Rossendales council tax help!

Jennalex

I really need some urgent advice. I have been struggling with my council tax payments since my council tax support was withdrawn and received a court order. I had a letter from rossendales but was then informed by the council that I was actually entitled to council tax support after all. They advised me that they would put the account on hold while a new claim was processed. Today an enforcement officer has been and added £340 to the bill in fees. I've called the council and although my account is still currently on hold and I will be entitled, they no longer back date claims and cannot stop rossendales - even though I should not have owed the bill. I have called rossendales who also said they cannot do anything as they have now passed it to the enforcement agent, they won't even set up a payment arrangement which I will pay to get the bailiff off my back even though I don't owe the money. I have tried a debt helpline but they can't help as I don't have any other debt! I called the mobile number for the bailiff and he wants £770 in full or he will remove goods. I am a single mum, working 30 hours and paying childcare - I am frightened he will take my car as it is the only asset I have, I need it to get to work and school. What can I do??

sourcrates

Hi, ok best advice is to completely ignore the bayliffs for the time being.
Do not give them access to your property.

Eventually, when the council get there act together, rossendales will pass your account back to them, and you will hopefully, be able to sort this out.

Park your car away from your property, somewhere safe, for now.

CIS

You would need to appeal to the council for re-instatment of the Council Tax Support - why did they stop it ?

dancingfairy

See who your local councillor is and go and see them. They should have power with the council and should be able to sort this shambles the council appear to have created.
Df

dancingfairy

You need to.move your car as far away as you can until this is sorted. Can you park it several streets away?
Df

fatbelly

As DF says, in addition to the above, write to your local councillor and ask for their help

https://www.writetothem.com/

Herbie21

Jennalex wrote: »

I really need some urgent advice. I have been struggling with my council tax payments since my council tax support was withdrawn and received a court order. I had a letter from rossendales but was then informed by the council that I was actually entitled to council tax support after all. They advised me that they would put the account on hold while a new claim was processed.

Today an enforcement officer has been and added £340 to the bill in fees. I've called the council and although my account is still currently on hold and I will be entitled, they no longer back date claims and cannot stop rossendales - even though I should not have owed the bill.

I have called rossendales who also said they cannot do anything as they have now passed it to the enforcement agent, they won't even set up a payment arrangement which I will pay to get the bailiff off my back even though I don't owe the money. I have tried a debt helpline but they can't help as I don't have any other debt! I called the mobile number for the bailiff and he wants £770 in full or he will remove goods.

I am a single mum, working 30 hours and paying childcare - I am frightened he will take my car as it is the only asset I have, I need it to get to work and school. What can I do??

You need to take the good advice from others on here and contact the council regarding their decision not to back date your claim.

With regards to the bailiff, the only worthwhile asset is your car (depending of course on its value) so while the account is with an enforcement agent, the vehicle is at serious risk of being taken.

Unfortunately, when an account has got to the very late stage of a personal visit, it is much more difficult to get a payment arrangement set up. All companies must consider a payment arrangement during what is called the 'Compliance Stage'. This is the period outlined in the Notice of Enforcement from Rossendales (usually 7 clear days from the date of the notice). A Compliance Fee of £75 would have been added to the debt at that time.

Rossendales would very likely retain the account for approx 3-4 months and during that time, visits can be made. However, the enforcement agent cannot charge any further fees.

You need to write to Rossendales to outline your circumstances and explain to them that you want to set up a payment arrangement.

How much roughly is your car worth?

Do you park the car on your driveway or on the road?