URGENT! Income Support/Housing Benefit/Council Tax/Bailiff.

moosticks

Yes, I applied for it (it's on the same form as HB in Brighton). And I was awarded it. I have all the letters as I never throw anything like that away.

SuziQ

With regards to the bailiff, they don't play fair, and if they ever gain entry to your house (even from an open window-also now is the time to only open the door with a chain or other devise on, as when they get a foot in the door they will lean their shoulders on and push their way in-even if it knocks you over as happened to me!!) They are not allowed to take beds or essential cooking stuff, if you have receipts to prove what belongs to your boyfriend have them within easy reach just in case, as it is easier to stop them taking the stuff than to chase after them when they have literally walked off to their van with it-again this happened to me, with a computer a special needs charity donated to me son. I would also like to warn you that the Police have virtually no knowledge or interest in what bailiff's can or can't do-again I found this out to my own cost. In my case the baliffs were chasing my ex and they still turn up regularly-I have now sworn an affadavit in front of a solicitor regarding the fact he hasn't lived here for 3 and a half years as he is creating new debts daily, using my address.

I found these people an excellent resource with regards to bailiffs and they may be able to answer your other questions too:

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/agency_information.php

RAS

moosticks wrote: »

Yes, I applied for it (it's on the same form as HB in Brighton). And I was awarded it. I have all the letters as I never throw anything like that away.

Good, so have you rung the Council and checked the dates of the liability order yet?

moosticks

The letter says 24th June 2010 for the liability order (first I've heard!). Includes fees of £24.50. I've tried to get through to the council but had no answer before the lines closed. I guess I'll try first thing...must be busy after bank holiday.

In other news, although I am unable to track down my old housemate himself, I've found his Mum's place of work. I might contact her one mother to another and ask her just to do the right thing and get her son to pay what he owes. That would be a nice, simple way to make this all go away. One can dream, hey?

RAS

Do you mean the LO was granted on 24.6.2010?

What period does the CT bill cover. That is what you need to know.

moosticks

Oh right, ok. I'll make sure I ask them first thing! Thanks a lot.

CIS

Meanwhile, I moved house and informed the council as I was still entitled to benefits. They began chasing me for the outstanding debt, owed by my housemate. I went in to their offices to explain that I was exempt for the period of time they were requesting council tax, but they told me that it did't matter and that I was liable in the case that it went unpaid

As a joint tenant in the property then you are liable for the full outstanding council tax balance -the fact you may have received council tax benefit does not remove this joint liability.


You could have received council tax benefit for 50% of the charge due but you'd still be fully liable for the other 50%.

the baliff CANNOT force entry into a house WITHOUT a court order - he will threaten and intimidate you to try and gain you to "let" him in. DONT FALL FOR IT.

The Liability Order is court order which allows the bailiff powers of collection & entry to a property. There is , of course, no legal requirement to allow him entry but there once he had a peaceful entry to the property he can use reasonable force to re-enter to remove goods. Obstructing the bailiff at this point is a problem as they are enforcing a court order and you can be arrested for doing so.

P.S - it ISNT up to you to prove you DONT owe the debt - its up to the baliff to prove you DO

The court have decided the OP does owe the debt therefore its up to them to satisfy the council they don't.

moosticks

So what do you suggest I do? I've not had any letters or anything asking for the debt. Just a bailiff on my doorstep this morning. I can't really stomp up the money they're asking for overnight..

RAS

Start by finding out what period this liability order covers. AS everyone has said, if the LO was made for the whole year sometime just before you left, then you do not owe the CT because you moved out. But the bill will cover the period after you left. You need to know the dates.

scraggy_anne

Please do not let these people in to your home as once you have they can come in, if u dont invite them in it breaking and entering. Iv had this happen to me twice and they are the nastest people about and think they can bully you and then get down the council, cab or the court and seek their advice, but as long as you dont allow them into the property they can not entre without your say so. Also if you have proof that the stuff belongs to someone else or on hp or in your childrens room they cant touch it.
GOOD LUCK