bump anyone?

Morning, Well that is the letter regards the car sent and a 4 figure sum paid to the council this morning. Leaving several hundred, less the erroneous £250 charge for 'enforcement'. Does anyone here have experience of paying these people off at a monthly rate? Best P

FYI and in order to update this thread these charges appear to remain in force: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bailiffs-sheriff-officers/165698-merton-bailiff-services-advice.html

From their website (I find it odd that the law can be applied in a 'slightly different way'... : Merton Bailiff Services are the council's in house bailiff team, collecting unpaid council tax, business rates and parking contravention notices. Originally operating as part of the arrears recovery team with 1 bailiff, they have now expanded the service trading similar to a stand alone business unit with 5 bailiffs and 3 office based staff. The team receive instructions from their respective clients only after their own attempts to secure payment have proved unsuccessful and aim to process these cases within a 90 day period. Whilst having exactly the same enforcement powers as a private company we apply bailiff law in a slightly different way. Council Tax debt recovery When collecting council tax, a bailiff will visit a property to levy on goods (seize them) and obtain a signed walking possession notice, which gives them a right of access to these goods after a stated period of time has lapsed if the case remains unpaid. The amount of time allowed will vary, although usually it would be a minimum of 5 days. By working in this way it allows opportunity for the chargepayer to raise the required amount, consult with the CAB or other agencies or to resolve any outstanding issues direct with the council. This action will result in fees being added to the original account balance, some of which are statutory and some discretionary. The discretionary fees are those charged for attendance, the use of removal contractors, locksmiths etc. and are set by the bailiff manager and agreed at director level. On average the amount charged for this process will be £300.00.

I will double check this and pay the £24.50 if it is the first and will ensure that all figures are correct, thanks for that. I am assuming that paying this amount in several installments via the online facility would be an acceptable way to move this forward to conclusion? Thanks again. P

Thanks so much for the numerous replies which seem to cover the car aspect. My next, and hopefully final question would revolve around paying the council tax. There's no question that we owe funds to the council and we are happy to pay, but cannot do so all at once clearly. What might be the best route to follow regards raising this issue with the council themselves (I am making the assumption that we are better off paying them directly rather than these bailiffs). Thanks again. P

Hi there, hope you are all well and I shall make it brief! Girlfriend with whom I co-habit (property solely in her name) appears not to have been able to keep up with Council Tax payments without my knowledge and upon my return today I have found she has had a 'Seizure of Goods and Inventory' notification from Merton Balliff Services placed through her door whilst there was nobody home to the tune of £1335 plus £66 levy fee and £250 Enforcement costs. It states that payment as listed above must be received to the Bailiff or the Bailiff Services within 5 days. It also cites my untaxed (SORN) car, registered to this address, parked on the properties parking area (off the road), as the sole inventory item to be removed. Basic questions: I can pay this off for her, but clearly not all at once - how should I address this with the Council and/or the Balliff Services? Would anyones experience indicate what would be an agreeable amount (over and above the normal council tax payment amount). I am aware that these bailiffs are essentially council workers. What should I be doing to ensure that these guys do not remove any of her goods. Any indication to best practice or wise letters/phone calls that should be sent would be invaluable over the weekend. Needless to say I am rather attached to my old car! I have read the excellent postings on bailiff visits but anything specific would be of help. best wishes P