Partly due to ill health initially I have a series of unpaid council tax demands which are in the hands of a company that uses bailiffs. I am now well and I have family help to get back on my feet, The bailiffs have never been allowed into my property and I have not allowed myself to be intimidated by them by false verbal or written threats. They have NEVER been allowed access! As this is not my own money I would appreciate some help and guidance so that I get this right. We consider the bailiffs to be unscrupulous people who use deceptive tactics that prey on the ignorant, vulnerable and less able in society and as a result have no desire to reward them for their bullying. My intention is to pay the council directly. I haven't calculated the exact amount but it is several thousand pounds. I have no faith or trust in the scoundrels who have harassed me and all I can currently put my hands on in documentation is a series of letters sent in one envelope all with the same vain threats and differing amounts of money. I need to verify the details. I would appreciate guidance and confirmation of the sense of my plan of action. Firstly I would contact the council expressing my wish to deal with the debt, without at this stage offering to pay it all. I would ask what I owe and for details of the debts, dates etc. I can't be explicit about paying it all because until I am given the money I don't have it and I don't want to give the impression that I have spare money when I do not. I would then just pay the money. I would appreciate guidance on how this should be done. Could the payment come from my benefactor's account, as a cheque for example? Are there any fees to the bailiff company that are unavoidable? Can I avoid rewarding them directly by just paying the council?