Firstly I would like to say sorry for not being on here, but I have am recovering from bronchitus on top of everything else with the local council and Jacobs. I took the advice of asking for a SAR and within 2 days I had a reply from Jacobs, nearly halving my bill, thanks to everyone on here for such fantastic advice, I know this is just a part of the problem but for me a large one sorted now to start making the payments direct to the council. I did find a different code on an old bill which relates to the outstanding amount so when I pay online on Tuesday I will try that number, thanks for that and fingers crossed that it works. Thanks again everyone

thanks outlawla I thought that is what I had read somewhere, bit boggled by all the sites I have looked at over this thanks ploddertom I will have to dig out the old bill and have a look

I have cheded out the councils pay online page and I am not given the option the select the year I wish to pay, although already have direct debits set up for this years council tax, from another bank account. Surely if I make the online payments plus the direct debit payments then I am showing that I am actually trying to pay the debt off.

there is just one other thing when you made payments direct to the council how did you know it was taken from the debt and not that years council tax

I have to agree with you there agb657 you have all given so much useful information when I was at a point that I thought I would just give in, this site has been a god send for me thanks

thanks for the quick reply, I am at a stage of thinking I should just pay the whole amount of original debt direct to the council, but feel that I will still have a battle going on with the bailiffs for quiet a while yet.

thanks agb657, what did the council do when the account was paid in full, and if you dont mind me asking how long did the whole thing go on for. Also once you had start making payments did the bailiff return at any time.

can anyone tell the outcome if they have actually: a. refused to deal with an abusive bailiff ? b. paid in instalments the original debt, prior to bailiff charges, direct to a council ? or b2. paid the original debt, prior bailiff charges, direct to a council ? c, who is responsible for the bailiff charges should the debt be either recalled or returned to a council ?

I was in when he posted the second letter through the door and know it was only him and a his car outside, I have told jacobs head office that I will have no contact with this bullying, intimidating man, at which the girl told me I am well within my rights to do so. I will be getting straight on to doing a letter to jacobs head office to request a break down of the charges, which once I receive this I will then scan the letter and forward it onto the council. Thanks again for all the sound advice.

I have no goods outside the property that could be levied on, so does the bailiff have the right to charge me another £150.00 for a visit, he has never gained access to the property either. My original outstanding council tax bill is £443.58, first visit from the bailiff the bill stands at £655.08, second visit from the bailiff the bill now stands at £785.08.

I did forget to mention that I had another visit from Jacobs Bailiffs today my bill went from £655.08 to £785.08 for him to turn up in his car, sit outside my property for half an hour and have a lunch break and to knock on the door for about 5 minutes, where is the justice in that. The orginal debt is for about £444.00.

thank you outlawla that is really good advice as my direct debits are to £70.00 per month and I have offered a £50.00 payment to clear the outstanding debt which I will do online that is not a problem WD, I am thankful for all the advice I have gained on here it has helped no end and made me feel more confident about dealing with the bailiff ( or not as I have refused to have any contact with such a bully), and to tackle the council about this matter. I just think that the Milton Keynes council have it in for me as a few years ago I won a tribunal against them over benefits overpayments, and was awarded £2000.00. I am at present awaiting another appeal against the council again for overpayments of benefit which so far has taken a year and still I am waiting, this is where this outstanding council tax bill comes from.

I have spoken to the council this morning and offered to make a monthly payment that I can afford but they have refused stating that the debt is with the bailiff and I need to deal with them, I also asked for them to recall the debt but again they refused, and have also refused to put this in writing for me. I told them that each month on a certain day I will pay a certain amount online, only to be told that it will be taken off my council tax bill for this year, although I have a direct debit set up of this amount. I also stated about regulation 46 but got told I have been misinformed and that I should seek advice from a solicitor. The bailiffs office have also refused to take a monthly payment stating that the bailiff I am now dealing with is a recovery bailiff and wont accept anything but the whole amount, which I can not afford to pay in one go. I told Jacobs that Im refusing to have any dealings with the bailiff as he has lied and bullied me into thinking he can gain access to the property while I am out, which I now know he cant, I was told that I have the right to do this. I was then told that if the bailiff does not get the payment from me that it will be handed back to the council and go to court again. At no time has the amount been means tested. I am about to do two letters of complaint, one to the council and one to Jacobs, who on their website state that they will help if you are unable to repay the debt in full. The thing is now is I am not sure how I stand should I go ahead and make online payments to the council, my thinking on this is if it goes back to court I have shown that I have tried to pay the debt back direct to the council and also should I stand firm against Jacobs and refuse to have any contact with them?

I will keep everyone informed as you have all helped put my mind at rest and made me realise that I dont have to be intimidated by the bailliffs

thanks again for all the good advice, all the comments have helped, as I said I will contact the council this morning as I now know my rights and that I should not be bullied into making a payment that I just cant afford, thanks to everyone

thank you I will contact the council in the morning

thank you I will be in touch with the council in the morning

He has never gained access to the property and has only visited the property once to hand deliver a letter I have tried to talk to the council direct about this matter but got told its not their problem, after some of the things I have read they should be able to take the debt back from the bailiffs and allow me to pay this back at a rate I can afford, can anyone confirm this for me. thanks for all the advice

I have had a visit from Jacobs bailiffs I have offered to make a monthly payment but have been told that it is too late, although this was the first visit. I owe £443.00 council tax and had one bailiff removals letter posted through my door, Jacobs have added their charges and now I have an outstanding bill of £655.08 and will receive £720.00 tomorrow, due to the phone conversation I had today with the bailiff in charge, where I felt totally intimidated, I said I would pay tomorrow, although not stating how much, he has adviced me that goods from my home will be removed if I dont pay and basically using scare tactics. I am a single parent on family tax credits and work part time, so if I were to pay the full amount this would leave myself and my 6 year old daughter without gas, electric, and food. I am now unsure what to do and would be greatful of any advice on this matter, this is causing me no end of stress when Im already on anti depressants. I am extremely worried that the bailiff will just turn up and try to gain entery into the property as he has already stated that things can be taken in my absence which is a worry as there is only myself and my young daughter in the house.

I have had a visit from Jacobs Bailiffs I have offered to make a monthly payment but have been told that it is too late, although this was the first visit. I owe £443.00 council tax and had one bailiff removals letter posted through my door, Jacobs have added their charges and now I have an outstanding bill of £655.08 and will receive £720.00 tomorrow, due to the phone conversation I had today with the bailiff in charge, where I felt totally intimidated, I said I would pay tomorrow, although not stating how much, he has adviced me that goods from my home will be removed if I dont pay and basically using scare tactics. I am a single parent on family tax credits and work part time, so if I were to pay the full amount this would leave myself and my 6 year old daughter without gas, electric, and food. I am now unsure what to do and would be greatful of any advice on this matter, this is causing me no end of stress when Im already on anti depressants. I am extremely worried that the bailiff will just turn up and try to gain entery into the property as he has already stated that things can be taken in my absence which is a worry as there is only myself and my young daughter in the house.