tv licence fine and bailiffs

girlycara

long story but basically I had a letter hand delivered from a bailiff saying I had to pay £703 or they would come back to seize goods etc.

I phoned the bailiff and he agreed to not visit until 31st so long as I paid in full on that day (payday!). I spoke to the court to see if I could pay them directly (hoping to avoid bailiff fees) but they said I cant. surley if its them I owe money to, they cant decline an offer of payment?

I don't know what the bill of £703 is made up of, im sure the fine was no more than £400 when I got it. although I physically can pay this bill it will cripple me for the month, so I am desperate for any way I can to reduce it. bailiff will not negotiate a payment plan, says 31st pay it all or they come for goods, if not enough money in the goods they will arrest me.

im not worried because I know I physically can pay, but am worried as I don't know what I will do for food etc the rest of the month! anyone got any advice?

HappyMJ

If you can't pay, don't have an income at all and don't come to some arrangement to pay something then it's very likely you could be arrested. You'll usually be bailed straight away without leaving your house. Then you appear before the court to explain yourself. Offer something...anything...even £5 a week. You will then avoid a prison sentence. If you choose not to pay they can imprison you. The fine will then be written off and you'll also get some food for a few weeks.

Do not give the bailiff your money that has been set aside for essential bills such as child support, food, electricity, rent and council tax. A roof over your head and food is more important than court fines....but the amount you set aside has to be reasonable. You can't say you spend £100 a week on food for one. You cannot prioritize unsecured debt repayments over court fines so let them go unpaid instead of the court fine.

Do you have any goods? It would be cheaper for you to sell them before the bailiff arrives. You would get more for them. If you have a car they can take that to settle the fine so consider selling that before it gets that far and use that to pay the fine.

If you have a credit card the court expects you to use it to pay the court fine and then sort out repayments with the credit card company yourself.

girlycara

thanks, no credit card so no chance of that. my personal posessions that are saleable wouldn't touch the debt really I wouldn't think. there is no way I can be arrested, I just want to pay it and move on, I just resent paying the bailiffs fees which will be in the hundreds when they haven't done anything other than put a letter through my door

HappyMJ

girlycara wrote: »

thanks, no credit card so no chance of that. my personal posessions that are saleable wouldn't touch the debt really I wouldn't think. there is no way I can be arrested, I just want to pay it and move on, I just resent paying the bailiffs fees which will be in the hundreds when they haven't done anything other than put a letter through my door

Then let yourself be arrested, go to the court and you won't have to pay the bailiff fees. They don't put you in cuffs and the arrest does not appear on your police record as it's done by a court bailiff. You will be bailed immediately.

girlycara

not happening, I cant be in that position I just cant, ill pay it and go wwithout for the month just really wish I could do something about the fees

anarki

I'm sorry I can't offer any advice but I wish you the best of luck. I hope it all pans out for you in your favour.

My opinions on the TV licence are probably best kept to myself rather than on this forum. So I'll just say good luck again.

James_B.

If you can't afford a television license, then getting rid of the television is probably not a bad idea.

What are you posting from, can you sell it to raise the money? Can you sell anything else?

It's also the time of year that Christmas seasonal work starts becoming available, so a second job might ease the strain.

girlycara

I never said I couldn't afford a TV licence, did I?

And yes a seasonal job would come up but as I already work 50 hours a week I think I'll pass

jaydeeuk1

How did you get caught in the first place? The sooner the govt agrees to it no longer being a criminal offence the better.

poppasmurf_bewdley

I don't agree with failing to buy a TV licence being a criminal offense, but it is. Hopefully, that will change in the future.

You can't pay the court directly once it's been sent to the bailiff. You had your chance to pay the court directly when you were fined, but you evidently chose not to so it's too late now. You'll know better in the future.

You will have to pay the £703. Better to face up to it now rather than have it hovering around or lose your belongings.

And remember that a £146 licence fee is a lot cheaper than £703, especially considering that having paid the £703 you still have to pay the £146 licence fee as well.