Council tax and bailiffs trouble

nonails

Hi I've got a problem and I'm really really stressing so I'm hoping somebody can calm my nerves.

Basically to keep it very short -

-I had an accident and was unable to work for 5 months getting into debt on the way.
-I returned to work and began paying off debts as quick as I could manage
-One of my debts was council tax which was going up quicker than I could pay off.
-I contacted the council to discuss, hoping to come to an agreement of sorts.
-Completed incoming & outgoing funds form and wait for reply
-They send a demand back telling me to pay double the original monthly amount(they ignored my other debt outgoings in order to make me look able to pay them) or it will be passed up to debt recovery.
-I contact them and am pretty much told "tuff luck"
-I carry on paying as much as I can manage and start planning to move house to a cheaper more affordable place.
-Letter arrives telling me that the account has now been passed over to their own courts system.
-I phone them and am told that they cannot bring it back now and basically again it's "tuff luck"
-I was also told not to pay now because it wouldn't go towards knocking the bill down.
-I move out and provided them with forwarding address.
-Nothing heard
-Nearly 6 months later I recieve a letter from bailiffs informing me that they have been instructed to come and recover etc :eek:

Where do I stand? I'm currently looking for work after recently losing my job due to lack of work available to the company, does this help me in anyway with regard to setting up an affordable payment scheme? rather than having them come to my house and upset my children with the whole recovering system.
Is it fair how I have been treated over this?

Any help and information will be very much appreciated.

nonails

Herbie21 wrote: »

You need to WRITE to the bailiff co to advise them that you are aware of your right and that you will not allow a bailiff from their company to have peaceful entry into your home as to do so will incur you in fees and charges that you know that you would not be able to repay.

Make them aware that you are NOT refusing to pay but that you simply cannot afford to repay the debt in full.

You need to make a sensible proposal and one that ensures that the debt is paid in full within no more than 6-9 mnths.

Finally, if they agree to accept your repayment proposal, you MUST ensure that your payment is made to the company at LEAST 5 days BEFORE the agreed payment date. If your payment is just ONE day late you are likely to receive a Removal Notice with the additional "attending to remove" fees.

www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk

I've noticed on that site that a vunerable situations letter that may be quite useful but I can't see/download it without a password?? I can't see anywhere to register?? I can't find these letters elsewhere either

EDIT: just noticed it costs £5 to download, does anyone else have copies of this letter saved on their computer?

BAILIFFCHASER

nonails wrote: »

Hi I've got a problem and I'm really really stressing so I'm hoping somebody can calm my nerves.

Basically to keep it very short -

-I had an accident and was unable to work for 5 months getting into debt on the way.
-I returned to work and began paying off debts as quick as I could manage
-One of my debts was council tax which was going up quicker than I could pay off.
-I contacted the council to discuss, hoping to come to an agreement of sorts.
-Completed incoming & outgoing funds form and wait for reply
-They send a demand back telling me to pay double the original monthly amount(they ignored my other debt outgoings in order to make me look able to pay them) or it will be passed up to debt recovery.
-I contact them and am pretty much told "tuff luck"
-I carry on paying as much as I can manage and start planning to move house to a cheaper more affordable place.
-Letter arrives telling me that the account has now been passed over to their own courts system.
-I phone them and am told that they cannot bring it back now and basically again it's "tuff luck"
-I was also told not to pay now because it wouldn't go towards knocking the bill down.
-I move out and provided them with forwarding address.
-Nothing heard
-Nearly 6 months later I recieve a letter from bailiffs informing me that they have been instructed to come and recover etc :eek:

Where do I stand? I'm currently looking for work after recently losing my job due to lack of work available to the company, does this help me in anyway with regard to setting up an affordable payment scheme? rather than having them come to my house and upset my children with the whole recovering system.
Is it fair how I have been treated over this?

Any help and information will be very much appreciated.

Listen to what herbie 21 is saying as the advise is worth it weight in gold.

nonails

Should I also send the 'vunerable situations' letter to the council at the same time? as the advice site given suggests that they can bring it back to them in this case (V.S)

BAILIFFCHASER

nonails wrote: »

Should I also send the 'vunerable situations' letter to the council at the same time? as the advice site given suggests that they can bring it back to them in this case (V.S)

I would as then they have to think of a very good excuse !!!

Herbie21

No nails

There is indeed a downloadable letter on our website.

I will be posting it on here later this afternoon (I cant do it from my laptop) so that anyone can use it.

nonails

Thankyou very very much for that, I'll complete it straight away ready to send recorded delivery first thing monday morning. Fingers crossed ..x x..

nonails

Just as an extra question - at the minute there is no chance in the world that I can even make any form of payments until I begin working again at least. So am I best just requesting it be returned to the council to try and buy some more time?

BAILIFFCHASER

nonails wrote: »

Just as an extra question - at the minute there is no chance in the world that I can even make any form of payments until I begin working again at least. So am I best just requesting it be returned to the council to try and buy some more time?

Do you have proof of income support if so send this along with the letter and they will have to accept a maximum of £2.90 per week from you.

nonails

BAILIFFCHASER wrote: »

Do you have proof of income support if so send this along with the letter and they will have to accept a maximum of £2.90 per week from you.

I don't even get income support or job seekers, I was told when I applied that I would only recieve national insurance contributions so I didn't bother carrying on signing on just for that. The only Income I have at the minute is housing benefit.

Herbie21

I would suggest that you adapt the letter slightly to include the fact that you are not yet in possession of benefits but that you do get Housing Benefit.

One point that I would like to make however is that if you are receiving Housing Benefit you should be full entitled to Council Tax Relief. If this is awarded you are able to ask for your claim to be backdated to when your circumstances changed. The maximum time the claim can be backdated is 12 months.

If awarded, this would help you current situation considerably.