Do I have to prove I'm not the debtor to a bailiff chasing a debt from a past tenant?

The bailiff may enter relevant premises to search for and take control of goods,^[1] and relevant premises is where the bailiff reasonably believes that they are the place, or one of the places, where the debtor usually lives, or carries on a trade or business.^[2]

When the occupant of the relevant premises tells the bailiff the debtor does not live there, then the bailiff no longer reasonably believes the debtor lives there.

The bailiff does not have the authority to enter and search the property to satisfy himself the debtor does not live there, and the occupants may seek damages.^[3]

A person may seek relief for the wrongful interference of his goods.^[4][5][6]

^{[1] Paragraph 14(1) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007

[2] Paragraph 14(6) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007

[3] See Neil Tunstall vs Direct Collections Bailiffs Limited (DCBL) and Mr Hussain

[4] Section 3 of the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977

[5] Civil Procedure Rule 85.4

[6] See Making a third-party claim}