BAILIFFS 'repossessed' the wrong home, changing the locks and disconnecting the gas, water and electricity.
Leanne Faulkner, 30, returned to her Wythenshawe apartment and discovered some of her belongings packed into cases and her firdge and freezer had been emptied.
The former air stewardess also found a large notice on the door saying that she had seven days to remove her possessions.
Leanne admitted she had been in arrears with her mortgage but said a deal had been struck with GE which would see her sell the apartment.
She added: "I was struggling financially due to number of reasons but I'd sorted that out with GE long before this happened."
It is understood that there had been a repossession order on the flat, but that it should have been withdrawn and the bailiffs called off.
Her mortgage company GE Money has now admitted that they sent the bailiffs in by mistake and blamed it on an 'administrative error'.
Leanne said: "When I eventually got in I couldn't believe it. There was a big sign on my door saying my home had been repossessed and I had seven days to get all my possessions out.
"My post box had been taped up and so had my taps. The electricity and water had also been turned off."
Leanne added: "They'd even taken food out of the fridge and freezer. They'd changed the locks on the windows and just left them open so anyone could get in. There were muddy footprints everywhere. I was stunned. It was as if the place had been ransacked."
Leanne was left to fork out over £300 to get her utilities back in working order and to change the locks back again.
"I wanted them changed back because I was worried they would come back seven days later," she said. "And they'd scratched all the door which needed repairing. They'd even taken two tins of paint."
Leanne, who has lived at the flat for four years, said she is now afraid to spend nights alone at the flat and has been staying at friends and with her parents.
"I just keep thinking they'll come back through the door and take all my stuff," she said.
After an initial call from GE Money, Leanne did not receive any apology or explanation of what happened.
"They don't return my phone calls and they've not even told me there'll be an investigation," she said.
When approached by the Manchester Evening News, GE Money contacted Leanne to make an offer of compensation but she claims the sum offered is not enough.
The company said that the repossession had been down to 'an unfortunate administrative error'.
A spokesman said: "Bailiffs were regretfully instructed to take possession of an incorrect property, resulting in significant inconvenience to Miss Faulkner.
"This situation is clearly unacceptable and we have taken necessary steps to ensure that this sort of thing does not happen again.
"We have since apologised to Miss Faulkner and have made an offer to cover the costs she has incurred, as well as compensating her for the distress this situation has caused."
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Aneeq Qureshi (10/07/2009 at 10:08)
Yeah right. Time to milk as much money from them as possible. Does greed not have a limit?
john davis, Salford (10/07/2009 at 10:15)
nicked-name, greater manchester (10/07/2009 at 10:18)
David of Ashton, Ashton (10/07/2009 at 10:20)
Tezza, Tyldesley (10/07/2009 at 10:27)
my god i've heard it all now
gillykins, urmston (10/07/2009 at 10:33)
Maybe It's Me, Any Town (10/07/2009 at 10:34)
The Higher Openshaw Exile, MANCHESTER (10/07/2009 at 10:35)
Sam Anderson (10/07/2009 at 11:31)
Neil Mcnab's Moustache, manchester (10/07/2009 at 11:37)
Ace , manchester (10/07/2009 at 12:08)
Salford Ken, Adelaide, South Australia (10/07/2009 at 12:09)
I would like to see GE put out of business, they do far more harm that good.
Knowsleyman, Paphos (10/07/2009 at 12:10)
For the likes of GE and Bailiffs the simple answer is no.
Knowsleyman, Paphos (10/07/2009 at 12:11)
For the likes of GE and Bailiffs the simple answer is no.
Miss M, Manchester (10/07/2009 at 12:34)
A Manc and blue (10/07/2009 at 12:43)
my god i've heard it all now
Tezza, Tyldesley
10/07/2009 at 10:27
Quite a few people from there dont admit to living there. They just say we live near the airport
jeffb, buxton (10/07/2009 at 12:50)
Bejjy ex Salford now Malta, Malta (10/07/2009 at 13:12)
In the case of GE Money and the firm of bailiffs it is them that you should be asking the question of whether does greed not have a limit; my guess, to them it doesn't. In my opinion, the bailiffs under instructions from GE Money entered the property illegally and should be dealt with by the Criminal Justice system. Ms Faulkner should be reimbursed for the damage that was caused and the distress this has caused her. If GE Money and the firm of bailiffs refuse to adequately compensate her then I suggest that she takes civil action against them.
chriso, manchester (10/07/2009 at 13:13)
There is no real advice or help for people, who ever you contact there is always a price?
well we can all exspect more news like this as more people lose there jobs every day and are refused any money from jobseekers.
theres no hope or help, you just sit and wait in the dark.
Fed up with britain
chriso
Acid, Chadderton (10/07/2009 at 13:37)
Miss M, Manchester
10/07/2009 at 12:34"
Wonder how old YOU look Miss M? This story isn't about how old she looks!!
Redtooth, Manchester (10/07/2009 at 14:47)
JTC Formerley JimC (10/07/2009 at 15:14)
debholt, Manchester (10/07/2009 at 15:20)
Just for the record, it would have been a Judge who would have ordered this repossession - a property cannot be repossessed without a repossession warrant signed by a Judge and ONLY County Court Bailiffs can repossess private properties - Certified (private) Bailiffs can only repossess commercial property or remove squatters/gypsies from private land.
Once the possession warrant has been signed it's up to the Defendant (the lady in question) to apply to the Court to have it stayed (postponed either for a period of time or indefinitely). NEVER EVER trust the lender to do this for you.
Gaz, Gorton (10/07/2009 at 16:54)
Thye have been given billions to start lending gain but have sat on it and most banks are now making money again but not by lending to those who bailed them out.
I have been in dispute with a utility company over a property I own that was vacant for a year but now has a tenat. Empty property gets a bill for £765 for a year, I challenge it, they saw it will cost ME £60 to calibrate the meter, refuse to pay bill, summoned to court. Then leccy board say revised bill of £480 due to error, I refuse to pay and get more legal threats etc. Yesterday am told as it vacant no bill. No apology nothing.
Times a changin', Manchester (10/07/2009 at 17:00)
my god i've heard it all now
Tezza, Tyldesle
Someone from Tyldesley knocking Wythenshawe.....Glass houses & all that.
Manc & Blue who said about people saying they live near the airport instead of saying Wythenshawe....why? I guess some people would rather just say that and avoid snobbish sly remarks that some simpletons tend to come out with.
Always makes me laugh how people who in reality usually know VERY little about Wythenshawe are the first to tell others how bad the place is !!!!