Bailiff question

Plushchris

Hi

We have had a letter put through our door from Stanford & Green bailiffs saying they called to collect council tax arrears of £496 there is no breakdown of costs on the letter and when I phoned the council they said the liability order ammount was £325, as far as I'm aware they have only visited the house once (when he put the letter through the door)

Now, all there is on the letter is a mobile number for the bailiff, no office number, so I looked up the office number and rung them, they said I need to call the bailiff on his mobile. So rather stupidly I phoned him, he said the minimum he would take is £80 a month and would take the payment over the phone by card or come round and pick it up in cash, neither of which sounds very good to me.

I have phoned the office again to get a breakdown of the costs, they were really unhelpful and kept telling me to phone him back (on his mobile) for the breakdown of costs but I finally managed to get them to agree to send it out by post.

I know I've got to pay it but I just dont want to be paying more than I need to and dont really like the idea of paying over the phone to some guy on a mobile number.

Any tips would be handy!

ElizabethJH

I was in a similar situation.. though I still haven't managed to get a break down of the costs from the bailiff or the office!! (Women at office was sooo unhelpful - just kept on saying speak to the Bailiff - well he's not answering!?)

Do you have an office for your bailiffs nearby? Mine is in the same building as the council tax office... I am able to go directly to them and pay (when I finally get my breakdown!).. but pay cash as they charge for any other kind of payment!

Once I get my breakdown I'm going to get some legal advice on what they are allowed to charge as well before I pay!! Good luck with them!!

ElizabethJH

PS my charges were £169 for him delivering one letter through the door as well!!! If anyone knows what they're allowed to charge then let me know!

Waspeze

The one person who I know knows bailiff stuff is Herbie21, you could try PM'ing her?

RAS

If it is anything to do with bailiffs, read the website that she operates www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk

The charge for one visit is £24.50. It could be that there are court costs too.

I think you both need to pm Herbie21

RobertoMoir

Speak to the council and ask if they will take the debt back, given the reluctance of the bailiffs to discuss what you actually owe. Also, what RAS said. Herbie21 knows their stuff on this, and the website is fantastic.

Plushchris

Hi, Just an update,

I need a little more advice....

I phoned the bailiffs office and asked them to send out a breakdown of the costs, That was 3 or 4 weeks ago, now today I've got home with the following letter hanging out of my letter box (actually hanging out of the door so anyone walking by could have taken it) it does actually have a breakdown of costs..

"RE: Broken arrangement (didnt know I'd made one but still..)

Having failed to clear your arrears, I have called today to effect settlement of this account. The Balance now due is £496.30

I will call again on 17/12/08 to collect the full balance as shown above or to REMOVE GOODS

Breakdown of costs..

Arrears due to Authority - £325.29

Fees (as per schedule 5,1(A(i) & 1(A(ii)) - £42.50

Levy Fee (to scale as per schedule) £33.51

Attendance charges (as per schedule 5 (1) c - £95



Amount now due £496.30


Inventory

S823AGJ Renault (presumably his van?)
Goods + Chattels Required to satisfy debt



So he has visted twice but it appears he charged us this on the first visit (the £42.50 is the price for two visits?) and then charged an attendance fee of £95

My main problem is the figure outstanding hasnt changed from the first visit to the second, is this right?

If so what can I do about it, I'm gonna try phoning the council in the morning as the bailiff isnt answering his phone (not that I really want to talk to him anyway)

Also, how do I stand regarding paying this, I dont really want to give this guy bank details over the phone to a mobile and dont really want him coming round here either, can I insist on paying in cash at the office?

Also, leaving the letter hanging out of the door, surely that breaks data protection? A good 50% of the letter was hanging out and is soaking wet!

I will have the means to pay this off in full on monday and intend to do so but I really dont want to be paying any more than I should (seeing as its coming out of my christmas bonus :rolleyes:)

I know the stock answer in these situations is "PM Herbie21" but his/her mailbox is full so I've posted here in case someone can help.

Cheers in advance!

Plushchris

Any ideas from anyone?

I'm expecting another call today :rolleyes:

mitty_2

I personally would just pay. If he's got the original detail right, then giving details over the phone sounds fairly safe to me.
I'd get it over and done with sooner rather than later & avoid more charges.

ifonlyitwaseasier

call the council tell them you believe the bailiff is trying it on with charges, they can't carge attendence allowance if you haven't spoken to them and they haven't been in the house, go to herbies website, www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk and contact them through that, you'll get help and advice!!

Plushchris

mitty wrote: »

I personally would just pay. If he's got the original detail right, then giving details over the phone sounds fairly safe to me.
I'd get it over and done with sooner rather than later & avoid more charges.

So you would be happy to pay charges that you shouldnt have to just to get rid of them?