dont they need a warrant from the court, or is that just in Scotland?

To gain entry or force an entry in your absence yes. They don't need a warrant if you open the door or leave a window open. They prefer not to go to court as it's time-consuming and costly.

Cheers for all the advice people. Absolutely not opening the door is a good one.
How long do they persist? Do they eventually get the message that the person their after has moved on? Does returning the letters for ever and a day mean they eventually give up?
Have to say, having written this and read the comments, not necessarily sure everyone who calls themselves a bailiff actually is - I assume debt collectors are a law unto themselves, but also have no legal position whatsoever?

Martin

you'll might a wee bit better after watching ITV at 9pm tonight.........:o

this might prove useful reading in the meantime;

http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=151&CONTENT_ITEM_T YPE=0&MENU_ID=10813&EXPAND=10805

and another link

http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/...liff-guide.htm

gives info about bailiffs

Been there, had that...although the debts were mine after a business collapsed in the recession of the early 90's (ironically Nat West foreclosed on a business loan even though Access, their credit card company, owed us twice as much for services that we had provided, but just weren't paying their bills in time :flame:)

We had nasty letters from bailiffs as well. One had a hand written bit of scrawl added to the printed form letter that said "pay up or die", when I challenged them face-to-face they swore it said "payment now due" and that I just couldn't read their handwriting.

Anyhow, been to hell and back with bailiffs, and the people that were the most help were the good old Citizens Advice Bureau. They have trained debt councillors who know the in's and out's of debt back to front. They know the law and your rights and pretty much one visit to them got the bailiffs off our back for good. They might seem like crusty old do-gooders but they ain't half effective.