Urgent Help needed - Bailiff advice

madpiano

Hello

I just had a knock on the door. The bailiff will come tomorrow to seize goods. It is for council tax which I owe. I have tried to speak to the council to take the debt back, I have tried to speak to the Bailiff. The council wont take the debt back, the bailiff wants it paid in 3 instalments and wont budge from that. I can't afford it. And I can't borrow the money.

I am not going to be at home tomorrow. Can they break in? If they can, what are they likely to take? The guy who knocked on my door mentioned something about them coming round with the police and a locksmith.

I am really scared. I owe other debts and was going to go down the bankruptcy route, but I am still trying to save up for the £750 which I need to declare myself. I wish the council would just declare me bankrupt.... I really don't own much, and I saved hard to buy the couple of things I do own. I don't want the Bailiff to break in tomorrow and take it all - and it wouldn't cover my debt anyway.

heartbreak_star

They can't break in AFAIK - they can only enter through an unlocked door.

I know someone will be along soon with better advice than me, but fwiw they can only charge you for their first two visits - check the charges.

How much is the total debt? I believe even if you are bankrupt you still have to pay this debt back, though I may be wrong?

HBS x

Heffi1

They are not allowed to break in, or force their way in if you are at home, it is important to lock all doors and windows as they can gain peaceful entry through an open window so make sure they are locked before you leave the house. If you have a car take it and park it a few streets away so that they cannot do a levy on it.

The police and locksmiths will NOT turn up, they say this to frighten you. I will look for a link and post it back here is a few minutes with some more help for you to read through.

Have a read of this thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4208681

madpiano

As these are Bailiffs for the council, can they force their way in? The Locksmith bit really scared me.

hallowitch

madpiano wrote: »

As these are Bailiffs for the council, can they force their way in? The Locksmith bit really scared me.

If the bailiff has not previously been in your home to levy goods

he CAN'T USE A LOCKSMITH AND POLICE TO GAIN ENTRY

bailiffs enforcing council tax have no legal right of entry to levy your goods they must gain peaceful enter through an open window ,unlocked closed door (they can walk in if your door is not locked) or by invitation you never ever open the door to a bailiff you speak to him through the letterbox recording the conversation if you can

madpiano

Nope, he has never been inside. All doors and windows will be locked tomorrow. I am at work, so my car wont be at the address.

The guy I spoke to today didn't even come near my front door, he actually stepped back into the path (I think he heard next door's dogs and wasn't sure if they were mine). And as I have a double front door, he didn't even get a glimpse of the inside. And he didn't say that he was a Bailiff.

He hasn't put a levy on anything either, I thought that is what happens first?

I am just so worried. Not so much about my stuff (an old TV and a 10 year old PC), but they will also seize my daughter's things? (Playstation, Laptop, Flat Screen TV) - I bought none of these directly, they were presents from my parents. But as they live abroad, they send me the money and I buy it for her.

hallowitch

He hasn't put a levy on anything either, I thought that is what happens first?

yes he has to levy first before he can enter using a locksmith keep your car well out the way at all times never park it near your home day or night because he will levy it


what council and bailiff firm are dealing with

madpiano

Confero Collections Ltd - Certified Bailiffs.

The piece of Paper he gave me today is called a "Notice before Seizure"

"I have attended today with a liability order issued by the Magistrate's Court for unpaid Council Tax to xxx.
I will attend without notice with transportation to levy and remove your goods and chattels from Wednesday 03/10/12 11:15am"

hallowitch

"Notice before Seizure"

OK whats written on the notice including fees

do you know how much is outstanding to the council (confirmed by the council not the bailiff)

madpiano

There is nothing else - The total amount due (£2366.39) - and a telephone number to pay - no breakdown of fees nothing else

And no, I don't know how much exactly is outstanding. I have been burrowing my head in the sand for a while now. I know, I owe the debt. I do want to pay. But the bailiff is unreasonable (he wants more than what I earn per month) and the council don't want to know.

RAS

Please ring the Council NOW and ask them for the value of the liability orders.

Exaxtly how much for each year.

NOW, please.

This matters.