Need to sort my debts out - (Formally - Jacobs Certified Bailiffs)

RAS

HappyMJ wrote: »

Right probably best to avoid letting them in ever. I think they'll have enough to cover some of the debt. About £300 worth.

I don't have anywhere near enough stuff of value so they give up and return the debt to council.

The OPs possessions are insufficient to meet the debt and they should return the debt to the Council.

bradigor

RAS wrote: »

Do you absolutely need the car?

HDTV + XBOX - We don't watch TV really it is the only entertainment we have. So as a necessity no, but I'd go mad without it. However I assume as these are considered luxury, so there would be no care for this with Bailiffs and they would gladly take these. Would I be correct?

Car - The partner needs it to get to work. It costs less to travel with the car than it would with public transport. Something we have considered previously.

RAS

bradigor wrote: »

HDTV + XBOX - We don't watch TV really it is the only entertainment we have. So as a necessity no, but I'd go mad without it. However I assume as these are considered luxury, so there would be no care for this with Bailiffs and they would gladly take these. Would I be correct?


Car - The partner needs it to get to work. It costs less to travel with the car than it would with public transport. Something we have considered previously.

bailiffs want money, not goods. They very rarely take things other than cars because it is such a hassle.

What they want is to secure the debt on the goods by levying or doing a walking possession order. Big advantage to the bailiff, they can charge a fee of the Levy, they can thereafter come into your house any time they want and you cannot stop them, they can charge you high fees for the privilege of coming as well.

So you find a £150 van fee and another £100 attendance fee added to your debt. Basically a licence to print money.

You need to "sell" that car to someone you trust now, befiore the bailiff levies on it.

bradigor

RAS wrote: »

bailiffs want money, not goods. They very rarely take things other than cars because it is such a hassle.

What they want is to secure the debt on the goods by levying or doing a walking possession order. Big advantage to the bailiff, they can charge a fee of the Levy, they can thereafter come into your house any time they want and you cannot stop them, they can charge you high fees for the privilege of coming as well.

So you find a £150 van fee and another £100 attendance fee added to your debt. Basically a licence to print money.

You need to "sell" that car to someone you trust now, befiore the bailiff levies on it.

We may be able to hide the car in a friends garage, as wouldn't the 'selling' of the car affect the insurance and put that up? Leaving less money per month to settle the debts (not arguing the point, just trying to get things clear)

RAS wrote: »

The OPs possessions are insufficient to meet the debt and they should return the debt to the Council.

Is there any way I can use this to get them to return the debt? Without letting them into my home of course?

Also, is it worth speaking to my doctor about how this is sending me into a depressive state? This is the first time I have been able to openly talk about this, as I would usually keep it bottled up.

bradigor

Quick update on this.

I sent letter to both the council and Jacobs saying all I can afford to pay is £40 per month. The council told me to basically go away and speak with Jacobs.

I got a letter back from them today basically saying:

Pay in full within 7 days

or

Allow a Levy for them to consider a payment plan.

Where do I go from here? I am trying to raise the money to pay in full. Is it worth writing back asking for an extra 30 days to get the full amount?

wherediditallgothen

bradigor wrote: »

Quick update on this.

I sent letter to both the council and Jacobs saying all I can afford to pay is £40 per month. The council told me to basically go away and speak with Jacobs.

I got a letter back from them today basically saying:

Pay in full within 7 days

or

Allow a Levy for them to consider a payment plan.

Where do I go from here? I am trying to raise the money to pay in full. Is it worth writing back asking for an extra 30 days to get the full amount?

Don't go away. In my experience you have to badger the council somewhat to get them to take it back. They will only take it back in my experience if the bailiff gives you reason to complain or if you badger them.

For it to get to bailiff stage you must have missed payments, so if you do get them to take it back you MUST stick to whatever arrangment you make.

RAS

bradigor wrote: »

The council told me to basically go away and speak with Jacobs.

I got a letter back from them today basically saying:

Pay in full within 7 days

or

Allow a Levy for them to consider a payment plan.

Go and see your MP this weekend as this is illegal. They have no legal right to enter your house or levy on your car. The only reason for doing this is so that they can add extra fees.

They also have no right to refuse offered payments, even if they are not as high as they would like.

Are you able to pay the Council directly over internet? If so, do that.

If not, do you have a cheque book?

bradigor

I accept I missed payments and this has gone to the bailiff. I want to get my life straight and pay it off.

Seeing my MP - Does it matter that this is for a bill in Liverpool, whereas I now live in Essex?
Who has no right to refuse the payments? The Council or the Bailiff? If I started paying the Council over the internet, would the bailiff not still try and pursue? Or once I make a payment to the council (regardless of them accepting it back) does that mean they are obliged to take the debt back?

RAS

Sorry, did not realise that the debt was not local.

Neither the Council or the bailiffs can actually refuse to accept payments, they can chase you for the deficit but they have to let you pay to reduce your debt.

RAS

Ok

Send this to Jacobs. (nicked fron hallowitch). What we want to do is to establish now what charges they have added. The reason being that if you send then a cheque, they will try and use it to pay fees to which they are not entitled before sending any to the Council. Which is why paying the Council on-line would be a good idea if you can do it.

This send it on-line to them either by e-mail or their contact page


Name
Address
Ref: Account No’s: 123456/78900
Liverpool council Ref No: 435672
Date
Dear Sir,
With reference to the above accounts, please provide me with a breakdown of all fees charged
This includes:
a - the time & date of any Bailiff action that incurred a Fee.
b - The reason for the fee.
c - The name(s) of the Bailiff(s) that attended on each occasion a Fee was charged.
d - The name(s) of the Court(s) the Bailiff(s) was/were certificated at.
e - The date of the Certification.
The National Standards for Enforcement Agents state that if a written request is made an itemised account of fees will be provided.
Please provide the information requested within 7 days
Yours faithfully
Ripped off customer"