Council Tax Debt 07/02.Bailiff called, please help

vivadave

Hi Everyone, i'm not new to the debt world, and i'm sure people will remember me on here, this question relates to my wfe.

We have had a number of letters from Equita Bailiffs about a debt from 07/2002 for council tax over the last few months, we have offered weekly payments, they sent out a payment book etc, we failed to keep up on the payments because we have other more important payments to make, rent council tax, tv licence, the ones we class as priority.
On the 10th of June a bailiff called at our house demanding payment for the debt of £212.97, then adding another £147.50 named as bailiff costs(total £360.47), my wifes car was parked on the drive in which he took down the registation number and make and model, i know from experience they cant touch the car as it is on HP (2 years of payments left to pay), he said it doesnt matter if it is on HP they can take it anyway, or clamp it untill payment has been made, which i know this is untrue and would go down as taking without owners consent.
The bailiff said he would be back the next the day for payment but was on holiday for a month, and gave us till the 4th July to pay the full amount.

I'm just looking for best road to take, the debt would be over 6 years old this time next month, also the car cannot be touched, also we do not have this sort of money to pay them in one lump sum.

So i was thinking of writing them a letter, including a token first payment (cheque or postal order)also including a copy of the cars HP agreement, and see what they say, or maybe they will say they have to wait tilll the bailiff comes off holiday (which then would be too late), after dealing with bailiffs before, its the office that has the pull not the bailiffs, when it comes to decisions.
Phoning them isnt an option, anyone who has phoned them before will understand why.

Oh forgot to add, bailiff didnt enter our house, and my wife didnt sign anything, i know someone would have asked that lol.

Thanks for any advice offered.
Hope you can help out my poor lil wife.

Viva....:)

MrsTinks

first of all council tax does NOT become statute barred so the age of the debt is irrelevant. The bailiff charges however are something you might wanna look into. Best person to ask is Herbie21 - someone will be along in a sec no doubt with a link to her site for you
You need to set a payment plan and stick to it as council tax debts are one of the ones that are deemed "essential" whether it's recent or not.
You could also try contacting the council the debt was originally with and ask them to take back the debt and pay them directly. Sometimes they are easier to deal with than their bailiffs who are a law onto themselves given half a chance

Incisor

vivadave wrote: »

... We have had a number of letters from Equita Bailiffs about a debt from 07/2002 for council tax over the last few months, we have offered weekly payments, they sent out a payment book etc, we failed to keep up on the payments because we have other more important payments to make, rent council tax, tv licence, the ones we class as priority. ...

I know it ain't necessarily the done thing to be seen to disagree with the OP on any DFW thread. But.

Dave, is the TV licence really a priority? Like, when you set the priority it is usually based on how much NOT paying can threaten the way you live your life. If you find that you can put up with grief from bailiffs more easily than you can do without the TV, then who am I to suggest you have your priorities wrong? But then, if grief from bailiffs is less of a problem than not having a TV, is it a big enough deal for you to post about it here?

vivadave

Thanks for your reply MRS TINE, i will give it a bit longer and see what other replies i get tonight, but definatly food for thought there. thank you again.


Incisor, your reply must be the most unhelpful reply ever!!!!
TV licence is a priority debt, as none payment will lead to court and a fine, i know i was there earlier this year for missing a month!!!!
Plus you try and live in a house with 4 kids and no TV :rotfl:
How many people do you know who dont have a TV?

If you have nothing helpful to say then please dont bother replying!!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad:


Thanks again Mrs Tine.:beer:


Viva....

a11waysindebt

Mrs tine reply says it all really.

You can also click on the national debt link in her sig for more info.

Just a quick question was this bailiff from your area.

vivadave

On the letter its says middlesbourgh, about 15 miles away, hope that helps.


Viva....:)

needaspirin

Equita is charging an incorrect fee. They have a habit of overcharging and this should be challenged.

Bailiff Charges in England:
In council tax arrears cases, for each liability order where no levy is made, £24.50 for the first or only visit, and £18.00 for a second visit, can be charged. No charge can be made for subsequent visits. If the bailiffs visit only once, but in respect of two separate liability orders, they may make two sets of charges.

Your strategy with dealing with debts is flawed. I suggest you visit your local CAB taking all relevant letters and proof of income. CAB will help you with a financial statement and offers to creditors. They will also negotiate with Equita and challenge the charges.

Do not allow the bailiff in. Do not leave doors or windows open.

Cleosmum

I was led to believe that rent/mortgage and council tax were priority debts, all others are non priority.

I would approach the council that the money was owed to. With council tax and bailiffs they never fully hand it over to the bailiffs, they just get them to act on their behalf, so the council tax dept should be able to sort this out whilst the bailiff is away.

needaspirin

Approaching the council is usually a waste of time. That is why they employ Bailiffs.

The council will normally take back the debt only if the debtor is on benefits and is suffering hardship. The Bailiff will hand back the debt if he considers it uncollectable.

SPANIEL36

vivadave wrote: »

Thanks for your reply MRS TINE, i will give it a bit longer and see what other replies i get tonight, but definatly food for thought there. thank you again.


Incisor, your reply must be the most unhelpful reply ever!!!!
TV licence is a priority debt, as none payment will lead to court and a fine, i know i was there earlier this year for missing a month!!!!
Plus you try and live in a house with 4 kids and no TV :rotfl:
How many people do you know who dont have a TV?

If you have nothing helpful to say then please dont bother replying!!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad:


Thanks again Mrs Tine.:beer:


Viva....

i actually do know someone without a tv and they have kids they just choose not to have one

Cleosmum

Well, I have CT debts and the bailiff came round, which I ignored and got onto the council tax dept. They explained that the debt is handled by them when people dont pay, but never gets transferred over to the bailiff fully. I was able to set up a payment arrangement, which I currently overpay and everything is fine. I am not on benefits, and not particularly suffering hardship (self inflicted as I want to be debt free lol). I did have to really show that I was commited to paying it off and it was made clear that if I miss a payment then it will be dealt with by the bailiff and there would be no further payment arrangements put in place.

I think I was lucky with the bailiff, very nice chap, just knocked on the door and said it all needed sorting out