I honestly can't thank you people enough innocenti, sherlock, lookinforinfo, louise35, number6 and peanuts, what a relief to be able to hear advice about this. I owe about £500 and I think I can afford to pay that off over 3 months, if I send the council cheques for say £170 a month will that get me off the hook? What about when the bailiff calls back because he said on his letter that I already owe them £50 in charges just for them calling out and that will be the same amount again if they have to call out a second time?

Hi, as far as I know it hasn't gone to court, it's only recent that the Bailiff called and it was his first visit. The Council say I can't pay by instalments anymore and I have to sort it out with the bailiff. The bailiff says I can't pay them by instalments unless I allow them to come into my house, something it looks as if i'm going to have to let them do. Is that wise though?

I fell behind with my council tax payments and had a bailiff knocking on the door. He said if I didn't let him in, I'd have to pay the full balance (about £500) in one go and would not be allowed to pay by instalments. I didn't let him in. I then contacted the Council Tax people and offered to pay them by Direct Debit - I can afford to pay that way again but they said 'It's in the hands of the Bailiffs you have to go through them now'. I can't afford to pay off the entire bill in one fell swoop but I can in instalments. Is my only option to allow them to come into my house? Any advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks for reading. Lil.