Thanks HC, Sometimes it's hard knowing who to trust but at the same time, I had to deal with a bailiff on behalf of my friend who said that he could turn up with police and demand entry to her home - all of which is complete rubbish so I'm more than aware that they have a tendency to bend the truth somewhat! Will do as you've suggested but will try a couple of other consumer organisations as well. Biggest problem at the moment is trying to find out who the registered body behind Bristow & Sutor is so that I can register an official complaint, seeing as how they don't have it on their website.

So instead of slagging each other off - and bearing in mind that I work full time and can't get to the bloody CAB - can somebody please tell me what's right? I thought that the idea of this site was to give correct information. If it's not, can someone point me in the direction of a site who can.

Brilliant stuff, thanks again!

Thank you so much - Bristow and Sutor make all the noises about being a reputable company but they're no better than the rest of them! I don't have a mobile number for the bailiff, just an 0871 number which only operates during working hours. As I teach during the day it's virtually impossible for me to call except at lunch time on my mobile and I don't have the money to cover that!! They don't even have na email address for queries just a 'Contact Us' box on their website which allows you up to 250 characters for your query! i will definitely be in touch with the council over this - I might even have a look at previous dealings I'v had with them where I'm sure I've been charged extortionate amounts before. By the way, according to the DCA website they shouldn't have spoken to my husband about the debts as they're in my name, is that right? Sorry about the barrage of questions but it seems that you're the first person who can actually show me some light!

Thanks for that, I'll certainly be getting touch with them. Unfortunately there are so many fees on this notice that he's left that I can barely make head or tail of what's right. Please tell me what you think: 24.50 attendance to levy fees 45.00 levy fees 24.50 redemption of goods fee I haven't got a clue what any of that means!

I have been struggling with paying the council tax at our home and have been trying to deal with it but am probably not as on the ball as I should be, (6 months pregnant, 2 children and an unwell husband) so I have let things slide a little. Anyway, Bristow Sutor are now involved and they came round to the house while I was at work. My husband let them in (he didn't really know who they were) and they performed an inventory of the goods in our house for seizure and made an agreement with my husband for me to repay what I owe. Now bearing in mind that the council tax is in my name ONLY, are they allowed to tell my husband what I owe or to make payment arangements with him without my authority? My husband is not particularly well and the last thing he needed was this stress on top of everything else. Do I have grounds for complaint?