Council tax bailiff-Urgent Updated Please help!

moneysavingmumofone

Just had a letter through the door saying the bailiff will be back later to take goods. I dont think Ive had any previous correspondence with the bailiff. We've got into a huge muddle with council tax. I believe this is a debt from another year. I dont know what to do, I cant pay it as its £545 I could probably scrape together £20 today. Does anyone have any advice please?

dancingfairy

Council tax bailiffs can't break in. They can threaten all manner of things, ie to take your goods, to send you to prison, to call a locksmith, to call the police etc etc but frankly this is rubbish. They can only charge you for a maximum of 42.50 as long as you don't let them in. IF you let them in then they can do a levy on your goods (for which they will add hundreds in fees) and they can then come back later to take the goods. It is therefore vital that you do not let them in under any circumstances. Go upstairs and hide if you have to or go out for the day but don't let them in to your house.
Have you got a car? If so go and move it several streeets away. If the bailiffs see this and levy on it then they again will add hundreds more in fees etc and I think (not 100% sure they cna impound the car).
There is a really good factsheet on National Debtline's website. I'll post it for you here in a minute.
df
Edit: factsheet is here: http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=02_bailiffs_and_council_tax
Oh and they can do a payment plan if they so wish (as can the council) just don't believe them that they have to come it to phone the office, use the loo etc etc. Do not let them in under any circumstances.

dancingfairy

When you've fended off the bailiffs for today you need to get to the bottom of how much the debt is, what tax year (in case you have several years outstanding) and you need to try and come up with a realistic payment plan for the council. We can help you do that but firstly you need to ignore the bailiffs.
df

moneysavingmumofone

Thankyou I did panic as the letter says 'I will re-attend your premises today and may remove your goods, which can be done in your absence as the law directs...' Id rather stay in as I can lock from the inside but cant double lock from the outside and dont trust it! I live in a flat and after a certain time the outside door is time locked but they could be let in by someone else! Will move the car thankyou! I would like to set up a payment plan, should I call them now or later and I can only offer a small amount per month and am worried they wont accept.

dancingfairy

Even if someone lets them in to a communal area they still can't come in to your individual flat (although it would be embarassing).
I would not call the bailiffs just yet as you are probably still panicking and you need to do a proper budget and work out what you can afford to pay. If the bailiff thinks you are on the back foot things could go a bit wrong.
In terms of accepting it: 1) the council can't refuse money 2) they can't get blood out of a stone. 3) It is more important that you are uptodate on this years council tax bill if possible before tackling any arrears (otherwise you will end up with this years going to court and the bailiffs etc etc and it will be a viscious circle). 4) YOu need to be aware that bailiffs have a nasty habit of preloading fees on to an account so be careful they have not already added a load of fees on to your account.
df

moneysavingmumofone

Good point, I am panicking a lot! I feel sick tbh.

dancingfairy

You could try phoning the council to find out a) how much the liability order is for b) whether that includes the liability order costs, you will then owe a maximum of 42.50 ish on top for bailiff visits (as long as you don't let them in).
How much can you afford to pay towards this? The problem you may have is the council will probably want to get this cleared up by Feb/March year end and you will struggle to do this? Are you on a dmp or anything? You obviously need to try and clear this debt as quickly as you can but without agreeing to payment plans you can't afford.
df
Edit: there is a letter you can send to this effect to the council but I'm not sure where it is on here. I'm sure someone will link it for you later.

moneysavingmumofone

Ive now worked out what year the debt is from (called the council) and how much it was originally. Also realised we did get another letter last week from them (getting totally confused with debts, know it needs sorting asap) and on that it says the debt is £297.19 plus charges of £24.50. The original debt from the council was £272. However today the debt has shot up to £545.69?! Are they allowed to add £224 charges? Thanks for your help. x

moneysavingmumofone

Can anyone please help, I dont know what to do! Bailiffs phone was off so text him, saying he could only add charges of £24.50 then £18 which I think is correct? He text back his company 'called again on 6th august (Id like to know how as the original letter was put through on 14th august??) and the £18 charge was added then. So as today they had no response (they actually only put the letter through, didnt even knock!) they have added £231 fees to the account. The full balance is now due, no arrangements can be made.'
I just dont know what to text back, I offered £50 a month which I thought was fair as the original balance of £321 would be paid off in 6 months and a bit. My partner works 24 hours a week so we only have his low wage plus tax credits and we are about to start a DMP which I told the bailiff. Any advise asap would be great as OH has to leave for work in 20 mins and his phone is the only one with credit. He is a driver so cant be on the phone at work and needs to take it so his bosses can contact him so cant leave it with me. Panicked!

DS4215

I'm not an expert but I don't think they can charge more than £42.50 unless they have been into your flat to do an inventory of goods. If they haven't been in, then they could be trying it on with the charges.

Keep the door locked - otherwise they can just walk in and look around.

Heffi1

Try to stay calm, as long as you do not let them in, there is absolutely nothing they can do but shout and call you names, theya re powerless unless you let them in to take an inventory of your belongings.

Do not open the door to anyone, ask who it is through the door if necessary, if it were me, then I would just no answer the door at all.