Another fair comment, yes to free advice and I will keep it on here, however I make no apologies if people do not like my comments or responses so don't go bleating to administrators just because you may not like it, thanks for the advice about PM which I will now avoid.

Point taken however I am not touting a counselling service I was just trying to preserve some confidential details and assist some people in resolving issues.

Michael I am obliged for your partial vote of confidence My only reason for dealing with issues by PM is that of confidentiality in that there is likely to be some information of a personal nature involved. You should note that where I have vehemently disagreed I have provided evidence, VAT on Bailiff fees etc, so my responses are not without some foundation. It is not being "big headed" as suggested, there are just too many people on here giving the wrong information which has got to be a bad thing

Chris600uk You will only find this satement offensive if it is true and the fact you state it is incorrect is errenoues, read my responses carefully and you will find that I do actually know what I am talking about. This site is about telling people the truth and not what "you think they want to hear" As for the angry bit I am not sure where you are coming from, it annoys me that so many people can say what they like and pass it off as the "gospel truth" to be blindly followed by the innocent without providing any sound evidence or proven method. The fact that they may have been through it themselves does not add any weight to the credibilty or accuracy of what they say, sometimes the reverse.. Prove me wrong by all means and if you provide a reasoned argument I will listen, however please bear in mind that I am, as you are, entitled to my own opinion and to suggest that I am not a reasoanble person is without foundation and factually incorrect. Please read my comments, they may be controversial but you will struggle to prove them wrong and surely that is what this site is all about?????

I think you have probably answered your own point here nuff said I think:-)

Depends how much you earn each week/month, however all councils do them as its the most cost efficient way of recovering debts. If you want to provide amounts in open forum please do as the administrators on this site seem to prefer that. I will be able to assist in this if you can provide information, I would prefer off line but if you are happy on line thenm I will oblige

Thanks for the warning ukaviator, however judging by what I have seen so far giving incorrect advice on this site is the norm so perhaps you should concentarte on that, I on the the other hand would prefer to provide those in need with a practical and workable solution, I am aware of the impliactions of providing personal information so you can rest assured about that. I assume STB is upset that he has been exposed as quite useless in the advice field hence the message you have sent.

PEGLEG how much do you owe and for what period, provide by private message if you wish. The LGO do not have jurisdiction in this matter so a compalint to them will achive nothing. I am confident that I can get the bailiffs to reduce the payment amount but I will need more info, it would be better to do this not in public forum so please feel free to send private message.

DONS2008 sadly your predicament is all too common however the advice that you are being given here is either erroneous or too convoluted to follow, neither will assist you in an early resolution. It seems that the actions carried out by the bailiff in these circumstances is a classic example of “constructive distress” and whilst not all cases of this kind are unlawful in your case I am confident that the conduct of the bailiff is totally unlawful. The Community Charge legal case of Evans v South Ribble council found in favour of the appellant (i.e. you in this case) and ruled that the distress was unlawful. I have confidence in bringing this to a satisfactory conclusion, if you want to contact me by private message I will assist you in this matter.

Apology accepted STB

STB I think you are actually referring to Regulation 4 in Schedule 3 of the The Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) Regulations 1989 SI 1058 1989 and The Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 SI 613 1992 which both state: References in the Table to paragraph 1 to costs, fees and expenses include references to amounts payable by way of value added tax with respect to the supply of goods or services to which the costs, fees and expenses relate. This of course means that the prescribed fees include VAT and therefore cannot be increased by the VAT element. Please be aware that VAT cannot be added to any of the prescribed fees in any circumstances.

Which SI does this refer to? I don't recall saying I thought they were reasonable, please read my message correctly. I find it is usually best to establish the full facts and not make assumptions otherwise the advice you give can be misleading and wrong.

Unfortunately STB is incorrect on two counts, firstly the Bailiff cannot add VAT onto the costs and secondly the amount of costs may well add up to the amount the bailiff is claiminmg (see part C of the the schedule that STB has provided the link for) you should note that "reasonable" is not an agreement or what you may think is reasonable but it will depend upon the actions taken by the bailiff and whether or not they can justify the costs in connection with the actions, which they generally can. The bailiff may have taken walking possession so you need to ensure you check all documentation carefully to see what it says before throwing allegations of fraud, which of course it may not be and you will probably lose all credibality when trying to negotiate with them. Send me details by PM and I can probably help you to resolve this.

You are right I should not pick people up for their spelling so I apologise, it just suck out like a sore thumb as I was reading through the comments. I am not a bailiff, but I do pay council tax so you will have to excuse my opinions, which of course I am entitled to make. I also apologise also if my opinions do not conform to your own, however I know that some of the advice given is wrong and I would hate to see you make fools of yourself just by blindly following it. OPSI website contains all UK law so if you want to look it up go there and do not rely on the advice of people who clearly do not know what they are talking about.

Missconfused, the correct spelling is Bailiff, I have as much right as you to post comments on this site, its easy to deflect blame that way you presumably feel vindicated.

I came accross this site concerned about bank charges, however following this thread I realise why my own Council Tax is so high with so many people not only defaulting on their legal obligations to pay but looking for ways to get out of costs which presumably they expect tax payers to pay in legal aid and for councils to employ debt collectors. Most of the information and advice given by STB and tubby is not only incorrect but not lawful and to blindly follow their (benwell please note correct spelling) advice would be reckless to say the least. You all claim that the actions of the bailiff are unjust and unlawful, the truth is that you are all acting unlawfully yourself but see the bailiffs and councils as an easy target who will no not "talk back", pay your dues in the first place and bailiffs will not need to call, if they do be adult enough to accept the consequences of your own inactions.