Outstanding council tax bill and bailiffs charges

jovichick123

Hi all,

I really need help with a situation I have found myself in regarding my council tax bill

Currently, myself and my partner have 3 separate bailiffs chasing us for amounts owed on previous council tax bills. I am not making any excuses and have tried to come to arrangements to pay all in installments, however, as I am not working at the moment, we could not afford the minimum amounts that they would accept so nothing has happened.

I have recently recieved a small amount of inheritance and am planning to clear the three balances as soon as the cheque clears in my account (Friday at latest). Having spoken with the council today and made the offer to make the payments directly to them, they have rejected that and advised I need to liaise with the bailiffs directly. The amounts outstanding are as follows:
£355.95
£534.00
£705.74
Making a total amount liable to the council of £1284.69

On speaking with the bailiffs, the amount they want me to pay is £2137.95..... That makes a difference of £853.26 in charges that have been added to the three accounts....

I understand that they are entitled to levy fees for visits made etc but this seems excessive to me given that none of them have actually gained access to my home.

The bailiffs advised that they would not reduce the fees and the council will not help, can anyone advise how best to proceed, I can afford the amount actually owed but not the amount the bailiffs are requesting.

Any advice greatfully received and apologies if it is a bit of a rambling post :P

x

jovichick123

Hiya,

Sorry for being impatient lol just wondered if anyone has any thoughts on this or have I posted in completely the wrong area - wouldn't be the first time lol

Thanks again,
x

RAS

Hold on a mo.

Meanwhile - have any of the bailiffs been in the houSe and done a levy?

RAS

havh a look on http://www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk/ and send a pm to Herbie21. RobertoMoir knows his stuff too.

the bailiffs can charge for the first two visits at a total of about £45 unless they have done a levy. i suspect they can get away with charging that for each debt.

Send Herbie21 the name of the bialif companies and the names of the individual bailiffs.

jovichick123

No, the bailiffs haven't been in, just been calling round and dropping letters through the door. One did turn up with a van the other week and my 4 year old ran to the door and opened it but the bailiff didn't come into the house, just left a letter for my partner.

I will send Herbie21 a message now, thanks for the advice

x

jovichick123

lol just read that back, obviously I was behind my 4 year old when he opened the door, it was his birthday and we were expecting a delivery :P

Didn't want anyone to get wrong idea there lol

RAS

You will need to send each company a letter demanding a breakdown of charges (herbie will send you the password to run it off).

When you get this I recommend that you not only talk to herbie21 but also get hold of your local councillor and the Revenue officer at the Council and complain.

jovichick123

Will do, thank you very much for your assistance, much appreciated

x

Herbie21

In the first instance have you received confirmation form the local authority of the actual amount of the Liability Orders passed to the bailiffs. This is VITALY important.

Next, I do hope than you have NOT mentioned that you will be coming into money as this is sweet words to a bailiff !!! You need to be CAREFUL.....very CAREFUL !!

If is important t get a breakdown from each company but frankly this could take a few weeks by which time the bailiffs will return and additional charge applied.

Because so many bailiffs read these posts I have sent a private message to you with further advice.