As of: February 6, 2024, 1:32 p.m
By: Marco Blanco Ucles
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If bills are repeatedly not paid even after reminders, one day the bailiff will come to visit, an unpleasant situation.
Ignore invoices and reminder notices for ages as if they never existed?
Not a good idea, there are better ways to save money.
Because then it is possible that one day the bailiff will be at your door.
Now things can get uncomfortable.
First of all: Simply not opening the door will not help you any more than the unopened invoices before.
If the bailiff cannot find you, it is possible that he will return with a court order, warns the
consumer advice center
.
Bailiffs are often employees at the main customs office
Who is the bailiff anyway?
First of all, you don't have to be afraid that the person will storm the house and attack you like a debt collector from an American movie.
Bailiffs are commissioned by a state body.
This means: Public creditors - for example the tax office, city treasury, social authorities or statutory health insurance companies - enforce their debts through their own enforcement officers, who are usually employees of the main customs office.
By the way: Do not confuse the bailiff with an employee of a debt collection agency.
This person has no right to enter your apartment.
Therefore, be sure to ask for the person’s ID card to be shown to you first.
Overlooked reminder notice?
It can be unpleasant if the bailiff suddenly appears on the mat.
© Panthermedia/IMAGO
Legally, you don't have to let a bailiff into your home at first.
However, you should remember that the officials generally want to find a solution together with you.
If you don't open the door, the bailiff can return with a court order.
If he has this in his hands, he can also have your apartment door opened with the help of the locksmith - you bear the costs for this.
By the way, you can also build up debt by inheriting - make sure you prevent that.
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Ideally, you can pay the outstanding amount directly to the bailiff.
Most officers carry a card reader with them, so you don't need to have tons of cash in the house.
You can also try to arrange payment in installments with the bailiff.
The
Federal Office of Justice
explains: “The bailiffs are authorized to make an installment payment agreement with you at their own discretion at any time.
What is important is that the installment amount is chosen so that the claim is settled within 12 months at the latest.”
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Of course, things get trickier if you are unable to pay the amount.
Don't worry: the bailiff, who in some federal states now carries pepper spray for his protection, is not allowed to clear out your entire apartment.
Items for personal use cannot be seized.
These include clothing, furniture, televisions, wedding rings and kitchen appliances.
However, if you have a high-quality luxury television in your apartment, it may well be seized and exchanged for an older model whose value is significantly lower
“Cuckoo” serves as a security seal
The bailiff cannot take the seized goods directly, for example because they are too large.
He puts a deposit seal on it – colloquially known as a “cuckoo”.
Don't worry: the deposit seal is placed in an invisible place so that not every visitor can immediately see that the bailiff has stopped by.
However, don't come up with the idea of removing the item from the apartment or selling it - this will make you liable to prosecution.
The seized items will be collected after a period of time if you are still unable to pay your debts.
If you want to prevent the bailiff from visiting you in the first place, the book “The only book you should read about finances” is a real recommendation.