Constant & Co. Ethical Effective Enforcement
An impending visit from a bailiff or enforcement agency can instil a great deal of stress and worry.
If you have recently received notification that Constant & Co. is planning to visit you to discuss unpaid debts, you should take every opportunity to be prepared.
There are things you can do to protect yourself, and understanding your rights will give you a better chance of coming out of the experience unscathed.
We are here to help you take charge of the situation, to protect your family and their belongings.
Where you require specific advice relating to your situation, our resident debt expert, TAD, has all the facts you could ever need to know and can guide you through a troublesome time.
The golden rule when dealing with any bailiff
Never give bailiffs access to your home or belongings.
In simple terms: DON’T LET THEM IN.
A bailiff can only remove your property if you let them into your home—so don’t!
You are legally allowed to keep them outside, but be warned, they will try every trick in the book to gain access to your property. They have a wealth of experience in such situations and know every possible way to get through the door.
So keep it closed and locked at all times.
Keep your windows shut too. If you choose to speak to your enforcement agent, join them outside but not through the door where they are waiting. They’ll have a foot in the door and be inside before you know it.
Constant & Co. contact details:
Company Name: Constant & Co. Ltd.
Other Names: Constant & Co. Bailiffs, Constant and Co.
Address:
First Floor
Woburn Court
2 Railton Road
Kempston
Beds
MK42 7PN
Main Contact Number(s): 01234 340091
Website: www.constantandco.com
Email: admin@constantandco.com
Opening hours:
Monday–Friday: 7:00am–4:30pm
Who is Constant & Co.?
Established in 1973 by ex-police officer Bryan Constant, Constant & Co. is a nationwide enforcement agency that carries out a range of duties including High Court Enforcement services.
As well as debt recovery, they carry out residential, traveller and commercial evictions, site clearances, repossessions, and security services.
The Ministry of Justice regulates all bailiffs and enforcement agencies.
Why would Constant and Co. contact you?
Where a case of debt or rent arrears has yet to be resolved, a creditor can chase the money owed or seek legal support, through the Court system.
Constant & Co Enforcement work for the Court by carrying out the necessary work to resolve the situation.
If you receive a letter about a home visit from Constant and Co., it should state the date and time that they are expected to visit you.
Bailiffs are highly motivated to recover outstanding payments. Unlike a traditional debt collection agency, they are allowed to take your belongings if you can’t find a suitable way to repay what you owe.
Items Constant and Co. can take from you:
- Joint-owned items
- Cash
- Jewellery
- Cars
- Electrical goods
- Televisions
- Luxury items
- Games consoles
- Antiques
Items Constant and Co. can’t take from you:
- Belongings owned by someone else living in your home, i.e., your partner’s computer, children’s toys, etc.
- Work tools and equipment up to £1,350 in value
- Necessary electrical appliances, i.e., cooker, fridge, freezer
- Landline telephone or mobile phone
- Clothes, food and other daily essential items
- Dining tables and chairs for the occupants of your home
- Heating and lighting appliances
- Pets
- Assistance dogs
Convincing a bailiff that the property in your home belongs to your partner or another family member is extremely difficult, so wherever possible, you should make arrangements to protect the things you own.
Having been warned of their visit, this gives you time to do so. Wherever possible, find somewhere else to store anything worth money that you think the bailiffs will try to take. Ask a relative or family friend to look after them until your case is resolved. The same goes for your car or other motor vehicles.
If you’re not sure about whether or not a bailiff can remove specific items in your home, TAD is on hand to put your mind at rest.
What happens to the goods Constant & Co. take from you?
At first, the Constant & Co. agent will only make a list of what they intend to remove to try and recoup money towards what you owe.
This is called a Controlled Goods Agreement. It is designed to show how serious the matter is, and what you could lose if you don’t arrange a reasonable payment plan.
Enforcement agents consider this a last resort. They’d much rather solve the problem amicably, without causing the stress selling your belongings will bring.
It’s far better to seek professional help and guidance. Understanding your options and dealing with your debt will help you retain the things you own, as well as getting back into good financial health.
What happens when Constant & Co. try to take your car?
Without a doubt, your car will be high on the list of your belongings a bailiff will try to take.
A vehicle is often the highest value item we own and will go a considerable way to repaying your debt and covering the bailiff’s costs.
Of course, you won’t want them to take any of your belongings, especially your car, so here are a couple of ways to safeguard it.
- Park it in a private car park, neighbours driveway or garage
- Hide it somewhere the bailiff will never think of looking for it
A bailiff will never take a car that is still under a hire purchase agreement, nor can they take a car with a Blue Disabled Badge.
Bailiff’s fees
Bailiff fees are excessive, and they can charge you for all sorts of processes and actions throughout the debt recovery process. Sadly, it makes repaying what you owe even more difficult.
They will charge you for paperwork, notices, payment requests, collections, sale of goods costs, staff expenses, and so much more.
We can advise you of your best solution to getting out of debt and dealing with each of your specific debt issues. If we can help you avoid a bailiff’s visit and their high costs—we will.
Support from our trusted debt advice partners will help you determine the state of your debt to be certain you do owe the money, or if it has been statute barred.
If they can challenge the debt, they will make sure you don’t have to pay them a penny.
If, however, the debt is live, then they can help you find a debt solution that suits your circumstances to help regain control of your finances.
Your debt solution will allow you to repay what you owe with monthly payments based on what you can realistically afford each month.
For help dealing with your debt, talk to TAD to be connected with one of our trusted debt partners.
