Council Tax debt and bailiffs

[icole]

can anyone give me some advice.

I admit i am in alot of debt with my council tax for reasons i don't want to reveal.

I have been paying this debt of every month at £70 for the last year. Now yesterday i got a letter through my door from the bailiffs saying i owe such and such amount and that to phone them. I phone them as soon as i saw the letter and they want £300 within the next 7days and then £300 a month afterwards, i have gotten all this because i missed ONE payment last month which was an honest mistake because i get paid on the 31st of each month so my rent and council tax has to be paid that day otherwise i'm in a months debt even if i paid it the next day (apparently this i was told yesterday). Because where i work the companies have changed over lot of people didn't get paid that day including me we got paid a few days later and as soon as i did i paid the £70 but i didnt realise they would be taking it off this months payment and not last months which it was for, now i didn't realise this until i phone the council and they told me the information above.

Now i really think this action was very rash and unfair all i did was pay the £70 a few days late and i get the bailiffs turning up demaring money i haven't got.

I'm a single parent and only work part time i also have 3 teenage children so its hard enough already on my wages and after paying for food, rent, and other bills i do not have £300 to pay this in a week let alone again each month for god knows how long, even if i cut things out the big payment i can make a month is £100 but they will not accept it and want the full £300 otherwise they will be removing goods.

could anyone give me some advice as i really haven't a clue what to do now, this is an added stress i really could do without at the moment.

who where you paying this money to the council or a bailiff company?

My advise will depend upon the answer

[icole]

i was paying it to the council at the end of each month when i got paid.

[steelmouse]

I have had similar experiences with Ross & Roberts, referred from East Dorset District Council, I sent money and was one day late and yet again they charged £300, which is 3 times more than I owed, I had proof of postage which showed I had sent it in plenty of time but due to christmas post blah blah... I have also asked on countless occasions for standing order forms or direct debits as I don't have a cheque book and sending cash every month isn't the best option, I have since April had to pay an extra £800 in charges, and I have only been late twice and on both occasions we called to advise before because my work had paid me wrongly to an old bank account. What can we do to stop them charging these ridiculous figures and being threatening towards us, and also if anyone else is going through this then I understand the stress! Please help, the charges were more than the original debt!

[phil_charman]

So, bailiff's are involved yet you are paying the money direct to the council?

What about the bailiff charges, has a bailiff been to your property and levied distress? has he or she been inside your property and taken an inventory?

Answers to the above will determine any further course of action

[steelmouse]

Unfortunetely they have been into my house and taken an inventory, they caught me off guard and I didn't know what else to do!

[rachelm700]

Hi Steelmouse

I was recently in the same situation as you. Contact your local councill straight away, they are the only people who will help you at this stage.

Hope you get sorted out soon.

[tevion]

Originally Posted by icole

can anyone give me some advice.

I admit i am in alot of debt with my council tax for reasons i don't want to reveal.

I have been paying this debt of every month at £70 for the last year. Now yesterday i got a letter through my door from the bailiffs saying i owe such and such amount and that to phone them. I phone them as soon as i saw the letter and they want £300 within the next 7days and then £300 a month afterwards, i have gotten all this because i missed ONE payment last month which was an honest mistake because i get paid on the 31st of each month so my rent and council tax has to be paid that day otherwise i'm in a months debt even if i paid it the next day (apparently this i was told yesterday). Because where i work the companies have changed over lot of people didn't get paid that day including me we got paid a few days later and as soon as i did i paid the £70 but i didnt realise they would be taking it off this months payment and not last months which it was for, now i didn't realise this until i phone the council and they told me the information above.

Now i really think this action was very rash and unfair all i did was pay the £70 a few days late and i get the bailiffs turning up demaring money i haven't got.

I'm a single parent and only work part time i also have 3 teenage children so its hard enough already on my wages and after paying for food, rent, and other bills i do not have £300 to pay this in a week let alone again each month for god knows how long, even if i cut things out the big payment i can make a month is £100 but they will not accept it and want the full £300 otherwise they will be removing goods.

could anyone give me some advice as i really haven't a clue what to do
now, this is an added stress i really could do without at the moment.

dont worry it is unusual for councils to involve baliffs after one missed payment. anyway you do not have to pay the baliffs fees. dont let the baliffs into your home and dont pay them anything if they threaten you report them to the council the council employ these people and are liable for theirconduct. baliff charges are set by law 22.50 for first visit and 16.50 for second. they cant charge for sending out letters and they cant charge for visits after the second. let the baliffs no you are aware of the charges set by law and that you are going to report them to the council for over charging.