relentlessly pursued for a debt I don't owe!

Benefits_Blagger

this is the third time I have had it since I have moved, that i have been threatened with allsorts since i moved for a debt I dont owe.

first two I managed to sort out quite easily by telling them I dont owe a penny and wasn't going to pay a penny, both gave up in the end.

however the third is turning into a nightmare! the third one is from the council which is claiming i owe 4 weeks rent which i dont!

heres the story

in 2006 after a long running campaign of harrassment from my neighbours which cuminated in an arson attack on my property i decided to move as i was not willing to risk my life to stay there anymore.

I went to the council and gave them the 4 weeks notice as required, and gave them a forwarding address for me, it was a "care of address" using my mums address.

however since then, they have claimed i neither gave them 4 weeks notice and i done a "flit". which is riduculous as rent was paid upto date and if i was doing a flit i would hardly give them my new contact details!

in the two years since then the council has pursued me, saying that as i didn't give them 4 weeks rent, i owe this 4 weeks rent. ive pointed out to the council that i have the receipt proving i gave 4 weeks notice but they have told me "it doesnt matter as our systems show that you owe 4 weeks rent"

i requested a copy of my rent statement which showed my rent was upto date when i left the property, and the statement has been doctored by a biro pen with the words "manual adjustment-£248" and the total box has been crossed out and a new total inserted, also by a biro.

the situation now, is the debt has been passed to debt collection agency who are threatening my mum with the bailiffs if i don't pay. i have informed the debt collection agency i dont live with my mum, never have done and gave them the my new address. however they are still threatening my mums address.

the whole situaion is riduculous, i dont owe the money, i can prove it very very easily, however they wont accept the proof and keep threatening court and bailiffs.

what can i do ? if it goes to court, can i turn up and defend myself ? can i seek legal advice for the clear harassment and possible fraud (i.e. i have yet to see an official document from the council which shows the money i owe on an undoctored bill, but i have several which are undoctored which does not show me owing the money they claim)

Poosmate

Hmmm... sounds a bit dodgy doesn't it?

Have you tried the Citizens Advice Beaurea? Otherwise a lot of Solicitors will give a free half hour consultation so you could give that a try.

Other than that I can't advise as I don't know much about bailiffs actions.

You may have to wait till the "experts" come on some time tomorrow.

Good luck anyway

Poo

chappers

Do you have documentary evidence from your side showing you paid all the rent? eg bank stement sor reciepts for rent paid, if so i would write to them enclosing copies.

If they take you to court then yes you will be able to attend and put your case.
they cannot instruct the bailiffs without a court order and also they can't take stuff from your mums house anyway.it would be illegal to take things which did not belong to you.

tealady

Hi I would also contact your Councillor(s) and ask them to get involved, they usually have surgeries where you can just go and speak to someone.