Collect services - Notice of enforcement - Council tax

dpallett88

Hi all I'm rather desperate looking for help.


Today I received two notices of enforcement, from Collect services, regarding council tax arrears.

They have slapped £75 "compliance stage fee" on each, and now want £445 by next Thursday or they are threatening us with Baliffs. This will then add £470 charges (2 x £235).

Not only would this be outrageous in normal circumstances, but to make it worse I was made redundant on the 18th of July, and my flatmate works a zero-hour contract.


There is no possible way I can afford to pay this and to make it worse, I won't even be in the country from Thursday until the following Saturday, giving me 2 days to sort this out.

They aren't picking up the phone, in total I've been on hold for 50 minutes. Usually I'll be on hold 10-15 minutes and the line will go dead, so I have to phone back and the process repeats.

I've emailed them, got an automated response basically saying they received the email, will respnd within 7 days but my account will obviously not be put on hold, so that's no help.

I'm really at a loss here and don't know what to do, if this isn't sorted by Wednesday evening, I'll end up with a £915 debt when I get back. Any advice would be great, many thanks.

CIS

Not only would this be outrageous in normal circumstances, but to make it worse I was made redundant on the 18th of July, and my flatmate works a zero-hour contract.

The fees for each stage of action are set in legislation.

dpallett88

CIS wrote: »

The fees for each stage of action are set in legislation.

Thanks for the reply.

I realise that it's not unlawful.

My concern was not being able to get in contact with the baliffs and leaving the country Thursday.

The council office said they cannot put the account on hold, though i then found this out to be complete crap. I phoned them again and they have emailed the bailiffs to advise I won't be back in the country until 11th August. I'm guessing it would be wise to go down there tomorrow and get this in writing?

Is there anything else I can do? I will be submitting a complaint to the ombudsman regarding the employees at the tax office lying to me aboutthe matter.

Many thanks,

Danny

National_Debtline

Hello Danny,

Here is a link to our Council Tax Recovery fact sheet. If you have a vehicle please do consider hiding it away from your property whilst you are overseas.

It may be possible to negotiate low, affordable instalments with both the council and the bailiff. Do bear in mind that if the bailiff cannot gain peaceful entry into the property, they will not be able to try and take control of your belongings. So long as you keep the property secure, the only option the bailiff would have is to consider your offer of payment. If they don't wish to accept your offer they will, at some point, pass the debt back to the council.

Best wishes,

David @ National Debtline.