feel like putting my head back in the sand - help!

aliyah

aaaagghhh!!! bailiffs letter received today - they are not listening to me!

i have been sorting through all my debts but equita have proved difficul to deal with!

the debt is a parking fine going back to jan 2005. i appealled against this but was too late for the process and the fine was upheld. due to lots of difficult personal circumstances, i forgot to appeal further :wall:

this £50 fine is now £362.46, all because i parked for 10 minutes in London (using my sons disabled badge) while we went to ask directions for the hospital.
stupidly, and for the same reason, i picked up two further notices nearer the hospital, but these wee both in camden and they were happy to cancel them when i explained the details.

i have recently written to westminster council about the outstanding ticket twice, no answer - but just resulted in a renewed flurryof letters from the bailiffs. so i wrote to them explaining that the debt is disputed, only reply was a notice to say they are calling to remove goods this weekend :eek:

really worried now! can they take my sons motability car (it is in my name)? can i contact them again? i was doing so well sorting all my debts

anybody got any experience of successful dealings with equita or westminster city council?

i didnt know disabled badges mean nothing in westminster and camden!!

thanks so much all, aliyah

THE_LONE_RANGER_4

hi stay calm i had a parking fine similar to yours objected and lost and on reflection i should have paid ,there is nothing you can do now if its gone to court and you have been told to pay you will have to pay ,i dont think they will let you pay this in instalments although im not to sure. but i would suggest try and get the money together for the balliffs you dont want them taking your stuff or car, sorry if the cars in your name its classed as yours sorry i cant be more help reguards andrew

headchef

I can't imagine they would take a car meant for a disabled child!! Of course the car would be in the OP name - child is a minor.

Are you unable to get together the money? I'm sure there is something you can do so please wait for more experienced people than me to come along. Hold on in there x

skintchick

Aliyah, I have emailed you
xx

MrsTinks

The little devil on my right hand shoulder is saying "call the papers! Wouldn't it make a great story that they want to send the bailifs in because you were parking for 10 minutes DISPLAYING a disabled sign whilst getting directions to hospital. Was it made clear that you couldn't park there on a disabled badge? After all you were obviously lost and don't they appreciate how hard it is for parents with disabled children?" But that of course is just the little devil speaking

When they come round this weekend I believe you have 2 choices. 1) let them in and pay them. They will take cheque, card or cash. OR they will take property to sell (and don't think it'll fetch a lot, they don't care what it sells for as they'll just come back for more if it doesn't cover your debts! and if they have to come back then they can hit you for further charges...) OR 2) I believe you can refuse to open your door to them. If you open then you've let them in. If you refuse to open then they (I think) have to get a court warrent to be allowed to force entry (with lock smith usually) but they will in turn charge you for having him break into your property. Nice huh?

Personally I would pay up (if you can) and then dispute it after the fact... it's less stressful especially because of your son. I am sure you don't want it to upset him if avoidable.

As for taking the wheelchair then I believe that one is out of bounds. There are certain things they can't take and I believe medical equipment for disabled people to ensure their mobility or some such, comes under it. CAB might be able to tell you if you call them

beanielou

As far as i understand , they cannot take the car-as it belongs to Matability Finance and not to you.
make sure you have paperwork to show the balliffs ie resistration docs for car which will show car legally belongs to motability finance.
Good luck

aliyah

thanks everyone. your advice is really appreciated. i would go to the papers (and appreciate your offer skintchick) but dont want any publicity!

guess i will have one last try with the bailiffs/westminster tomorrow, offer installments ...then i expect i will have to pay.

i even sent copies of the letters from camden writing off the parking debt with them, but westminster council havent even bothered to answer back. :mad:

will let you know what happens

thanks, aliyah x

Chortle_2

Motability cars are on leases - you don't actually OWN it - so they can't take it off of you!

moxie_2

Try getting in touch with your MP or local councillor, they can often help in situations like this.

moozie_2

What a horrible situation to be in You have my full sympathies. Local Authorities can be so rigid and unhelpful at times.

Best of luck, hope you get it resolved soon :grouphug:

skintchick

Yes, Moxie's idea is very good - your MP will be able to help out. Give them a call.

If you don;t know who they are or how to get in touch, try this

http://www.parliament.uk/directories/directories.cfm

xxx