Navigating Stanford and Green debt can be tricky. While not everyone is obligated to pay, turning a blind eye can lead to unexpected complications. So, what should you do next with Stanford and Green? The answer might surprise you…
Fact Checked
Table of Contents
MORE
LESS
If you’ve recently received a unsettling letter from a company known as Stanford and Green, it’s natural to feel concerned about the potential consequences.
Rest assured, this guide is designed to offer reassurance and shed light on your present circumstances. It aims to simplify your experience when it comes to managing debt collection matters involving Stanford and Green by providing you with the most up-to-date information.
Who are Stanford and Green Debt Collection?
Stanford and Green Civil Enforcement, located in Maidstone, Kent, assist local authorities and businesses in tracking down and collecting overdue debts.
This includes:
- Arrears
- Unpaid debts
- Invoices
They get involved only after a debt case has been to court and the debtor has received an order from the court to pay. In a case where a commercial business or a local authority still doesn’t receive the payment from the debtor, this is when Stanford and Green step in for debt enforcement services.
Unlike many, Stanford and Green don’t just rely on sending reminders or making phone calls. Their process is more engaged. They ensure that court verdicts don’t merely remain on paper but see the light of day. Their main goal is to respect and enforce the rule of law.
- Trustworthiness: Stanford and Green have built a trust bridge with local authorities and businesses. Their reliability is what makes them stand out.
- Efficiency: Their swift and decisive approach ensures that debts don’t remain lingering for too long.
- Professionalism: Every debtor is treated with respect. No overly aggressive tactics, just persistent and consistent follow-ups.
Are Stanford and Green bailiffs?
Yes, though the term ‘bailiffs’ is outdated, Stanford and Green are indeed professional enforcement officers. Their core responsibility revolves around ensuring that individuals and businesses honour their legal debt commitments, primarily those that have been sanctioned by the courts.
They will attempt to collect the debt without visiting your house. But in a case where you ignore them, they will have no option but to make a house visit and attempt to seize possessions. They will then sell these items and use the money to pay off the debt.
Who do Stanford and Green recover debts for?
Predominantly, Stanford and Green play an active role for local councils and businesses based in the UK. From chasing pending council tax arrears and unsettled Penalty Charge Notices to redressing benefit overpayments, they cover a wide spectrum.
Their tireless dedication positions them as the last line of defence when it comes to ensuring debts find closure, especially post-court decisions.
Some debts they try to cover include:
- Unpaid Penalty Charge Notices (Council parking fines)
- Commercial debts owed to UK companies
- Council tax arrears
- Benefit overpayments, such as housing benefits
They help in the recovery of these debts after a debtor receives an order to make the payments from a court judge. This is because bailiffs can only step in during the last stages of the process of debt recovery after they’ve used every other method and the debtor still refuses to pay.
Stanford and Green reviews
Online platforms are brimming with varied accounts of interactions with Stanford and Green. While a few recall moments of anxiety, others commend the company’s consistent professionalism. Such reviews, mixed and diverse, offer a window into what one might expect. Some of their reviews are as follows:
“I owed a lot on my council tax debt. I have found Stamford & green to be understanding. I have always kept in contact with them if I needed to change payment dates, etc, or couldn’t pay as much each month. They have always helped me with my payment plan…read more” –Kelly Vandenberg
‘I personally went through a really difficult time financially, and they got my council tax…for about six years if not more…….the council were the horrible ones, not the bailiffs that came to me……they were really good and understanding and made arrangements to pay really easy….even giving me Dec free so as I could put it towards Christmas when my children were little…read more” –Gail Deen
“Horrible bullies who, instead of trying to listen and understand each individual customer, resort to threats while talking to you in a patronising and belittling way. Awful…read more” –Jordan Bousfeild
“Bullying try to intimidate you do not care if you have mental health issues or your circumstances…read more” –Joe Hill
Have you received a Stanford and Green Notice of Enforcement?
A Notice of Enforcement is a letter that enforcement officers should send to debtors at the beginning of the debt recovery process. The letter consists of information such as who they are and that they have received an order to collect your debt.
Note that this letter is also a warning that states that if you don’t make the payment or respond, they will visit your home within 7 days to seize your assets to clear the debt.
A few things that you should know about this letter are as follows:
- Open Communication: Stanford and Green believe in clear dialogue. This notice acts as a bridge, a starting point to communicate.
- A Reminder: Sometimes, debts slip through the cracks of our busy lives. This notice serves to gently jog your memory.
- An Olive Branch: It’s not an immediate escalation but a chance for resolution. This gives you a final chance to discuss payment methods, such as a payment plan or another option if you’re unable to pay.
A word to the wise: sidelining or overlooking this notice is not in your best interest. If you ignore it, some consequences you might face include:
- Mounting Fees: Ignore the notice, and the fees won’t ignore you. They’ll accumulate, making your debt balloon. This includes:
- £75 for sending the Notice of Enforcement
- £235 (or more if your debt is over £1,500) if bailiffs visit you
- £110 to store and sell the seized goods
- Home Visits: Nobody enjoys unexpected guests, especially not bailiffs. Heed the notice to avoid such uncomfortable scenarios.
- Stress and Anxiety: The mental toll of an escalating debt situation is undeniable. Act in a timely manner to keep worries at bay.
Your best course of action is to not retreat but to respond. Engage with Stanford and Green. Discuss, negotiate, and find a middle ground.
Remember, they’re not adversaries but facilitators aiming for a resolution.
Do I have to pay a Stanford and Green debt?
If a court has decreed it, it’s advisable that you pay the debt. Swift action can often change the trajectory of this journey. By either settling your debt promptly or negotiating a feasible payment plan, you not only save yourself additional stress but also potential escalating costs.
So, if you receive a Notice of Enforcement from Stanford and Green, make sure to get in touch with them without delay and discuss a payment method.
How to stop Stanford and Green bailiffs
A twofold approach often proves most effective. Firstly, either clear the outstanding amount or negotiate a mutually agreeable payment structure. Secondly, if you belong to a designated vulnerable group, it’s crucial to convey the same to Stanford and Green.
Legally speaking, certain vulnerable categories are exempted from the aggressive follow-ups of enforcement officers. A few examples of vulnerable people include:
- People over 65
- Pregnant women
- Children below 18
- Individuals suffering from mental health issues
- Individuals suffering from serious health issues
Staying On Top Of Your Debts
One of the difficult aspects of being in debt is that the industry isn’t always transparent. A common tactic that some debt collectors use is calling you from different numbers, names, and addresses. In some cases, it’s for genuine reasons, but other times, it’s a method of intimidation and confusion. So, make sure to stay aware and understand what’s going on.
Some of the largest debt collectors (and different names they use) to keep an eye out for in the UK are:
- Robinson Way (Sometimes contacts under the name Hoist Finance)
- Credit Style (also contacts as Credit Style and CST Law)
- Lowell Financial (also owns Overdales and does debt collection under both names)
So, if you get contacted by a debt collector, make sure to go through your emails and post and ensure that you haven’t missed anything. This will help you to confirm if they’ve started contacting you using a different name.
Stanford and Green Civil Enforcement Contact Details
Website: | https://www.stanfordandgreen.co.uk/ |
Email: | nfo@stanfordandgreen.co.uk |
Phone: | 01622 683308 |
Fax: | 01622 683369 |
Address: | Knightrider Chambers, Knightrider Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6LP |
Need more help dealing with bailiffs?
The journey with debt, often winding and unpredictable, doesn’t conclude here. A plethora of resources and experts stand ready to guide those grappling with bailiff-related issues. If you want free advice and guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to a debt charity. A few debt charities you can contact are as follows:
- StepChange
- National Debtline
- Citizens Advice
If you want additional debt help and guidance, we also recommend that you speak to a qualified and licensed debt advisor. Feel free to click on the link, and our Money Advisor team will guide you on the path you must take for a debt-free future.
Alternatively, feel free to fill out our online form by clicking here if you want personal help from our Money Advisor Team based on your current financial standing.
Key Points
- Stanford and Green operate as a reputable debt collection company, actively collaborating with local authorities and commercial entities in the UK to recover overdue amounts.
- Stanford and Green function as enforcement officers (previously termed bailiffs). Their power includes confiscating items if individuals don’t settle their debts or if they don’t negotiate a feasible payment scheme.
- On receiving a Notice of Enforcement, it’s crucial to immediately reach out to Stanford and Green. Addressing the debt or setting up a payment arrangement can help evade additional charges and potential in-person visits.
- Special demographics such as senior citizens, the disabled, or expectant mothers can notify Stanford and Green about their status. This notification may halt enforcement officers from making a house call.
- For those grappling with unmanageable debt, there’s hope. Several debt solutions are available in the UK, possibly enabling one to write off a chunk of unaffordable liabilities with the help of companies like Stanford and Green.