Urgent help - equita removal notice

sars
sars Posts: 12 Forumite
edited 13 August 2012 at 8:46AM in Debt-free wannabe
Hi all,

Got back from holiday to find a removal notice from Equita. Am now scared that they will break my door down to remove my goods. What can they do? I have never spoken to the bailiff about from a couple of phone calls and have been making weekly payments of £10 as was agreed with the original bailiff. I did miss 2 weeks due to illness and no internet access. What should I do as I can't afford to pay the total they say I owe?

Should have said it is for council tax
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Comments

  • Glad you can afford a holiday whilst not paying your council tax debts.

    Not paying council tax can result in unwanted holidays at Her Majesty's expense.
    "There are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe a 'Princess Coronation' locomotive in full cry. We shall never see their like again". O S Nock
  • sars
    sars Posts: 12 Forumite
    It was a holiday at my in-laws to take the children to visit there grandfather who is seriously ill - thanks for your input
  • sars wrote: »
    It was a holiday at my in-laws to take the children to visit there grandfather who is seriously ill - thanks for your input

    That is not a holiday - that's family business.

    A holiday is when you sit on the beach having fun! You should have said you were on family business and then people won't get the wrong idea.

    When it comes to people not paying council tax, remember that those that don't pay it increase it for all that do, so many people don't have a lot of sympathy.
    "There are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe a 'Princess Coronation' locomotive in full cry. We shall never see their like again". O S Nock
  • sars
    sars Posts: 12 Forumite
    Apologies for my mistake - head not in right place at moment!!
  • hallowitch
    hallowitch Posts: 1,286 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    has a bailiff been in your home to levy goods or have a levy on your car
    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
  • sars
    sars Posts: 12 Forumite
    No - I have never had any contact with a bailiff at my house
  • hallowitch
    hallowitch Posts: 1,286 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    the bailiff cant break your door down to remove goods bailiffs can only enter by peaceful means through a closed but unlocked door (in other words they can walk in ) through an open window or by invitation

    you keep your doors locked windows closed and don't answer the door to him/her

    If you have a car (not on HP) remove it from the drive /front of your house now keep it parked a few streets away

    If a bailiff has no levy on your goods there is very little they can do

    try and continue making payments to them as normal if they have blocked your account pay the council using there on-line payment facility

    send this to Equita by e-mail [EMAIL="info@equita.co.uk"]info@equita.co.uk[/EMAIL]


    From:
    My Name
    My Address
    To:
    Acme bailiff Co
    bailiff House
    Ref: Account No: 123456
    Dear Sir
    With reference to the above account, Can you please provide me with a Breakdownlink3.gif of the charges.
    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 certificatedlink3.gif at.
    e - the date of the Certification.
    This is not a Subject access requestlink3.gif under the Data Protection Act S7 1998 so does not incur a fee of £10. You are obliged to provide this information.
    I require this information within 14 days.
    Yours faithfully
    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
  • sars
    sars Posts: 12 Forumite
    Thanks - have e-mailed it.

    Do I just wait for a reply now?
  • hallowitch
    hallowitch Posts: 1,286 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    sars wrote: »
    Thanks - have e-mailed it.

    Do I just wait for a reply now?

    yes you wait for a reply but you must continue making your payments as i said if Equita have blocked your account pay the council

    you don't say what council it is

    As a rule if Equita are the bailiffs of choice Capita are the councils back office staff provider who administrate the council tax for the council

    Equita are part of the Capita group of company's

    you should also get in touch with the council and ask them to confirm

    the date the liability order was passed to Equita
    the amount of the liability order
    the outstanding balance to date

    do not be surprised if the outstanding balance is more than you think it should be
    bailiffs are allowed to deduct there fees first from any payments made

    In your case if you have never had a visit from a bailiff then your fees should be nil they will however have added at the very least a 1st visit fee £24.50 and 2nd visit fee £18
    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
  • sars
    sars Posts: 12 Forumite
    I am still paying direct to Equita.

    It is Braintree District Council.

    I will contact the council to get the information.

    Would Equita have passed the money paid to them onto the council?
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