themselves what they need to do.

 

Your above comment is so accurate !! With so many people relying upon mobile devices, it means that as soon as they receive a letter or a visit from an enforcement agent, they immediately take to the internet for 'advice'.

 

A few months ago, the bailiff section of this forum was split by the moderating team so that we now have one section for debtor enquiries and this completely separate 'discussion' section which mainly consists of 'information /threads' mainly started by any one of the regular posters on here.

 

In addition, we also have a separate 'Stickies' section.

 

Once the thread disappears from the front page, then unless there is a need to 'update' the thread, it remains in the background and continues to be viewed by the public via internet searches.

 

However, it was only this morning when I looked back at the 'information threads' (approx 220) that had been started since April 2014 (when the Taking Control of Goods Regulations were introduced) that I discovered that these threads had received over one million views from the public !!!

 

PS: The above 'viewing' figures are only in relation to the 'information threads'. here in the 'Discussion' area.

[brassnecked]

Best to make sure the "Truth is Out There" then with consistent accurate information.

[Bailiff Advice]

 

However, it was only this morning when I looked back at the 'information threads' (approx 220) that had been started since April 2014 (when the Taking Control of Goods Regulations were introduced) that I discovered that these threads had received over one million views from the public !!!

 

From the number of viewing that threads on here have had since April 2014, there can be no doubt at all that this forum and the accurate advice provided within it, has played a significant part in educating the public on bailiff enforcement and at the same time, significantly reducing complaints to local authorities and enforcement companies.

 

The Ministry of Justice have pledged that they will undertake a full review of the enforcement regulations after three years (April 2017). With this in mind, it will be interesting to revisit this page next year to see how many additional views the following popular 'threads' receive:

 

Implied Right of Access: 50,000

 

Dangers of injunctions 10,000

 

Making a Complaint to the Magistrate Court....this could get you in trouble: 4,300

 

Another failed injunction: 2,500

 

Goods on Hire Purchase: 16,000

 

Paying local authority direct...who is entitled to these direct payments: 6,000

 

Criminal courts charge: 10,000

 

Vulnerability, Bailiff Enforcement and the TCE 2007: 10,000

 

Notice of Removal of Implied Right of Access (NOROIRA)....where did these bizarre notices come from?? 15,000

 

Attachment of Earnings Orders and Bailiff Fee: 9,600

 

Credit card chargebacks...what happens to the warrants of control: 8,200

 

Warning...credit card chargebacks for bailiff fees: 9,782

 

Court fines..paying the court direct: 6,400

 

Ministry of Justice explains why the Compliance fee is deducted first: 21,800

 

Debtors charged with intenionally obstructing a bailiff (section 68 TCE): 13,900

 

The Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013....a general discussion thread: 23,000

 

Third Party Goods and Interpleaders....dangers: 10,900

 

Internet trolls: 11,000

[ploddertom]

Whilst I may agree that the new Regs appear to be working there does seem to a hard core minority where some Bailiffs/Enforcement Co's have not learned their lessons of the past and still seek to try their luck. Possibly three of the most common complaints are:

1 - no Notice of Enforcement

2 - multiple Enforcement fees

3 - refusing all offers of payment in order to maximise fees

[Peterbard]

Whilst I may agree that the new Regs appear to be working there does seem to a hard core minority where some Bailiffs/Enforcement Co's have not learned their lessons of the past and still seek to try their luck. Possibly three of the most common complaints are:

1 - no Notice of Enforcement

2 - multiple Enforcement fees

3 - refusing all offers of payment in order to maximise fees

 

I would agree that there are a lots of these complaints on fora.

 

Plainly

 

It is very easy to say i didn't receive the notice, I wonder how many of these are legitimate ?

 

Not seem to many of these, perhaps looking in the wrong place.

 

Refusing reasonable offers of payment is a real issue IMO and there should be measure introduced which ensure that it does happen. Again though I do wonder how many are motivated by bailiffs wanting to claim the extra fee and how many are just acting as instructed by the creditor.

[Bailiff Advice]

Whilst I may agree that the new Regs appear to be working there does seem to a hard core minority where some Bailiffs/Enforcement Co's have not learned their lessons of the past and still seek to try their luck. Possibly three of the most common complaints are:

1 - no Notice of Enforcement

2 - multiple Enforcement fees

3 - refusing all offers of payment in order to maximise fees

 

Excellent points (although there are more). Certainly a subject for a new thread (Are the Taking Control of Goods Regulations working?).

[brassnecked]

Whilst I may agree that the new Regs appear to be working there does seem to a hard core minority where some Bailiffs/Enforcement Co's have not learned their lessons of the past and still seek to try their luck. Possibly three of the most common complaints are:

1 - no Notice of Enforcement

2 - multiple Enforcement fees

3 - refusing all offers of payment in order to maximise fees

 

One could say that bailiffs never change, but of the three points, the refusal of all offers to garner a visit and the £235 fee is worrying to say the least Perhaps BA's suggestion of a discussion on the Regulations would be good

[brassnecked]

Excellent points (although there are more). Certainly a subject for a new thread (Are the Taking Control of Goods Regulations working?).

Well worth a discussion.