Equita Bailiffs and Council Tax Arrears

diamondgal007 · 17 March 2009 at 7:47PM

I have just joined the site and wondered if you all would be able to advise, I have been an absolute idiot, and let my council tax mount up and I now owe £1350 according to Equita bailiffs.

I tried to contact the council but they refuse to talk to me, I have tried to ask equita for a monthly repayment of £50.00 per month, with a view to increasing, but they flatly refuse, and have now put a removal notice through my door, and say they will by force if necessary take my possessions to pay for the debt. They say a £150 charge will be added to the account!

I realise this is my own doing, but I am at my wits end, I am frightened to sleep, and sit in my own living area. Is there something that I can do to try and sort this mess out? Any advise would be extremely grateful.

RAS · 17 March 2009 at 7:56PM

Hi

Please take it gently.

bailiffs can only come into your house by peaceful means. That does mean they can come in via open windows and doors but they cannot break the door down.

They cannot take you possessions unless they have been in the house. I am assuming they have not??

As long as you do not let them in, they cannot levy on your possesions and they cannot take them away.

i am going to post a couple of links for you in a moment as you need to read about other people who have problems with Equita bailiffs and to read up Herbie's web-site.

dotstar24 · 17 March 2009 at 7:59PM

Hi Diamond, am in the same boat. RAS, Herbie & Roberto have been giving me excellent advice. listen to them xxx

RAS · 17 March 2009 at 7:59PM

hi love

Please read this thread and send the letter here to the e-mail Herbie21 quotes in post 11.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1513439

RAS · 17 March 2009 at 8:01PM

Hi

Send the bailiffs name to Herbie21 and read this www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk

Tell Herbie about the situation. She needs to now the name of the bailiff on the letter that was posted through your door.

You Ok with sending the pm, as I have to go soon.

Also follow Robertos advice

Local councillors are really good at this kind of thing and should be available to speak to within the time you have, easily. Fact is, the bailiffs are agents of the council and therefore the council are responsible for their actions. So if the bailiffs are adding on illegal charges and/or refuse to discuss how their total amounts are arrived at then this is the council's problem, and the councillors are our route to getting things sorted when our local council lets us down.

he is an ex-nbailiff so knows the ropes.

diamondgal007 · 17 March 2009 at 8:05PM

Thanks RAS, unfortunately I can't send Herbie21 a pm, her inbox is full! I am about to send the email to Equita, many, many thanks for your help! x

RAS · 17 March 2009 at 8:07PM

Rat bags. She will get an e-mail to say you tried to send a pm. She is very busy but will probably look in anyway, once she knows you are trying to get her.

Has the bailiff been in your house?

And please e-mail your local councillors tonight.

diamondgal007 · 17 March 2009 at 8:13PM

The bailiffs have not gained entry, apparently they will try tomorrow. I have sent the email to equita. I am now finding out who my local councillor is. Thanks so much, I feel I can eat something now!

RAS · 17 March 2009 at 8:18PM

Ok

The thing you absolutely have to remember is that they cannot come into the house unless you let them in. So keep the windows and doors locked and you are fine. if a child were to let them in it is not peaceful entry, not is deception.

Do you have a car? If so, get it off the road and well away from the house.

They are alowed to make a charge of £24.50 for the first visit and about £18 for the second visit.

If you let them in the house, they can add a charge for the levy and then start racking up charges for van fees.

So it is essential that you keep them out. if you want to speak to them, do so through the letter box.

You will be OK.Come back here tomorrow and let us know how you are, please.

diamondgal007 · 17 March 2009 at 8:51PM

Thanks Ras.

I have just emailed my councillors....all 4 of them!

I think something strange is going on with equita. I have 2 baliffs references.... both different sums - yet the recovery notice is only against 1... :mad:

I have given my councillors all the info... I am thinking I need to do Herbie's email to equita to the other reference also?

I dont have a car. or kids! but i do have a neighbour with whom i share a front door with, but then entry can not be gained to my flat, as both flats have their own doors also. (2 separate flats within a converted house).

The information has been invaluable, and very reassuring. Thanks again. :T

fatbelly · 17 March 2009 at 8:57PM

RAS wrote: »

So it is essential that you keep them out. if you want to speak to them, do so through the letter box..

This is how to do it. Watch and enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBRbXOoYpFM

And note that any threat of 'I'll be back with a locksmith' is illegal (on this type of debt).

Equita Bailiffs and Council Tax Arrears

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free