Bailiff trouble

always_gotta_headache

Hi

My friend owes £1200 council tax arrears and a Bailiff came round, she did not let them in and has rang the council to arrange repayment. On the bailff paper it says there is a distraint fee for £59, is this a legal charge?

always_gotta_headache

does anyone know what the charges are that they are allowed to charge?

fermi

There is a table of the maximum fees they can charge in the very good factsheet from National Debtline.

Link: Factsheet | Bailiffs & Council Tax

always_gotta_headache

thank you, I cannot find a distraint fee listed so I take it this does not need to be paid?

RAS

Hi two web-sites that might help

Herbie 21

The bailiff by law can charge just £24.50 for a first visit and £18.00 for a second visit.

There is further advise on here:

www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk



and from SC

Some of the info here might be useful to you.

Hope you get sorted x

http://www.tipsandwrinkles.com/?p=25

always_gotta_headache

Also there are 2 cases for 2 different years and both have had fees added can they charge for 2 lots as there are 2 debts as they have only made one visit., thanks

RAS

Hi

Can you pm Herbie21 as she is a real whizz on this stuff. She will be fine about it. Have seen her posting here at 1am in the morning.

It would help if you friend could contact the bailiff line by phone. Also, if your friend has any disability, ill-health or recent bereavement, Herbie needs to know.

fermi

Click on this button to send Herbie a PM. -->

chappers

Don't know where the £59 comes from because as herbie says they can only charge £24.50 for a first visit and £18 for a second.If you don't let them in they can make no further charges.
If you send them a soa which shows you cannot pay the debt or make payments that they are happy with then they will send the debt back to the council and you will be able to negotiate with the council again. They will probbaly eventually do this if you write to them refusing to pay them or if you just ignore them.
But also be aware that the council can then use other methods to claim the debt, such as attacment of earnings, bankruptcy or even commital to prison.
Do as Herbie says do not leave your car on the drive or even immediately out side your house and whatever you do do not let them in or leave your windows or doors open whilst you are out.Once they have gained peaceable entry they can come back and force entry.

Herbie21

If a Bailiff were visiting your home to pursue an unpaid parking ticket he will know in advance the registration number of your car. With the collection of council tax he will have no idea so try to ensure that the car is parked away from the home. With the credit situation as it is, our office are seeing more and more cars being removed by bailiffs.

A final point. BEFORE a bailiff visit you are legally entitled to transfer or sell any assets (including a car). You will need to complete a very simple Statutory Declaration. Please pm me for more info.

https://www.bailiffadviceonine.co.uk

Dinah93

You say there are two cases ongoing, so maybe the £59 is two first time visit fees?