Council Tax Arrears and Ballifs

didi_nodebt

So I decided to take the morning off to receive a parcel, the door bell rang and thinking it was parcel force I went down to collect my parcel and no parcel but I got the balliffs instead. Barnet council had passed over my details due to the fact that I had missed payments last year on the council tax...

Now I know I had missed payments but I had spoken to Barnet council and they had informed me that the last few payments can be added on to this years council tax.

Question is the baliffs want the money by this evening or tommorow morning and theres no way I can raise 717.98 before this evening or tommorow morn.
I have said this to them and they said tough..I spoke to Barnet Council and they have said the figure is incorrect and I should tell the baliffs, I have spoken to the balliffs and they say thats what Barnet have requested including fees..Barnet have said I should only pay 450.00 including fees but the baliffs have said that I have to pay 717, everyone is sending me round in circles...and I am going spare....

Pllease help how do I get the baliffs to back off for a couple of days at least, it will take me at least 3 -4 days to try and raise 717 if that is what I have to pay.....what can I do ...many thx

**Amy**

Hi

Sorry you are having problems. I would ask the council to call the baliffs or baliffs to call the council and explain to council/baliffs that you are getting differing versions and you need them to explain to you exactly what is going on.

xx

didi_nodebt

Thanks Amy, Barnet dont want to call the Baliffs and baliffs just keep saying you have to pay...hence i feel like I am going round in circles...but am back on the phone with Barnet at the moment trying to get them to talk to the baliffs...:o

**Amy**

Oh what stupid people.

Sorry i cant be of any more help.

Keep us informed.

x

adecor

Know this might sound stupid, but have you checked on Barnet's web-site to see what their procedures are? I always thought they had to issue reminders & court summons before bailiffs were involved.

didi_nodebt

No I had an arrangement with them last year to reduce and spread the amount and once you do they can refer the case to straight to the ballisffs skipping the court procedure.

chez000

Did the local authority obtain a liability order?
If they didnt then the bailiffs are just acting as collectors and as such are rather toothless

the liability order needs to be obtained for the debt to be enforcable via bailiffs etc

didi_nodebt

Oh gosh whats a liability order and how do I find out if they have got one..

rog2

Did you recieve any notice that the bailiffs were coming?

Have they given you a breakdown of their costs?

Do NOT let them enter your house.

There was another, very similar, thread to yours the other week, and it raised the same issues. I will try and find it, and post a link.

There was some excellent advice fron Herbie21, that sounds as though it would be applicable to you.

In the meantime, have a look at the following links:

http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/debt_basics/bailiff-guide.htm

and 'Herbie's own site:

http://www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk

rog2

rog2 wrote: »

There was another, very similar, thread to yours the other week, and it raised the same issues. I will try and find it, and post a link.

This is the thread I was thinking of and it may help you:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=879915

All the best.

didi_nodebt

Hi thanks for the information got it sorted, basically spoke to my Local MP and told him what had happened and that Barnet and baliffs where sending me round in circles.....So MP called up Barnet and sorted it out...Baliffls off my back and only have to pay half the amount and have to do it on Friday which is fine....thanks for all your help....

2nd time my MP soted out a problem for me...