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JBW Bailiffs

Aston83
Aston83 Posts: 41 Forumite
Tenth Anniversary Combo Breaker
edited 8 May 2012 at 1:48PM in Debt-free wannabe
Hi all.

I have run into a bit of trouble with my council tax. I thought i had been paying it by direct debit, however it now turns out i haven't. I had a bailiff turn up on my doorstep, to which i managed to keep him outside at all times.

I blame myself completely for getting into this situation, however after contacting the council collections team, tehy cannot retract the debt and contact with the bailiffs themselves have been worthless, even though i have offered them payment in form of a payment plan, they have turned it down, however stating they would accept it if i allowed them into my house to arrange it.

My questions are, is there any way i can get the debt retracted or is there anyway i can get them to be reasonable. Also, can anyone help me with the fees they have written on the form as i dont understand them, but from what i have heard, they may be untrue. Im afarid ill come home from work to find the house empty.

Any assistance or even just personal experience of this company would help. many thanks

Comments

  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 35,804 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Hi

    Bailiffs are not allowed to break into your house.

    Bailiffs are not allowed to refuse a reasonable payment offer "unless you let them in." They want to be able to charge you extra fees.

    If the bailiff has visited you twice, they can only add £42.50 in fees and no more ever unless they levy.

    They have a nasty habit of front-loading fees and add illegal ones and hoping you do not know.

    They also pay their own unacceptable fees before they pay the CT to the Council.

    Do you have a car?
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
  • Aston83
    Aston83 Posts: 41 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited 8 May 2012 at 3:16PM
    Hiya. Thank you for your response. Yes i do have a car but as far as i am aware, if it used for work commitments then they cannot take or clamp it. As i use it to drive to work (56 Miles per day) they cannot take it. The form they gave me on thier very first visit stated these fees but i do not understand them:

    Balance before todays visit: £696.57
    Attendence to levy fee: £46.00
    Attendence to remove fee: £150.00

    Total Balance: £892.57

    He has since not returned.

    Does this seem correct to you? Nothing was said or done at the door except that i would be sending the compoany a SOA.
  • hallowitch
    hallowitch Posts: 1,286 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Aston83 wrote: »
    Hiya. Thank you for your response. Yes i do have a car but as far as i am aware, if it used for work commitments then they cannot take or clamp it.


    This is only relevant for work purposes (not to get back and forward to you work)
    for example a mobile hairdresser who was the only user of her car for carrying equipment and getting to clients

    As i use it to drive to work (56 Miles per day) they cannot take it. The form they gave me on their very first visit stated these fees but i do not understand them:

    Balance before todays visit: £696.57
    have you confirmed with the council this is the amount outstanding on the liability order
    Attendance to levy fee: £46.00

    £24.50 if its a first visit £18.50 if its a 2nd visit
    Attendance to remove fee: £150.00
    attendance to remove fee can only be charged if there has previously been a levy on goods
    Total Balance: £892.57

    He has since not returned.

    Does this seem correct to you? Nothing was said or done at the door except that i would be sending the company a SOA.


    Find out if the outstanding balance is correct then start by making a formal complaint to your council

    In the meantime hide your car far away from your house because JBW will clamp it they are very aggressive bailiffs in my opinion

    check the register to see of he is certificated to JBW
    http://certificatedbailiffs.justice.gov.uk/CertificatedBailiffs/
    I am not an expert I am self taught i have no legal training any information I post is based on my own personal experience and information gained from other web sites


    If you are in any doubt please seek legal/expert advice help
  • Aston83
    Aston83 Posts: 41 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Thank you all for everything so far.

    My partner was in the house on wednesday just gone and a bailiff turned back up to the door. Because she was scared, she never answered the door, however he started walking all the way round the house peering in all the windows. He soon left, however there was no slip or paperwork left behind.

    We have had no phone calls or emails from them regarding our payment offer however we have sent payments to them and they have all been accepted. When we contacted them after the first visit, they were very rude and blunt to us. The trainee was having to talk on behalf of the supervisor then lied when we asked if they were there. He then accused us of being rude to the trainee operator even though he was stood next to her the whole time. So we said to re-run the tape then call us back when you are done then we can find out if we had actually been rude or not. He backed down.

    Anyway, does this mean if they ever go back to court we can say that we have offered and they have accepted payment? I have no idea what position this puts us in.

    I have now started to park my car another street away aswell.

    I will keep you guys updated so people have some kind of pre warning of thier tactics.
  • hallowitch
    hallowitch Posts: 1,286 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    http://certificatedbailiffs.justice.gov.uk/CertificatedBailiffs/

    did you look to see if he certificated and to JBW
    if he is how long has he been certificated

    DON'T put his name on the forum
    I am not an expert I am self taught i have no legal training any information I post is based on my own personal experience and information gained from other web sites


    If you are in any doubt please seek legal/expert advice help
  • Aston83
    Aston83 Posts: 41 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Yes i have and unfortunately he is registered however it is to the Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court? Surely as it is Braintree County Council it should be registered under Chelmsford County Court?
  • sgtbush
    sgtbush Posts: 178 Forumite
    It does not matter if you say his name. It is public knowledge and must be publishing so is not subject to data protection.

    It does not matter in which court the certificate was issued. The certificate allows the person to levy under the laws of distress in England and Wales
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