Council Tax Removal notice

dniester007

I have some Council Tax which is outstanding and have received a Removal Notice. Does the bailiff come round at a specific time? It says from 7pm so does that mean around 7pm or any time in the next week?

a_pedant

A lot depends on where in the process you are. I assume you have had a liability order issued by a magistrate's court (they will have written to you saying this was granted). At this point the Bailiff has no right of forced entry unless you have first allowed them peacable entry, although they will try to make you think they do. Park your car a long way from your house (they can clamp and remove it if they know it's yours) and do not let them in, even "just to sign some paperwork". Check the boards here for a useful letter, alter it to fit your situation - bailiff company name, amount you can offer to repay etc - print it out and have it by the door ready to hand to the bailiff (I made him sign for mine) and refuse to let him in.

The bailiff's favourite tricks count as forced entry, including the foot in the door. The Direct Gov website says "
If the bailiffs come to your home, you don't have to let them in. They can't force their way in, but they can enter through an open window or an unlocked door.
Forced entry includes pushing past you once you have opened the door to them, or leaving their foot in the door to prevent you closing it. Such action would make the whole process illegal."
(can't post links but go to direct gov and search for bailiff)

So lock your door even when you are in the house, keep your windows shut and refuse them entry.

Meanwhile write to the council and the bailiff company with the repayments you can afford, again letter templates are on this site, the bailiffs can only charge for two visits if they don't sieze goods so they tend to make two token efforts and then accept your offer.


Oh, and did I say to refuse to let them in?