As i understand it, the bailiffs can't charge the 235 pounds to people who have already had their account charged under the old rules for the two visits.

My liability is roughly 680 and the bailiffs are wanting 720 something, so it would seem at this stage they have charged for two visits. I paid the council 200 quid a couple of days ago, as i'd paid them nothing this year. They'd sent me a letter asking for the whole council tax bill for the year upfront don't you love these councils. I feel that i will have little choice but to try and make a payment plan with the bailiffs in an attempt to avoid the further 235 bill. I hear that they are unreasonable and will demand 300 quid a month.

Ok, so they still need peaceful entry it would seem according to what some of you have suggested, which sounds good to me and makes me feel a bit less concerned about having my door messed with. I want to get a clear understanding of this situation not only for myself but clarity for others too. The letter Bristow and Sutor sent is titled in bold 'New Enforcement Process Commenced' The opening paragraph explains the liability order against me and talks about the visits made. They then suggest in the next paragraph 'the process and fees they charge will change on the 6th of April', and inform me that they will then be acting as enforcement agents wanting to take control of goods in accordance with Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement act 2007. Then in the middle of the letter they say payment must be made in full within 5 days. Then in bold. Failure to pay will result in enforcement agents being instructed to visit the address to take control of the goods. The cost of the visit will be a minimum of £235. Then it says, if your goods are removed further costs will be payable. What i would like to know is, if i start paying the council say £150 a month and just totally ignore the bailiffs will the bailiffs eventually give up and pass it back to the council? As you say, if i am paying the council taking further action (getting permission from the court to break in) will become difficult. And, what happens to the bailiff fees if i am ignoring them and paying the council direct. Presumably they will turn up within the near future for a third time and then bill me a further £235 on top of their existing charges? Thankyou.

As i understand it, the council have passed it to baiiffs and the bailiff letters say you need to deal with them only. I know the council can't refuse payments, but him paying the council a few quid a week won't resolve the bailiff matter will it? I think i am going to call the bailiffs tomorrow and see what sort of payment plan they would accept. i really don't want to part with a massive chunk of cash, but i will if it stops the doors being drilled, which appears to be the case as of now on...?

I've sent the council an email. I pointed out that the fees i am going to rack up will be counter productive. I indicated that the goods in my property aren't worth what i owe and that what is of value is used for work. I explained that as they well know, the bailiffs will take anything and everything irrespective of the damage it will do to earning potential and the goods wont even cover their fees. I told them that it will ultimately go to court and take great deal of time to clear and incur yet more charges. I offered them a lump sum, 400 and told them to spread the rest on the current years payments and set up a standing order. I also pointed out that i am getting working tax credit so they could take that if they wished. The email pretty much highlights that they will make a repairable situation worse. If i was them i wouldn't refuse but you never know with these toss pots.

Hi, So in a situation where i want to spread payments, what would be the best thing to do? I don't really want to let a bailiff in to be honest. Or pay them their fees.

Sorry, i did look for a council tax section but got a bit lost. I have ignored them and looking at what i owe and what they say i owe they have charged for two visits. So if i ignore them what will happen? will they turn up after April the 6th to drill me? I guess in an ideal world i would be able to coerce the council to take the debt back or get the bailiffs to send it back.

That's bloody annoying. Will calling them to set up a payment plan stop them wanting to come around? Failing that i guess i could always pay the council direct, online and let the bailiffs know i've paid the council.

Hi guys, interesting discussion. I have received a letter from Bristow and Sutor who are trying to collect about 600 quids worth of council tax (although their letter says 700 and something now) As of yet i have just ignored them, made no contact. Ideally i'd like it to be passed back to the council so i can just pay in installments. Worst case i could pay it off in full but i am self employed so try to limit damage to cash flow. The letter says 'New enforcement process' and says i must pay in full within 5 days of the letter. It says failure to do so will result in them coming around to take my goods. They mention changes to the processes coming into effect as of the 6th of April. The letter reads as if they can now turn up at your house and drill the locks. They talk about locksmith charges on the back of the letter. They also say i can only pay them to stop this, presumably to stop me paying the council and them not getting their fee's? Is it just scaremongering? I never bothered revoking their implied right of access, i couldn't be bothered, but it seems as if that is now no longer possible? They use the word bailiffs to describe themselves, but aren't they just debt collectors? I will also add that a magistrates liability order was made against me middle of last year. Nicholas.

He's self employed... They tried to put a charge on his property but the recession put it into negative equity so they dumped the idea. He basically has nothing of value or assets. The letter i have is from the magistrate saying he has had a complaint from the council and to avoid turning up he has to pay 1183 for 12 months plus costs of 354. It isn't a bailiff. I would have thought if he paid that then the rest he could say he has not got the money and will pay a bit monthly until he can afford it. I am sure any magistrate would see willing after a 1500 chunk payment. Trouble is i dont think my dad wants to pay as he doesnt owe them. I need to know if a magistrate would take a statement from a neighbour as evidence for vacation. really.

He works but after bills nothing left. He don't get benefits. The letter that came is a liability order for 1100 quid covering 12 months. + 354 costs so 1500 If he paid that i guess they would submit liability orders for the rest? His debt totals 11k

Hi, He basically has no fixed abode. He was living with his mom but she never added him to the council tax and she died in 2009 then he swaps between friends and family. But all the neighbours know he hanst lived at this address for years and years. I thought my dad was paying the council tax but he wasnt the debt is now mine. He still has his mail delivered here etc. Will they try to lock him up? thanks.

My father owes over 10k for the council tax on a house he has never lived in - i have been the resident so it is me that owes the money. They have not listened to me saying the debt is mine and ordered him to appear in court. He has no evidence to say he has not lived here and i don't even think he intends to go to the court. Would a magistrate accept a statement from a neighbour to confirm he has not lived at the address? Also when the police come looking for him and find he is not living here what will they want to do then? He is living down south so would they continue to look for him?