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

Incisor

vivadave wrote: »

... 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?

I don't know any Victorians personally, but I do know of them. Often they had 10 kids in a family and it is scientifically proven that none of them, not even Queen Victoria herself, had a TV. For that matter the Incisor household does nicely without one and so far we are not being fined for not having a licence. So there are 2 things to take pressure off you - no TV licence and sell the thing on ebay.

If it is not helpful to you, then that is more a reflection of how you order your priorities. I'm not saying you have your priorities wrong, but the advice might be more helpful to others who would placate the bailiffs before placating the kids.

needaspirin

Cleosmum wrote: »

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

I think that you were lucky indeed! Both with your Council and Bailiff. I can assure you that this would not happen in the area that the OP is from.

Redcar and Cleveland Council now instructs the Bailiffs to break in. Middlesbrough Council will not allow this but expects Equita to vigorously pursue the debt.

a11waysindebt

needaspirin wrote: »

I think that you were lucky indeed! Both with your Council and Bailiff. I can assure you that this would not happen in the area that the OP is from.

Redcar and Cleveland Council now instructs the Bailiffs to break in. Middlesbrough Council will not allow this but expects Equita to vigorously pursue the debt.

Redcar and Cleveland Council now instructs the Bailiffs to break in.

Have you any info on this please.

Thanks

vivadave

Bump...........

gilligansyle

a11waysindebt wrote: »

Redcar and Cleveland Council now instructs the Bailiffs to break in.

Have you any info on this please.

Thanks

I thought bailiffs were only allowed 'peaceful entry' ie. if you had let them in. They are allowed to get in through an open window or door but not allowed to force entry. National Debtline has a really useful leaflet on this.

needaspirin

Council tax/community charge

If the bailiff has already been entered the property he can return later and break in. That is why it is important initially not to allow him in or leave doors or windows open. In practice, it is unusual for the bailiff to break in even when allowed.

Bailiff powers of entry

Powers of entry are subject to case law. Only peaceable entry is allowed. Bailiffs cannot force entry, unless the bailiff has already gained peaceful entry and validly levied distress and the debtor is deliberately trying to stop the bailiff from re-entering.

If the bailiffs cannot gain entry or levy enough goods

The local authority may apply for a warrant to commit the debtor to prison. The warrant cannot be issued, or imprisonment imposed, if failure to pay is not due to wilful refusal or culpable neglect.