COUNCIL TAX, Bailiff interview URGENT

RAS

dagnammit wrote: »

I did phone council tax recovery this morning to attempt one more time to enter into negotiations with them regarding a monthly payment amount, but was told that I'd have to pay off another, smaller arrears (£60) that have been accumulating for 3 months before they would consider entering into an agreement on the account under discussion at the moment. And this is the case even if I agree to pay £108 per month on a £650 debt.

I simply don't have the money to pay £60 today. They told me the only choice I have is to see the bailiff.

I don't want to let them in. But I've been told that if I don't, the matter will be returned to the council and they can either force me into bankruptcy or send me to prison. I think bankruptcy can only be forced on anything over £750, but what with the outstanding £60 and the bailiff and other hidden fees, it might well reach that amount.

Committal to prison is unlikely, no? It's not as if I'm refusing to pay. It's that I can't right now. So, I will print out a letter and hand it to the bailiff at the door. Can they call back at any other time, and try to get in? I live with 5 others. I have one room to myself, which I can keep locked. If they enter the house but not my room, do they have walking possession? (I assume so but am also crossing fingers.)

At this point, I'm anxious and curious as to how this will turn out.

DG

This is complete cobblers.

DO NOT let the bailiff in.

They will only commit you to prison for persistant non-payment. The minute you told a judge you were trying to pay £60 per mont, the case would fall.

You cannot be made bankrupt for a sum of £650.

The best thing that cpouls happen is the debt is teturned to the council, whowill them accept the £60.

This company are lying to you.

Please ring bailiff advice as even the premium line is cheaper than bailiff fees.

dagnammit

Another quick question: How many times is a county bailiff likely to (try to) visit? If I don't let him in, and then send the letter to him c/o the council, is it likely he'll try and catch me and my housemates unawares on another occasion?

RAS

He can only charge you for two visits.

He can visit you more often and you need to tell your house mates not to let him in. Keep windows locked.

have you checked whether you could have claimed council tax benefit for the time for which this is owing?

RAS

Check with Herbie as there may be a letter you can send telling him you are not going to let him in.

Please note, he wants to come in, it is not that there is no other option, just he wants to be able to charge you the extra fees.

dagnammit

Ok, so the bailiff called just 10 mins ago. I didn't answer the door. He called my mobile, and I answered telling him that I'd cancelled the appointment and would be sending instead a letter addressed to himself and the recovery section, outlining ins and outs etc. He left a standard a-bailiff-called-today-ring-immediately letter. On it is also specified another outstanding amount, that I'm currently paying back but have not met the last three installments (total £234).

I'll let you know what happens. But this makes me panic so much it's ridiculous. Thanks for all the help, esp. Sheila.

DG

RobertoMoir

As far as the prison stuff goes, RAS has given you very good advice (of course), but you might also want to check out mine and herbie's comments on a very similar thread here.

RobertoMoir

dagnammit wrote: »

Another quick question: How many times is a county bailiff likely to (try to) visit? If I don't let him in, and then send the letter to him c/o the council, is it likely he'll try and catch me and my housemates unawares on another occasion?

As has been said already, they can call as often as they want. When I worked as a bailiff, we called at some places no end of times, and at different times of the day. Do be careful - an experienced bailiff is probably much better at collecting debts than most people here are at owing debts, if you see what I mean.

dagnammit

RobertoMoir wrote: »

As has been said already, they can call as often as they want. When I worked as a bailiff, we called at some places no end of times, and at different times of the day. Do be careful - an experienced bailiff is probably much better at collecting debts than most people here are at owing debts, if you see what I mean.

That's useful to know. What about once a letter is sent to them? Would they still try and catch me at home? I know they would love to pile on a load of fees and levy goods etc.

RobertoMoir

They can only charge the fees that they're entitled to charge.

Your letter is you telling them what you would like to do, and I'm sure they'll respond in kind. However, I'd like to win the lottery but God or fate or random change or whoever you prefer to say runs this universe isn't obliged to grant me my wish. And so it is with the bailiffs, I'm afraid. If they want to call, they will. But they can't pile random charges on - though they might try to do so because most people don't realise that.

Herbie21

dagnammit wrote: »

Ok, so the bailiff called just 10 mins ago. I didn't answer the door. He called my mobile, and I answered telling him that I'd cancelled the appointment and would be sending instead a letter addressed to himself and the recovery section, outlining ins and outs etc. He left a standard a-bailiff-called-today-ring-immediately letter. On it is also specified another outstanding amount, that I'm currently paying back but have not met the last three installments (total £234).

I'll let you know what happens. But this makes me panic so much it's ridiculous. Thanks for all the help, esp. Sheila.

DG

I have received your message. Can you please PM me with the name of the bailiff company. My PM box is now EMPTY.....AGAIN.

A Letter MUST be sent.

On the matter of bankruptcy or prison....FORGET these stupid threats...PLEASE.

Last year approx 3 MILLION Liability Orders were issued...can you imagine how many prison places would be needed.....!!!!!