What to do about excessive Bailiff fees?

Neo1 · 1st May 2008, 01:19

Hi I need some advice. It all started last July when I received a parking ticket for being parked in a residence bay without displaying any form of permit/ ticket. I appealed against the ticket as I honestly did not see any visible signs stating these parking restrictions and to top it all when I actually searched for the signs they were about 150 yards away and partially obscured by hedge over growth. My appealed failed and as I failed to lodge my representation within the statutory time limits I now owed London borough of Barnet £120. I failed to pay this and as a result it increased to £150.

In February this year I received a letter from Equita Certificated Bailiffs requesting payment of £223.39. I called them and agreed to pay £100 now and the balance by 14th March 2008. I travel quite a bit and totally forgot. On 18 April I received another Equita letter dated 16 April (Removal Notice) asking for the balance. I called on the 21st to pay the balance but was told that the cost was now £475.89. I wanted to know why the additional £352.50 as the balance was £123.39 as stated in the letter which I received. The person on the other end of the line was not interested in what was in the letter all he knew was that I had to pay £475.89. How do you reason with people that are unreasonable? At that point I dropped the phone.
I have since received 3 letters- Warrant of Execution (dated 21 April), Removal Notice letter (dated 23 April) and Bailiff Removal letter (hand delivered, dated 28 April). I have been advised by friends not to park my car outside my home. My wife who is 8 months pregnant is at home all day with our 14 month old son and is petrified and very worried with all these bailiffs’ threatening letters and visits.

I was prepared to pay the balance owed but it seems that they smelt blood and wanted more. Any advice on course of action to take would be most welcome.

rory32 · 1st May 2008, 04:12

I think you are more likely to get a response to your post in the Bailiffs Forum so have moved your thread to there.

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