Rossendales and recovering council tax

AngeyC

Hi all,im new here and after some advice.

A few days ago after arriving back home from being out with my daughter I noticed an envelope had been posted through my letterbox. I opened it to reveal a letter from Rossendale Debt collectors about a council tax debt from an address I left nearly a year ago. The letter goes along the lines of "Magistrates Liability Order, I have attended today with the intention of seizing your goods and chattels as are necessary to discharge the above debt". I immediately phoned the council as I was under the impression that this debt was already being recovered through my partners job seekers allowance. The woman on the end of the phone informed me that the job center had told them that there has been a change in circumstances and so they stopped it. I told her that this had been resolved and was through a fault at the job center and could they start taking the payments again. She informed me that because there had been costs incurred by Rossendales that it was out of their hands and to speak to Rossendales about it.

At this point my partner arrived home and spoke to the woman. We had no letters from the council to say that the job centre had informed them and that another way of paying was needed. When my partner brought this up with the woman she said they dont send out letters like that as it costs too much!! My partner then phoned the bailiff on the number he had provided and explain the situation to him. He had arranged to come back to our house a few days later to arrange payments and to also check the house to see what goods we have. I was very weary of letting him in the house as I didnt want a complete stranger around my 2 year old. I have heard in the past of how nasty bailiffs can get. I spoke to my mum and she said under no circumstances to let him in. My partner text the bailiff and explained that because we hadn't received anything from the council we were seeking advice and not to come to the house. A few days later the bailiff turned up again and posted more letters through our door.

Is it really out of the council hands? Can they start taking the payments again or do we have to go through the bailiffs? Sorry if this seems a bit rambled,not too sure how to word it.

Thanks for reading.

fatbelly

AngeyC wrote: »

I spoke to my mum and she said under no circumstances to let him in. My partner text the bailiff and explained that because we hadn't received anything from the council we were seeking advice and not to come to the house. A few days later the bailiff turned up again and posted more letters through our door.

Is it really out of the council hands? Can they start taking the payments again or do we have to go through the bailiffs? Sorry if this seems a bit rambled,not too sure how to word it.

Thanks for reading.

Mum is correct. If they do not achieve 'peaceable entry' the costs they can add are those for two unsuccessful visits - £42.50 in total.

If they can get in (and unfortunately in this hot spell that includes through an unlocked door or window0 then they can 'levy' your goods and add a variety of charges - and also force entry on a subsequent visit to access their goods.

The council can take the account back.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/council-tax

4.5 Local Authorities should remain prepared to deal directly with individuals at any point. It is perfectly within their gift to call action back from the bailiffs at any time and where there is a case to do so they should consider such action.

As it was a joint account you are liable for this, even though payment may be being taken from the other party.

However, as long as you have the council reference you can probably start to make payment online.