Bailiffs/Council Tax

[helen7]

Hi first timer!!!

I had the baliffs visit me, and yes I let him in, he was so nice and wanted to help. I signed a form stating that it would give me a breather for 14 days to come up will a payment plan. We have come up with an agreed payment plan which is £60.00 week. This debt will finish Sept/Oct 07 (this is for my council tax 05/06).

Yet again I had a visit from the baliffs for my 06/07 council tax. I managed to pay half of this but the baliffs want another £60.00 week. I just cannot afford this as I wont be able to pay this coming years.

We are just about getting on our feet again since my husband was very ill Dec 04 and didnt return to work for a further 6 months. We had no money coming in, I couldnt claim anything from the goverment because we had savings, which I decleared at the time.

Can anybody help!!!! as the electrical/gas people will be knocking next.

Helen7

[davefirewalker]

Hi helen

Sorry to hear the position you're in........but with letting them in I dont think you stand a chance to negotiate a reasonable amount, but you could try

Sorry to be so negative....but once you let them in your scr***d.
It happened to me. They ask for unrealistic amounts that they know you cant afford. then they hassle you....for what, a few hundred pounds worth of possessions, that wont clear the debt.

you could try speaking to the council and explaining that if this continues you wont be able to pay this years tax either and see if they can come up with a solution.......But I doubt they will do anything.

I think you should definiteley speak to the CAB and maybe the bailiff company and explain you position.

Sorry i'm out of ideas

I hope that someone a little more knowledgeable can help. I suggest that you start reading up on every bailiff thread here pdq.


Dave

[davefirewalker]

just seen this in another bailiff thread...sounds interesting and worth a go

originally posted by MARTONMAN
...............

QUESTION the bailiff's fees and demands by writing a letter to them, including details of your current situation. Copy the letter to the council and tell the council that until the bailiff's demands and charges have been fully investigated you will be paying the council direct.

Send the bailiff's letter recorded delivery, and personally take the council letter down to the council if possible. Ask to speak to the Recoveries Officer or someone else high up. If possible send an email or letter to your local councillor asking for their help.

The letters should put the bailiff's recovery action on temporary hold.

Once you start paying the council, keep it up.

Because you have signed a walking possession the bailiff can I think, in theory, force entry. This is why the letter of complaint is very important and urgent.

However, even with a walking possession agreement, the bailiff really does not want to remove goods. They'll get practically nothing for them at auction (no offence there!) and it really is a bullying threat tactic to get you to pay for their extortionate fees. They'll be hoping that you will be ringing round friends and relations to borrow the money to pay them. Fact is, most of the money they want off you is their fees, which are probably fraudulent and against government regulations and guidelines.

From past experience they will send another couple of letters claiming to have called at your address with a van but were unable to gain entry. This gives them an excuse to add another few hundred quid to your account.

If one does call again, make sure you get his name, check his ID card and ask to see proof of his court certification. If he can't produce you are quite within your rights to send him packing off your property with his tail between his legs using, if necessary, 'reasonable force'.

In the very unlikely event that he does have all the correct credentials, state that his firm's and his behaviour are being investigated by both the council and the local county court and that until the investigation concludes you are paying your arrears directly to the council. Therefore any attempt by him to gain entry will result in you calling the police as well as 'your rather large friend from round the corner who works as a doorman at weekends'.

Get them stopped now. The sooner that councils are forced into stopping using these unregulated

...............

sounds like some good advice

As said before have a GOOD read of the various threads and posts you may find a way round this problem yet


Dave

[davefirewalker]

Hi again

the thread that quote came from was http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...-bailiffs.html

in the "sticky" at the top of the page...or just click on this link

loads of usefull info

dont despair, people here will help you

Dave