council tax removal of goods letter from bailiff

Homer_71

firstly sorry if i've posted in the wrong place. I have a debt with the council tax yesterday (8/03/10) a bailiff put a letter through my door it stated i owed a Balance of £558 and i had 24hr to contact him and pay in full I can't do this but i 've just come off the phone with him having offered to pay £150 today and the balance next friday he refused this saying i had to pay in full by 17.30 (10/03/10) is this the usual treatment. he states i've already been contacted twice which i have no recollection of. Is it worth me speaking to my local council or has it gone long past that. Also he told me the removal van and police were booked for the removal of goods can i prevent the bailiff from enterering my property. I know this is my responsibility but any help will be gratefully recieved.

Tixy

Homer_71 wrote: »

can i prevent the bailiff from enterering my property.

Absolutey you can

If he hasn't been in the house yet then whatever you do do not let him in (if they turn up then talk to them through the letterbox or anything rather than speak to him).

They cannot charge for a removal van unless he has already levied goods (either by being in your house of levying you car or any outdoor possession.
Do you live alone? are you certain no one else in the family has spoken to him?

This site might be useful reading until an expert turns up to advise you on here
http://bailiffadviceonline.co.uk/counciltax.htm
(the site is run by a regular on DFW)

pure_dead_dopey

Homer

this is not my area but I don't think a bailiff can take anything without levying it first and to do that he has to be in your house. I also think it you are quite able to refuse him entry, so if he can't get in, he can't levy, so his van is going to be a bit useless. Someone else will be along with some more helpful advice, try not to worry too much (difficult I know)

krissys

This is exactly what i am petitioning about. They always say they have ade two visits. This is as 2 visits is the maximum they can charge for. Funny how no-one ever recalls letters or visits being made.

Try phoning the council explaining you are trying to make offer and it is being refused. They will probably try to fob you off but remind them that they are responsible for the bailiffs actions.

Also let the bailiff know you are doing this. Ask him for his certificate so that you can check he is registered. Many firms will use unlicensed bailiffs on the off chance that you pay. Check it is a cert and not ID these are different.

Also get a breakdown of fees. AT this moment you should only be charged £42.50 for the two reported visits any more than this and charges are illegal.

DO NOT let the bailiff in under any circumstances, hide your car if you have one and lock doors and windows up tight.

Make lots of noises to the firms demanding breakdowns and certs. Most of the time they move onto someone more vunerable.

This is what I am petitioning for as these companies are commission based and so do whatever they can to get the money. I want the councils to take back over using salieried employees.

Please if you think this is helpful sign my petition. I cant link it as site does not allow ut email me at krissys1981 @ yahoo . co. uk and I will send the link for the petition

HTH

krissys

Sorry note to self.....always proof read before posting!!

krissys

BTW Police are only called if there is a disturbance of the peace and even then they will only stand by and keep the peace. They will not support the bailiff in entering your property.

However, I have heard stories of bailiffs winding the situation up and the police standing by them but still the bailiff is acting illegally by implying that police are a threat

Want2beFree_2

We have just been in a similar position and i know it's not nice. We have paid the debt in full but the yesterday had two letters shoved through the door saying notice of second attendance and that for each letter we had to pay £42.50. so after the nearly 2 thousand pound debt now the bailiffs are trying to fleece us for £85 we don't have. Hope it all works out for you

Homer_71

thanks for the advice and support in regards to an early question I do live alone but sometimes my stepsons stay with me and for the last 3 weeks i've been very ill and had to spend a week in hospital but neither of the stepsons have mentioned anything about any visits in that time.

I-need-to-make-£

Hi there, try not to let this worry you too much. I understand that the minimum the council will except for a council tax bill if you are in arrears with it is £5 per week per debt (as some people do have more than one year) (past debt). As long as you can prove that you really cant pay the full amount by submitting a financial statement and that you can not pay any more then they should except this. Most of the time the councils pass the debt to the bailiffs but sometimes they will pass it back. I found this out from my local council when a friend was in arrears. I would contact them to ask what the minimum amount is they will except. My friend got herself into a state over the bailiffs knocking/sending letters but they actually are not allowed to do anything. The only time they can enter a property is if you let them in or if you leave a window/door open.

Anything you send them must be either hand delievered or get proof of posting (send recorded). As long as you are willing to pay an amount then they need to except it. They are not allowed to force you into it as when the council goes to court this is when they request the full amount to pay under the liability order.

If you dont mind me asking are you in receipt of benefits or wages?

It will be ok, just hang in there!!!

Tixy

If the stepsons are minors then anything they did (let the baliffs in or signed paperwork etc) would not be valid.

It is worth checking with them just so you know for sure before you have any more contact with the baliffs.

gonzo127

blank

sorry didnt think before posting this would not have been helpful