Bailiff posyed notice of seizure letter

Icanandwillsavemoney

Hi

Please can someone advise me.

I am currently saving up the money to apply for bancruptsy so have been holding off paying debts.

I have tonight received a visit from a Bailiff (first visit) for unpaid council tax. I explained that I had visitors on the way and couln't talk right now but would call him tomorrow. He was quite persistant but eventually handed me a letter detailing that he had called and he had added £18 onto the bill for the pleasure.

5 minutes later, he pushed the following through the letterbox:

Notice of seizure of goods.

By virtue of a liability order issued by xxxx court.... I have this day seized, distrained and impounded the goods and chattels listed on the attached inventry.... attached is the details of my car .

The fees added are an extra
£24.50 attendance to levy (5 mins after the £18 levy)
£41 levy fee
£24.50 redemption of goods fee
£480 unpaid council tax
Total is £570.34

It then goes on to say I have 5 days to pay otherwise they will be removed and sold.

I will be liable for the costs of goods to be removed.

There is no clamp on the car as yet.

What do I do.

I have £200 saved for bancruptsy and still need a further £400 to file and the £200 will in no way clear this debt.

Thank you in advance.

Tixy

Hi

I think you will find the info on what charges he is allowed to add on on the baliffadviceonline website. They have a bit specifically relating to council tax bailiffs.

Presumably this is your car? in your name? with no outstanding finance?
Normally people advise hiding your car but this is only before a levy is in place. Once levied I'm not sure hiding it will make a difference. Hopefully someone will come along with some advice soon but in the meantime do check out that website which is run by a lady who used to post on here.

Icanandwillsavemoney

Thank you, I have had a quick look but it doesn't really have much detail on levies on cars. There is only info on walking possessions and i have not received one of those... I don't think???

RAS

Icanandwillsavemoney wrote: »

I am currently saving up the money to apply for bancruptsy so have been holding off paying debts.

if the Council already have a liability order, I do not think that bankruptcy covers CT. Check this on the BR forum, though.

Icanandwillsavemoney wrote: »

Notice of seizure of goods.

By virtue of a liability order issued by xxxx court.... I have this day seized, distrained and impounded the goods and chattels listed on the attached inventry.... attached is the details of my car .

I usually advise that people sell their car to a family member before bailiffs get involved. Yes he can take it unless it is on Hp or you have to have it in order to do your work.

The fees added are an extra
£24.50 attendance to levy (5 mins after the £18 levy) - both are inappropriate - he can only charge these if he has not done a levy
£41 levy fee - I though this was £36, but may be wrong
£24.50 redemption of goods fee - you need to check this out as I think it is wrong
£480 unpaid council tax - anyway you can pay this to the council? I assume the car is worth more than £480 at auction?
Total is £570.34

I have £200 saved for bancruptsy and still need a further £400 to file and the £200 will in no way clear this debt.

Yu could try to negoitiate with the Council via your local councillor.

Which bailiff company, please?

HappyMJ

A BR does cover CT arrears so hold them off as long as you can.

Icanandwillsavemoney

Thank you for your reply.

The company is Bristow & Sutor Civil Enforcment Agents

The first letter he handed me was a visit notification and stated that the amount due was £522.84 which included £18 for his visit today. The second one stated debt was £480 so the first one doesn't add up at all.

I could sell my car to my son or his girlfriend today. The car has a book value of £1800 and has just cost me £450 for new head gasket - was planning to file for bancruptsy next week until it broke down so have had a major set back. So all I have is the £200 left.

Icanandwillsavemoney

HappyMJ wrote: »

A BR does cover CT arrears so hold them off as long as you can.

That is what I was hoping to do I was weeks away from the end goal of no more hiding.

RAS

Icanandwillsavemoney wrote: »

I could sell my car to my son or his girlfriend today. The car has a book value of £1800 and has just cost me £450 for new head gasket - was planning to file for bancruptsy next week until it broke down so have had a major set back. So all I have is the £200 left.

Sorry but it is too late for that now. He can and will take the car if you do not make arrangements to pay.

RAS

HappyMJ wrote: »

A BR does cover CT arrears so hold them off as long as you can.

Please can you check this on the BR forum.

My understanding is that CT arrears for which the Council does not have a liability order are included in the bankruptcy.

But once a liability order is in place, the arrears are not included in the BR.

And they have to have a liability order in place before they instruct bailiffs.

So you need to get this right, urgently.

Icanandwillsavemoney

Oh no.

I work for a rental company and I collect payments at customers houses and need the car to be able to work.

Not sure what to do now

rosyw

I think if you need your car in order for you to earn a living they cannot take it, this doesn't apply if you simply use it to get to work. There's a bit about in in this thread. along with a lor moer useful info.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1837507