Bailiff after someone has moved abroad

[BobTheWalrus]

My friends moved abroad a couple of years ago. Recently her old neighbour from the UK contacted her to say that the bailiffs had been round looking for her on two separate occasions. Because they have been gone a while they aren't receiving any forwarded mail any more, so they're not sure what the bailiffs want or what it's about. Her husband thinks it might be a speeding fine he left unpaid before they moved. Could that be the case? How would they go about finding out what the bailiffs want and how they can sort it out?

[Syd Snitkin]

I wouldn't worry about it - the bailiff isn't going to give details anyway. The debtors have moved abroad - that's now the bailiff's problem, no-one elses.

[Schedule 12]

When the bailiff turns up, just show some photo ID and that'll be the end of it.

[BobTheWalrus]

Why would the bailiff not give details? I know they wouldn't give details to the third party but surely they should tell the person involved what the debt is that they're collecting on?

[BobTheWalrus]

When the bailiff turns up, just show some photo ID and that'll be the end of it.

Not sure if was clear but it's not me the bailiffs have come to. The person now living at the address has told the bailiffs that the person they want (my friend) has moved abroad. But my friend is worried that if she comes back here to visit, the bailiffs will arrest her! Also, she wants to actually pay what they owe because she feels that's the right thing to do.

[Syd Snitkin]

If she's that adamant then she can pass on a forwarding address.

[BobTheWalrus]

How would she best do that? Just give it to the people in her old property so they can pass it on when the bailiffs next come? Or is there a way to track down who the company is and what its about? eg: they think it's a speeding fine, so could they go through the DVLA?

[Syd Snitkin]

Just ask the neighbours to pass it on. The bailiff will then return the warrant as he can't enforce it but will give the new address to the creditor.

[Michelle]

When the bailiff turns up, just show some photo ID and that'll be the end of it.

Not sure if was clear but it's not me the bailiffs have come to. The person now living at the address has told the bailiffs that the person they want (my friend) has moved abroad. But my friend is worried that if she comes back here to visit, the bailiffs will arrest her! Also, she wants to actually pay what they owe because she feels that's the right thing to do.

Bailiffs would be after payment, vehicles or goods rather than to arrest her. Why would she think that? Without knowing anything about the debt or her situation, its hard to comment further. If she owns property or assets in the UK, the creditor could record a charge on her home and even make her bankrupt, depending on the amounts owed. If she's got no assets then there's very little they could do to her.

[BobTheWalrus]

one more question: anyone know if my friend would be liable for the ticket if her husband was the one who incurred it? They drove separate cars so the ticket would have gone to him, but would they both be liable?

[Syd Snitkin]

If it's a speeding ticket then the driver is responsible. If this is not the registered keeper (RK) then when the notice arrives the RK must provide the driver details.

If it's a PCN (parking ticket) then the RK is liable if no-one else admits liability, even if they weren't the driver.