Jacobs Bailiffs - Council Tax

RAS

Miss_Malice wrote: »

Council Tax for period 11.7.11 to 31.3.12 £680.52
Less single person discount £170.13
Plus liability order costs £90.00
Less payments £280.00
Balance £320.39
Jacobs bailiffs are collecting this amount so there will be their costs in addition to the above amount.

As long as you keep the bailiff out of the house/flat and he does not levy on a car, the maximu charge he can make is £42.50, if he visits twice. He needs to leave a notice of the visit on each occasion.

Beyond that, he cannot add any more charges.

Miss_Malice

Okay so I was advised a week or so ago to send a Request for Freedom of Information so that the council could explain the contract they have with Jacobs and this is what I got back from them.

Dear Miss Ridley.

Notice of refusal issued under section 17, Freedom of Information Act 2000

I am writing further to your request for information received at this office on 13th August 2012 to advise you that the information you requested is being withheld under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“the Act”). Under the Act, Bolton Council has a duty to supply any information it holds on request, unless there is an exemption. It is the Council’s policy only to apply the exemptions where there is a genuine risk of harm or prejudice.

You requested:
I would like to request a freedom of information request please and a copy of the service level agreement/contract they you have with Jacobs.

In this case, we consider that the exemption under section 31 of the Act applies to this information because disclosing the information would prevent the council from effectively carrying out its duty to enforce the The Local Government and Finance Act 1992 and the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement)


Should you disagree with our decision, you may appeal to:

The Borough Solicitor, Bolton Council, Town Hall, Bolton, BL1 1RU

Should you further disagree with the decision following the appeal you may wish to contact the Information Commissioner:

In other news, I have not heard or seen Mr Ian Hobson. He has not been to the property. And I have and still are paying the council direct.

dancingfairy

I suggest you put you put your proposal to the council in writing. How much can you afford for this year? Can you get this years cleared by March? This really should be your priority even if it only means paying 5 pounds or 10 a month towards the arrears.
You will also need to communicate with the council to make sure your payments get allocated correctly as you may find that all payments go towards this years debts and none to previous years (or the other way round) so ideally you need reference numbers for each libaility order so you can pay by internet bank or standing order and give the correct reference number - otherwise you could find a) more fees and b) you have broken 'your agreement' and c) that you are in credit in one year but owe loads for another year as the systems aren't always that clever.
If you have it in writing that you are trying to make an arrangement with them, that you refuse to deal with the bailiffs as you are not confident that a) they have the right to your personal details that have been passed to them and b) they are rude and threatening it should go in your favour a bit. Obviously then stick to what you say even if you don't formally get an 'agreement' from the council.
Best of Luck
df

dancingfairy

Hopefully the council will agree to a payment plan for this year and not pass it to the bailiffs (and save you 42.50). It works out about 90 a month from September to get it cleared.
Are you on any benefits at all?
Also are you paying any other non-priority debts?
Best of Luck
df

aj501

I have the same problem, with the same bailiffs except mine's for unpaid parking fees and I have 24 hours to pay in full which is in excess of £380, I too cannot afford to pay in full. I too shall do what you've advised but there was no email address provided on my letter, just a contact number but based on the outcome of you calling him I think I won't bother with that and go direct to email.

Could you please send me the email address so I can do this? It would be much appreciated

Thank you

RAS

aj501 wrote: »

I have the same problem, with the same bailiffs except mine's for unpaid parking fees and I have 24 hours to pay in full which is in excess of £380, I too cannot afford to pay in full. I too shall do what you've advised but there was no email address provided on my letter, just a contact number but based on the outcome of you calling him I think I won't bother with that and go direct to email.

Could you please send me the email address so I can do this? It would be much appreciated

Thank you

Hi

the rules about bailiffs and parking fees are so different to those regarding CT that you need to start your own thread because the info in this thread is useless.

Go over to the parking forum on here because they will be much more use.

fsantos

hi hope you can help please.... I made a agreement with Jacobs and its 2 months left to pay but I'm short of cash this month, so i call them and ask if i could pay everything next month (the 2 payments left). they said i need to keep the agreement and if i dont pay this month, i will need to pay another £110 for chargers and they will take my goods. what can i do please

hallowitch

fsantos wrote: »

hi hope you can help please.... I made a agreement with Jacobs and its 2 months left to pay but I'm short of cash this month, so i call them and ask if i could pay everything next month (the 2 payments left). they said i need to keep the agreement and if i dont pay this month, i will need to pay another £110 for chargers and they will take my goods. what can i do please

have the bailiffs been in your home previously to levy goods
what goods did they levy what fees did they charge

If they have a levy on your goods and you miss a payment they can charge an atendance to remove fee of £110 but they wont remove your goods

fsantos

they've been in my house before, when i signed the agreement, what is the best thing i can do please. i want to paid but i cant do it at the moment, i want to settle the lot next month.

cammo2000

im sorry, but as a past employee of the bailiff company mentioned, i have to disagree. they operate to strict practice and very professionally at all times. due to the nature of the industry ie (collecting money) legitamately, for unpaid taxes, this upsets people! they do not operate in a thretening or uncaring manner EVER!