Newlyns plc and council tax -came to an arrangement

Bluetonic123

Hi I haven’t posted for a long time but I thought I’d share this as I was in a situation that I was petrified about and I’d like to reassure anyone who is in the same situation and let them know it’s not as bad as it seems.

I got into council tax arrears and ended up receiving a letter from Newlyns plc bailiffs threatening to take my stuff and they had added a charge £24.50 to the bill . I googled them and found a lot of horrible stories about them adding huge charges and abusive men turning up at people’s doors and taking children's toys and garden furniture. I emailed them to ask about a payment arrangement but received no response. As I was waiting. Another letter arrived, slightly more threatening than the last with an additional £18 added.

I was so scared that bailiffs would turn up and really didn’t want to call them in case they demanded full payment. In desperation I called the council and asked to make an arrangement. I was given short shrift and told to arrange something with the bailiffs.

I realised that I’d rather just call and see where I stood than be frightened to go home in the evenings in case a bailiff came, but was prepared for a demand of full payment and rude staff. I was pleasantly surprised. The lady who answered the phone was polite and friendly and set up a payment plan over three months. I don’t know how it would have panned out if I had asked for longer but when I said I couldn't make all the first payment immediately she arranged for me to pay some now and I have to pay the rest by the end of the month when I am paid.

Although it will be struggle to pay the £300 odd a month I feel really relieved and I owe the money so I think it’s right that I pay it back. I just got into a bit of a pickle before and things escalated while I buried my head in the sand!

I could have saved myself £18 if I had called straight after the first letter, or all the fees if I had dared to speak to the council earlier but I am just glad it’s sorted now.

I just wanted to share this so people know it’s not too late to make an arrangement even if you have a bailiff’s letter and Newlyn PLC are actually OK on the phone.

Don’t get me wrong, I still think that given half a chance they would rob you blind and threaten and intimate you and they are scum and I am printing out all receipts etc. just in case but if anyone has had a letter I just want them to know that I was able to call and make an arrangement before huge fees were added on.

Bluetonic123

Also I am using a debit card linked to an account I no longer use and am depositing just the right amount of money to pay in there. Would never trust them with details for the account my wages are paid into!

sourcrates

That's good advice, folk get into arrears with CT for a number of reasons, but you should always try to include this within your essential expenses before paying personal credit debts, as we all know you can end up in prison for non payment of CT, but not for non payment of your creditcard, I feel I should make the point that no matter what a DCA threatens you with, they cant send you to prison.

Bluetonic123

Yeah - With council tax I would also warn people that it escalates very quickly compared to other debts. Not that I would advise anyone to ignore other things but it is something that HAS to be paid.

I won't be burying my head in the sand again.

fatbelly

Bear in mind that the £24.50 and £18 charges are the legitimate charges for a failed 1st and 2nd visit. If no levy was made on goods there can be no further charge.

That's why it's important not to allow them 'peaceable entry' and certainly not to sign anything.

If they haven't actually visited then not even these charges are due.

Bluetonic123

fatbelly wrote: »

If they haven't actually visited then not even these charges are due.

I thought this. The second letter had a stamp on so I am dubious as to whether or not they actually came to be honest. Why would you put a stamp on a letter if you were at the address anyway? For me personally it's not a battle worth fighting for £18 but I might just drop a letter to OFT just so they know.

National_Debtline

Bluetonic123 wrote: »

I thought this. The second letter had a stamp on so I am dubious as to whether or not they actually came to be honest. Why would you put a stamp on a letter if you were at the address anyway? For me personally it's not a battle worth fighting for £18 but I might just drop a letter to OFT just so they know.

Hi Bluetonic

Just for the record, this wouldn't really be one for OFT. If you wanted to query the bailiff's conduct or make a formal complaint, best to contact the council themselves and/or their trade body CIVEA http://www.civea.co.uk/

Regards

Dennis @NDL

Bluetonic123

Thanks Dennis. I've had a look and to be honest this seems like a lot of hassle to go down their formal complaint route for £18. But then I guess that's how they get away with charging when they don't visit!