JBW Baillifs

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Hello

We have had a terrible past few days with JBW baillifs who have been chasing my daughter for council tax debt. She is homeless and without a job now after a terrible breakup and we originally spoke to the council and put our address as a care of address. Today we had a knock at the door at 6:15am to say that we owe the debt as my daughter lives here, we then said that she doesnt and he went away.

Today i have been offering him £100 a week off the debt and he has refused each time, hung up on me numerous times and been very very rude to me. We are at the end of our tether and don't know what to do as he says the next step is jail for her.

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  • sourcrates
    sourcrates Posts: 28,888 Ambassador
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    edited 20 June 2018 at 9:28PM
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    No she will not go to jail, thats just bayliffs twaddle, pay no attention to what these people say, all they are after is full payment.

    Youve seen the programs, they do and say anything in order to get paid in full.

    Block his number on your phone, have no further contact with them.

    Speaking to these bayliffs is rarely productive, best to remove them from the equation by dealing directly with the council, tell them she is vulnerable and to call off the bailiffs, ask them to take back the debt, and then arrange a payment plan with them, and stick to it.

    Do not allow the bayliffs entry to your home, they cannot break in, but can enter through an unlocked door, get in touch with the council ASAP about this.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    betsean wrote: »
    Hello

    We have had a terrible past few days with JBW baillifs who have been chasing my daughter for council tax debt. She is homeless and without a job now after a terrible breakup and we originally spoke to the council and put our address as a care of address. Today we had a knock at the door at 6:15am to say that we owe the debt as my daughter lives here, we then said that she doesnt and he went away.

    Today i have been offering him £100 a week off the debt and he has refused each time, hung up on me numerous times and been very very rude to me. We are at the end of our tether and don't know what to do as he says the next step is jail for her.

    How much is outstanding ?

    Jail is an option however it would require the council to apply to the court for a committal hearing. The court would then have to find wilful refusal or culpable neglect and then decide to a jail a person. It's not a quick or guaranteed process for the council.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • betsean
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    Hello


    It is £831 which we have offered to repay at £100 per week.
  • sourcrates
    sourcrates Posts: 28,888 Ambassador
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    betsean wrote: »
    Hello


    It is £831 which we have offered to repay at £100 per week.

    That is more than reasonable, but as said above, the bayliffs won’t think so.

    CIS is the expert in these matters, you should take his advice.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    With £100 per week offered on an arrangement under these situations there was not one of the bailiffs I used to work with who wouldn't have accepted it - if they had declined it and the council were made aware we'd have just instructed the bailiff to accept it. Most arrangements that were made were close to £30-£40 per week than £100, that is far higher than most offered.

    I would contact the council, explain the situation and ask that - if they won't withdraw it - that they instruct the bailiffs to accept £100 per week as payment.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
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