Bailiffs coming out over council tax

MFUK

Well had a letter a couple of weeks ago about bailiffs coming over none payment of council tax (I was on full JSA) so I should have been getting full benefits of council tax and housing benefit. I rang the head office at the job centre as now I am in PT employment so the job centre staff haven't got my records on their computers any more. Anyway they sent me proof of my JSA and dates so I could send it to the council tax people which I did. Anyway got another letter from the bailiffs saying they are coming within 7 days with a van to remove my belongings. I don't know what I can do. I have a 4 year old little girl so obviously I don't want to end up in prison or get all our possessions taken away. Can anyone help?

Dunroamin

Did you actually apply for council tax benefit when you were on JSA?

MFUK

Yes and I got the letters through saying how much housing benefit and council tax benefit I would be receiving. I had to pay about £6 rent (water rates I think that was for). It is so annoying me as it seems they just don't listen. I wasn't getting letters for council tax payment whilst we lived at the old place but suddenly I have been getting a letter regarding payment. Surely they wouldn't leave it for years?

midnight_express

Do you actually owe council tax ?

asdf1982

dont think i understand

this is a debt from the past? at the time you should have been getting council tax benefit and weren't. Is this currently in dispute?

If you phone the debt collecting company and give them details of the dispute and say its being looked into (is it?) they should delay it.

yes they do chase it up after years

MFUK

Midnight express to my knowledge no. And asdf1982 I came off JSA in 2011 and since then been working part time. I have disputed it many times but it seems that the letters don't either go out or they can't be bothered to fax them off to the correct place. I rang the council tax line and they told me to get onto the job centre to get proof and send it to them. I did that. But still getting letters. Not sure if this benefit is from the old address or this one but I moved in here in May 2009 and was still on JSA they don't make it very clear what address it is from. I am so confused. I am going to ring the council tax number again tomorrow and have another word and the debt collection agency too. Just worried they will just barge in without any thought or regard for my 4 year old and scare her.

HappyMJ

MFUK wrote: »

Midnight express to my knowledge no. And asdf1982 I came off JSA in 2011 and since then been working part time. I have disputed it many times but it seems that the letters don't either go out or they can't be bothered to fax them off to the correct place. I rang the council tax line and they told me to get onto the job centre to get proof and send it to them. I did that. But still getting letters. Not sure if this benefit is from the old address or this one but I moved in here in May 2009 and was still on JSA they don't make it very clear what address it is from. I am so confused. I am going to ring the council tax number again tomorrow and have another word and the debt collection agency too. Just worried they will just barge in without any thought or regard for my 4 year old and scare her.

They will NOT barge in unless you let them.

The easiest way to avoid them trying that is to not answer the door. If you want to and it's totally up to you you can speak with them through the window. You do not have to speak with them.

Eventually the debt will return to the council and you can negotiate with the council.

You will NOT go to prison for being unable to pay your council tax. Prison is reserved for those people who have the money and choose not to pay.

asdf1982

MFUK wrote: »

Midnight express to my knowledge no. And asdf1982 I came off JSA in 2011 and since then been working part time. I have disputed it many times but it seems that the letters don't either go out or they can't be bothered to fax them off to the correct place. I rang the council tax line and they told me to get onto the job centre to get proof and send it to them. I did that. But still getting letters. Not sure if this benefit is from the old address or this one but I moved in here in May 2009 and was still on JSA they don't make it very clear what address it is from. I am so confused. I am going to ring the council tax number again tomorrow and have another word and the debt collection agency too. Just worried they will just barge in without any thought or regard for my 4 year old and scare her.

ok ring debt collecter first, find out the exact dates, tell them its being looked into, that should delay it

i had same thing debt collection letter that i owed council tax, i knew i didnt so i phone them, it was from 7 years ago when i was at uni! (but after we moved out). They said ok we'll put it on hold while you send us proof you had moved out.

MFUK

I always thought that if it is due to council tax they can just come in. I think I read this somewhere. I'm hoping the council will listen to me tomorrow. I'm not very good when speaking to "authority" type people. I get nervous.

MFUK

asdf1982 wrote: »

ok ring debt collecter first, find out the exact dates, tell them its being looked into, that should delay it

i had same thing debt collection letter that i owed council tax, i knew i didnt so i phone them, it was from 7 years ago when i was at uni! (but after we moved out). They said ok we'll put it on hold while you send us proof you had moved out.

Do I need to send proof to the bailiffs? I sent it to the council tax place and they said they would send it to the relevant sources. I told them I had rang the job centre and was waiting on proof a couple of weeks ago so weather the letter to them got delayed due to the Easter bank holiday etc I don't know. I am just so worried.

asdf1982

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/debt_e/debt_action_your_creditor_can_take_e/debt_bailiffs_e/how_to_stop_bailiff_action.htm

this link gives advice about council tax arrears and how to stop baillifs. it also says you can contact citizens advice for more info