Council Tax Arrears and Baliffs

[ap088]

I live in Scotland and presently have the Sheriffs Officer knocking on my door regarding my council tax arrears.
So far he's been round three times, nothing happened the first time, the second he asked he could come in so we could come to an arrangement. I said it wasn't convienient to discuss it right now, so made arrangements with him to come back another day.

Then I started reading into it and realised my mistake in agreeing to this -doh! So when he did come round, the doors were locked and I didn't answer them - he actually sat outside the house in his small van for over half an hour!!!

I don't dispute the fact that I owe council tax and am more than willing to pay it at an amount I can afford, but on the letter that I have from Scott & Co it details not only 2005 and 2006, but allso a "pre 2005" figure which is not an inconsiderable amount to be owing.

My problem is this: I need to know what this "pre 2005" figure amounts to. Up until November 2004 I was a Nursing Student so not liable for council tax. I think that possibly the Council have got their figures wrong. How would I go about finding this out?

More importantly I need to stop the Sheriffs Officer coming round in the meantime - how would I go about doing this as well?

Oh and as my car is also worth over the £1000 (and I've got a bank loan out for it!) should I transfer details of ownership with the DVLA to my 19yr old daughter?

Thanks in advance for any help!

AP

[Screw The Bailiff]

Bearing in mkind the law is slightly different in Scotland.

Originally Posted by ap088

I live in Scotland and presently have the Sheriffs Officer knocking on my door regarding my council tax arrears.
So far he's been round three times, nothing happened the first time, the second he asked he could come in so we could come to an arrangement. I said it wasn't convienient to discuss it right now, so made arrangements with him to come back another day.

Bit of a mistake because he'll charge you another visit fee, then again bailiffs tend to charge the maximum in any event regardless of the number of times's he's called.

Originally Posted by ap088

Then I started reading into it and realised my mistake in agreeing to this -doh! So when he did come round, the doors were locked and I didn't answer them - he actually sat outside the house in his small van for over half an hour!!!

I don't dispute the fact that I owe council tax and am more than willing to pay it at an amount I can afford, but on the letter that I have from Scott & Co it details not only 2005 and 2006, but allso a "pre 2005" figure which is not an inconsiderable amount to be owing.

My problem is this: I need to know what this "pre 2005" figure amounts to. Up until November 2004 I was a Nursing Student so not liable for council tax. I think that possibly the Council have got their figures wrong. How would I go about finding this out?

You contact the council and tell them you were on a prescribed benefit and they must remove this. If the council behaves unreasonably then you can ask the SPSO to do it instead.

Originally Posted by ap088

More importantly I need to stop the Sheriffs Officer coming round in the meantime - how would I go about doing this as well?

Contact the council and make payment and get a receipt. NEVER open the door to a bailiff, Always speask through a window or letterbox. If the bailiff becomes threateneing then call police and show the officer the receipt confirming the debt is paid or a nullity.

Originally Posted by ap088

Oh and as my car is also worth over the £1000 (and I've got a bank loan out for it!) should I transfer details of ownership with the DVLA to my 19yr old daughter?

So long as the bailiff hasn't yet levied on it its yours to doispose as you wish.

Originally Posted by ap088

Thanks in advance for any help!

AP

Check the bailiffs credentials, report back if you find an irregularity, we'll advise further.

Write a letter based on this template and if the bailiff reapears then throw it to him through a window.

See if you have any grounds make a complaint against the bailiff and put him in front of his certificating judge - checklist. That might get him off your back.