council tax arrears - bailiffs coming - but not our fault!

idiot_3

hello, i'm back again!

right, i have moved into a student house with 4 others. we kept getting letters thru regarding arrears on council tax addressed to our landlord. we duly passed these on to him, and he assured us he would 'sort it out.'

we thought nothing more, until yesterday one came advising us that the bailiffs will be coming within the next week to remove goods to settle the debt.

again, we called the landlord. his response was, again, 'yeah, i'll sort it out.' however like with other faults around the house, he seems to have been a little laissez-faire with 'sorting it out.'

now i have a rudimentary understanding of this, having done some over-the-phone debt collecting. i have told the others that on no account should the bailiffs be let in. infact we have agreed to simply not answer the door at all, unless someone has ordered a pizza or has friends coming over or whatever.
we have called the company concerned, but they said they will only deal with our landlord.

the main problem lies in the fact that a couple of the guys are awaiting their ct exemption certificaes from their uni. we are all a bit concerned really as although it is in the landlord's name, it is our stuff they will be taxing, and he seems to be very unconcerned to solve the problem and pay what he owes. (the house was only recently re-done, and was private accom, not a student house before we moved in, and so as such he does owe the money.)

other than sitting tight, and hoping he does indeed 'sort it out', is there anything more practical that can be done?

with it being regarding ct, rather than say an unsecured cc debt, can we refuse access to the bailiffs?

would it be acceptable to help them 'fall down the stairs' were they to gain access?

cheers, idiot.

Jen_Jen_5

the letters may be addressed to the landlord and maybe for a different year.

but you are liable for ctax while you live there, you not your landlord are responsible for telling the local council who you are and your status as a student.

contact your council, tell them the dates you moved in, who is in the address and proof of your student status and tenancy agreement

then ask them to tell the bailiffs - the council have instructed the bailiffs that the landlord doesnt live there and so can they call them off.