Urent advice re bailiffs

krissys

Where to start...My husband was made redundant in Dec 2008. we quickly put a benefit claim in to our local council but various documents were lost and eventually we got benefits awarded in the May 2009. However these were only partially backdated. As we paid council tax by DD, we were unable to keep up repayments for the rest of 2008-2009. Come April, even though we had a claim going through, it got passed straight to the bailiffs as a liability order had been issued. (council knew a claim was going through but said they had to pass it to bailiffs but once I was awarded backdated benefit, they would have to take it back). It was put on hold with bailiffs but as award only partially backdated, i still owe money. Please note that bailiffs have never amended the amount despite requests to do so.

Anyway next thing bailiff knocking on my door with van. Already charged visit fees and levied against neighbours car and van fees etc. Bailiffs refused to remove levy and van fees. I wrote to council who removed levy but said that bailiffs could still make van fee. I put in complaints to highest level, all which were rejected. Council also refused to take debt back. Took complaint to local authority, also rejected.

In addition the guy that came to my door had no certificate which i included in my complaints but when the council replied they included details of a bailiffs certificate but this was a different guy.

Since then i have had various letters. I make monthly payments but are still threatened by them in the form of letters and visits as they will not set up an arrangement. They still have not ammended amounts.

I know I am doing eveything right but the stress is literally starting to have an effect on my health. I have 4 kids and have to sit in the heat of our living room as I am scared to open windows in this heat in case they climb in while I am upstairs.

Please help!!!

Fang_3

Is your husband working now?

DarkConvict

Don't complain direct to the council, use a local county counsillor or locla MP, it works much better.

The van fees can only be charged if they had intent to remove goods, as such if they have not been inside the house and obtain a walking possession order they cannot be charged.
For council tax without a levy it is 1 visit and 2 letters, total of £42.50 without gaining entry or making a legal levy.

For council tax collection bailiffs do not have to be certified.

Was their a reason for partial back dating?

krissys

Hi, yes he is working but it is a very low income and we still get some help towards our council tax.

Backdating was due to tax credits mucking about with our new award and council only backdated to when they received all of the supporting documents in.

They then lost our child benefit award letter which we had to resupply and wait another 2 weeks. They backdated to the March.

DarkConvict

If he was off work did you claim the 25% discount or does this not apply?

CIS

If he was off work did you claim the 25% discount or does this not apply?

It wouldnt apply as there are still 2 adult occupiers in the property ((un)employment has no bearing on this)

DarkConvict

Cheers CIS