council tax bailiffs help please

videoking

i recently had the bailiffs round for 1780.41 i contacted the council disputing the bill they told me i had 3 bills outstanding with 3 different bailiffs
after appealing against it i got part of it reduced due to the property being empty i phoned up 8 days ago before i went away for a week and thought i was getting somewhere but now
bailiff 1 wants 804.27 witch ive paid 50 off before went
but in my mail
bailiff 2 (rossendales of lancashire) of witch 542.44 of the dept was passed onto sent me two bills in the same envelope one for 879.19 and another for 1001.96 dated the 22 october and on the dated 31st oct not timed or signed i recieve a notice of bailffs attendence of 897.19 plus costs
baliff 3 (not contacted yet) i owe 695.00 too

rossendales witch i owe 542.44 have only contacted me with the letter and the bailiffs attendence letter ive got 3 bills 3 different prices and the notice of attendence is not signed but has the name m smith im surely getting conned
ive not talked to anyone yet

what should i do?????:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

mcjordi

pm herbie21 she will help

CIS

Assuming the balance is correct then you need to discuss with the bailiff - the authority I work for is pretty much the same as other authority's in that once it's with the bailiff then you need to deal directly with them, the only input we will give except in extreme circumstances is to make any adjustments to the balances outstanding.

If the bailiff is forced to return the case to the council then potentially you are looking at bankruptcy or even committal.

videoking

so what your saying is rossendales can charge me 1001.96 for a 524.44 bill
please advice me on what i should say to the bailiffs

CIS

You need to query the charges directly with the bailiff and pass any complaints about the fees back to the council as any fees that can be varied (most are set in law) will have been agreed with the council..

videoking

thanks for your your responce but went to council paid bill in full no bailiffs fees and am now sending bailiff email that full bill is paid ill let you know if that sorts it out

louloubell36_2

I HAD THE SAME THING WITH ME. had baliffs letter which was first i heard of it. 222.00 plus there charges oer 600.00. i phoned council and they said as long as i pay money in straight away at there office it would be ok. i told the baliff that and within 10 mins he was around my door saying too late! i was scared and had to pay him.

videoking

louloubell36 when did this happen apparently you can claim back excessive charges free site available will get back to you with details

Fixyfantastica

Videoking - they can't charge you those amounts as they are illegal.

You need to request a breakdown of their charges in writing first. Do not deal with them in any shape or form over the phone, and ask them to only speak to you in writing. I will PM you an amazing website that are really helpful but DCAs can only charge around £30ish for the first visit and £18 for the second.

The website I will send you are really helpful so please please use them and follow their advice - they are brilliant.

Good luck - don't get scared, just make sure that you have all the information you need before you proceed and don't fall prey to their bullyboy tactics. Remember at least 40% of their charges go straight into their pockets in normal circumstances, and clearly they are trying to obtain nearly £1k off you here.

Louloubell - you can reclaim the charges in the normal fashion and have 6 months to reclaim - get onto it asap.. will send you the same website details.

Best of luck both - DCAs are horrific to deal with but you can get through it and come out on the other side smiling!

Fixyfantastica

CIS wrote: »

Assuming the balance is correct then you need to discuss with the bailiff - the authority I work for is pretty much the same as other authority's in that once it's with the bailiff then you need to deal directly with them, the only input we will give except in extreme circumstances is to make any adjustments to the balances outstanding.

If the bailiff is forced to return the case to the council then potentially you are looking at bankruptcy or even committal.

Committal is rare and is a lengthy process and the phrasing above includes the word POTENTIALLY. While this is an option the council can eventually look at, they need to be satisfied that regardless of thier and the DCAs contact that you have refused at all attempts to pay this council tax. The DCA cannot return the file to the council for the outstanding charges that they are attempting to recover, and additionally, you have paid the outstanding council tax and now are disputing the charges from the bailiffs which you have every right to do. Do not contact the bailiffs other than in writing and if they visit you refuse entry. I assume and hope that they have not as yet obtained a walking possession (if they have, you are in a slightly stickier position as they have every right to then enter your home) and they cannot access your home or remove goods without one. Tell them that you are currently in dispute with the DCA and are awaiting contact with them (obviously as long as you are) and close the door. Better still, speak to them through a window.

Additionally, you need confirmation from the council that the outstanding amount is satisfied and then you will be fine to pursue your dispute with regarsd to the charges.
But do not listen to anything the DCA say about