Council Tax Bailiffs - HELP!

CIS

it was only due to one guy slipping up and telling me they had all ready sold the following months tax payment to him as well that I realised I was screwed!

Council tax isn't and can't be sold on - they can use a debt collector or bailiff to collect council tax arrears but it isn't sold on.

John1993_2

Mike_Kami wrote: »

I think they just want a fair shot at paying a "doable" amount each month not the jumped up amounts the bailiff wants to see a quick return.

Unfortunately some people, in the past, have been less than honest about what they can afford to pay, and have used delaying as merely a tactiic to keep spending money that they should not.

Unfortunately this means that the council is far less willing to accomodate genuine requests to pay over time than would otherwise be the case.

It's also the case that people (quite honestly) have a distorted view of what's "doable". I've known people with debt problems, for example, who've still smoked, or drank. Again, this sort of view makes the genuine cases suffer.

cottage_retreatist

Hi OP -
I had a very aggressive bailiff years ago - who also asked for an extra couple hundred of quid to settle a council tax debt - it was very scary so I can understand how you must be feeling - especially with little ones at home.

I know you need an urgent decision and the council say that they can't help but i decided to email someone high up in the council (i think i went for the managing partner for finance or something) and emailed them, told them i thought the tactics were unreasonable and undermining the good name of the council and why did I have to pay the bailiff directly as I did not feel this was good practice.

I also cc-ed in the debt collection agency, complaints department of the council and my local Councillor.

Within a day the man got back told me he was very sorry and arranged that I pay the DCA direct for the amount of the debt that I could manage.

Could this be something - and inform the bailiff by phone that you will not pay him while the council investigates the debt?

This could buy you a few more days and help you to find time to find the money to arrange a payment plan direct with the DCA (if this is possible).

Good luck - if you need any further info do PM me and I'll see if I have the original letter still

Take care,
C-R

edit - i have found a copy of the original letter should you need it for reference.

Mike_Kami

@John1993 I cant disagree there mate. In my case I had to come up with 700 in 4 weeks. I was self employed and basically run a small building business based on being able to work 12 hours a day or more but he wouldn't even accept that to pay him in 4 weeks id have to give him our rent and childcare money which would cripple us as I wouldn't be able to earn which he just smirked and insisted he had heard every excuse and didn't care. Hed even booked the truck to take our belongings by the second visit in which he dropped his bill off. Even though we could show him our over heads showing any money we have left over was literally for food.

@CIS, proves my point that its a co operative lie between two willing parties...even if it is mistake, but I bet they never had to starve them selves so their kids could eat?