Bailiffs Are Pursuing You About Someone Else's Debt

Bailiffs are authorised to attend the address specified in the Warrant or Writ of Control for enforcement purposes. However, their authority extends only to taking control of goods that belong to the debtor named in the document.

If the debtor does not reside at the address in question, you have the right to file a statutory declaration to remove that address from the enforcement power.

According to Paragraph 14(6) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, bailiffs may take control of the debtor’s goods at their residence or place of business.

However, should the bailiff be notified that the debtor no longer resides or trades at that location, it becomes the creditor's responsibility to determine the debtor’s current whereabouts. You, as the individual, are not required to inform the bailiff of the debtor's new address.

Paragraph 10 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 states, bailiffs are only empowered to take control of goods that are owned by the debtor specified in the enforcement power.

When a bailiff arrives at your property, remember that you have the authority to ask them to leave. You can record a video using your mobile phone and instruct the bailiff to depart quietly.

If the bailiff refuses or becomes confrontational, you have the right to immediately contact the police by dialling 999 to report the disturbance.