Council Tax Debt help with Bristow and Sutor

gameharris22 · 12 October 2016 at 4:22PM

Hi
I have an outstanding council tax debt from Richmond Council which has now been passed to Bristow and Sutor. I havent arranged any repayment plan with them (despite receiving several calls/letters emails from them) yesterday I received a letter hand delivered through my letterbox saying they had tried to collect the debt which had now been increased to include a call out charge. It said i needed to phone him before 9pm to arrange repayment. I did not do this and I am concerned of additional visits before I can arrange to pay them back. My questions are:
when can I reasonaby expect a 2nd home visit if I fail to pay or arrange a repayment plan?
How long do they generally leave between 1st and 2nd visits if no arrangement is made?
How often and how many home visits do they make if no arrangement is made?

Thanks for the help in advance
Harry

National_Debtline · 12 October 2016 at 4:36PM

Hi

It’s really up to the enforcement agent’s schedule so it’s difficult to answer your questions. I’d guess that they’ll leave it for a few days to a week before coming again. They normally try around 3 – 4 times before passing the debt back to the council but each case could be different.

The main point is that they can’t just keep adding fees each time they come to you home. They can add an initial £75 compliance fee, and then a £235 enforcement fee. They could only add extra fees then if they took control of your belongings.

As long as the enforcement agent hasn’t been allowed inside your home they can’t force entry. The key thing is to keep your door locked, don’t let them inside, and keep any vehicles you own in a garage or well out of the way.

Show willingness to pay by offering an affordable amount. If they will not accept your payments save them up. You could also try offering payments directly to the council.

This factsheet might be useful:

www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/council-tax-recovery/counciltaxdebt.aspx

James
@natdebtline

CIS · 12 October 2016 at 4:40PM

I'd agree with the above - the enforcement agent will make a judgement call at some point as to whether he thinks it's worth him continuing. The decision usually depends on his workload as he has to justifyto his employer what he's managed to collect.

Craig

gameharris22 · 12 October 2016 at 4:49PM

Thanks guys. I cant pay anything today but may be able to make arrangements to start to pay next month. Do you think its likely they will accept an arrangemnet like this and hold off another home visit or continue to send them round? And should I call Bristow and Sutor office or the person who knocked on my door to arrange this?
I just really dont want the bailiff knocking on my door even if I have no intention of answering the door or talking to them when they come.
Thanks again

CIS · 12 October 2016 at 4:57PM

gameharris22 wrote: »

Thanks guys. I cant pay anything today but may be able to make arrangements to start to pay next month. Do you think its likely they will accept an arrangemnet like this and hold off another home visit or continue to send them round? And should I call Bristow and Sutor office or the person who knocked on my door to arrange this?
I just really dont want the bailiff knocking on my door even if I have no intention of answering the door or talking to them when they come.
Thanks again

Generally speaking , once it's with an enforcement agent they'll deal with the whole case and their office will not intervene unless necessary.

The enforcement agent / company should not refuse any payments you do offer but they don't have to agree a payment arrangement. They may refuse to accept a payment arrangement without a walking possession order.

Craig

National_Debtline · 12 October 2016 at 5:05PM

****Cross posts with CIS****

Hi GameHarris,

James has gone home for the day so I thought I would respond to you. You are in a difficult situation and unfortunately, it is harder still to predict what the bailiffs will accept. The key thing to do here is start communicating with them. You should write or email the office directly, and include a SOA to show how you have arrived at your offer and your proposed start date. Ask them to accept this instead of continuing to visit. You can highlight that you are aware you haven't got to let them in, so everything is secure (including things outside).

They may still visit again, the only way to guarantee this won't happen is to pay it is full. However, they cannot add any more fees now unless they get in or get you to sign something, so it is arguable it is more in their interest now to negotiate with you. Even if they refuse the offer, send it anyway or save the money at home ready. Post a SOA if you need any more help with your offer.

Laura
@natdebtline

Council Tax Debt help with Bristow and Sutor

Comments

Categories

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