Advice needed...

Wrabbit14

Hello - I'm new here, so I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place.

So I have neglected to sort out my council tax (my own fault 100%) and due to my anxiety, it has gone to Rosendales (I have a really bad issue with speaking to people on the phone). A bailiff attended my property when i was away with work on the 25th august, he left a letter stating he will return on the 30th and a number to CONTACT him on (not call but it actually says contact). So I sent him a text message stating why I couldn't phone him and to set up a repayment plan, I didn't get a reply - Double checked the number which was printed on the letter, not written.

He didn't turn up on the 30th at all, not call or text back.

He then visited the property again on Wed 14/8 with a "Final notice - do not ignore, will return unannounced with a locksmith" again, I texted him asking him if he had received my previous text. and again - no reply.

Where do I stand here, just like anyone else, I would like to keep my possessions, and i have reached out to them with a re-payment option...

Thank you for your help.

DPDRC90

Not my area of expertise at all, however, first thing that came to my mind was to ask a relative/friend to call the number on your behalf and see if you can resolve it that way.

I think this is a time in your life where you really need to overcome your phone phobia and get this sorted.

National_Debtline

Hi Wrabbit14,


The golden rule is do not let the bailiffs in. As long as they haven't been inside before (which it doesn't seem as though they have) they can only come in if you let them or if they find open or unlocked access. They cannot force entry if they haven't been inside before, the letter is designed to frighten people. Also make sure, anything valuable outside, is hidden from the bailiffs.


No need to call or text the bailiffs, the best thing to do is write or email them, with a SOA and make them an offer to repay. If this is rejected then save the money until you have enough to pay the debt and the fees in full or try and pay instalments online. We have a factsheet that may help you,


https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/council-tax-recovery/counciltaxdebt.aspx


Laura
@natdebtline

Wrabbit14

Thank you.

so they cannot enter my property? if not, why would they state they can?

Also. whats a SOA?

thanks

National_Debtline

Hi Wrabbit

Wrabbit14 wrote: »

Thank you.

so they cannot enter my property? if not, why would they state they can?

It is in the bailiff's interest for you to think he can/will force entry, that way you are more likely to panic and beg/steal/borrow the money required to get rid of him. Saying he will turn up with a locksmith is not the same as saying he will break in - there is a subtle difference.

Wrabbit14 wrote: »

Also. whats a SOA?

Statement of Affairs aka a personal budget - http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php . It is easy to paste into this forum discussion if you would like some feedback on your figures.


Dennis
@natdebtline

Wrabbit14

So what would you advise i do? Can he return with a locksmith. I can afford, what i would think, is reasonable re-payments - but not the full amount.

sourcrates

Wrabbit14 wrote: »

So what would you advise i do? Can he return with a locksmith. I can afford, what i would think, is reasonable re-payments - but not the full amount.

He says he`ll "turn up with a locksmith", he dosent say he will change the locks or break in, because he is not allowed to do that.

Like ND said, a subtle difference to comply with the law, you assume because he may bring a locksmith, they will break in, they wont, you can have them arrested if they do because its called breaking and entering.

Make your payment offer in writing and just pay it, don`t seek there approval.

Wrabbit14

So basically - he can attend my property with a locksmith. but that is literal. he, nor the smith can open or enter the property?

National_Debtline

Hi Wrabbit


He can not force entry, full stop. It does not matter whether he turns up with a locksmith, a police officer or the SAS for that matter. It is utterly irrelevant.


You would do well not to get drawn into what the bailiff says, and instead as Sourcrates suggests, just crack on with making whatever payments you can afford. The bailiff will soon move on to the next name on his list once he has run through his standard set of scare tactics with you.


Dennis
@natdebtline

sourcrates

National_Debtline wrote: »

Hi Wrabbit


He can not force entry, full stop. It does not matter whether he turns up with a locksmith, a police officer or the SAS for that matter. It is utterly irrelevant.

Dennis
@natdebtline

Ha ha Dennis that made me chuckle !!!!!!

Muttipops

And keep your doors locked at all times!