Firstly, thankyou to everyone taking the time to advise me, I really appreciate it. The bailiff concerned is ross and roberts, operating on behalf of Portsmouth council. Its sickening to think that they can enter my garden and potentially take my kids toys amongst other things. I will send a letter to he council requesting that the debt be handed back to them and a copy to bailiff as suggested. I will be also be requesting from ross and roberts a breakdown of their charges, I am temped to sign "ripped off customer!"In the meantime I will try and pay council online as I have orginal ref number. Thanks Kelcou for the useful link, I have copied and pasted it into a word doc. Thanks again everyone Kirsty

Thanks for your replies and being move to the most appropriate forum. hallowitch, I have recently been diagnosed with cancer. Before this I was training to be a nurse and in reciept of a bursary but I will be suspended from my course due to rules on absence. My husband is in full time employment but has had to take a lot of time off to look after me and the children, this will be the situation for the foreseeable future. The bailiff has not levied anything yet as ive always paid them but I know I will not be able to pay this months installment. I have been paying them since January. i havent asked for a break down of charges, ?I dont think that they have added any charges to the original amount owed to council yet. Hes not visited but i believe there are 3 seperate liability orders. Thanks Kirsty

Hi all, I would appreciate if someone could advize me on what to do.... I have been paying £90 per month to baliffs for £916 outstanding from 1995-2001. (still have about £300 outstanding) Because of sudden ill health im not able to afford to pay this amount anymore as our household income has dramactically reduced. (Not as if I really was before) Should I write to the council or baliffs to explain situation, is it any use? What annoys me though is the fact that I was jointly liable for this debt in the first place with an ex-partner. Even though I have previously given the council his address they have pursued me for the debt as it is "easier"! This is not fair, especially as at the time of the debt he was working and not me. Why should he get away scot free just because im a easy target for this council, is this even legal?