I'm looking for clarification regarding the use of Bailiffs where a person is in reciept of benefits and/or deemed a vulnerable adult. I don't believe it is prohibited. But, I cannot find the right info online. Is it just a guideline for Local Authorities? mike

Just an update. I've been in touch with the council and my local councillor. The council have not taken the debt back but the recent fees have been 'waived'. They make it sound like they're doing it out of kindness, but the fees were unlawful anyway. They're happy to leave it with equita, at my current arrangement though the bailiff has been pulled off, without his fees:D I also have a breakdown of the remaining charges. £22.50 1st Visit, £16.50 2nd Visit and £31.96 for a bounced cheque. Hmm, I did have a bounced cheque on one of my payments for £6.00 last year. But, I feel empowered now, surely I can get that charge dropped as well? thanks all for your advice.

The link works OK for me, what problem are you having?

The £39 bailiff fees are legitimate but I would question the others. Have they entered your property? I am having the same trouble with the same company. National Debtline sentme a factsheet. If no levy has been made, no further charges can be added. It's extortion. How do these people sleep at night knowing their wages are paid for from other's benefits? Madness. mike

Do I really have to pay £10 for that info? I could understand it with the bank charges, 6 years worth of statements, but this is much more basic. Don't I have a right to the info without having to pay for it? I have asked for it, we'll see.

But, that's not what I have read about the fees. It says ' For one attendance with vehicle with a view to recover goods after the levy has been made'. But, no levy has been made. Besides, it's £200 they've added on, 3 times what I owe! Are you saying I have to accept that charge?

Many thanks for that, I've told them before(equita) in writing that I am in recipt of benefits. They never reply except with more threats. It's incredible what they can get away with. The letter he left this morning basically says he will remove goods in 24hrs whether or not I am at home! And if I don't call, that is deemed as refusal to pay. Ridiculous, I've never refused, I've sent cheques and they have been cashed. Thank God I didn't let him in. Mind you, I live in a block with an entry system. He gained entry to the block by some other means, presumably via a neighbour, but has not been through MY door. Could he use that to say he's been in my flat? I shall contact the council as advised.

Hello ponygirl, I'm having the same trouble with these equita ****. I find what I read on this site reassuring for the most part, but a visit this morning has left me in shock too. I hope we can both get this sorted and put these evil so and so's in their place.:-?

Hi, I have a relatively small amount of outstanding Council Tax which was passed to equita. £150 was the original amount. I am now on Income Support and made an arrangement to pay £20 monthly last year which I kept up until December. I missed that months payment basically due to the cost of xmas. I also had my Income Support reduced for Social Fund deductions. I wrote to equita with a new proposal in January for £6.00 fortnightly and started the payments. Now, from that one missed payment, all hell has broke loose. I've received threatening letters about goods being removed and even Prison Committal. I sent a letter using template from here, saying I wouldn't let them, asking for breakdown of account etc. Received the breakdown, £150 council tax, £68 bailiff costs. Amount owed £68. So, I've actually paid the original debt and just owe these costs. I thought that would be the end of the matter, I continue to pay £6 fortnightly till the £68 is cleared. No such luck! This morning, a knock at the door. I opened it becasue I'm expecting a parcel. But, it was a bailiff, came to remove goods. I explained that i have been paying, and, in fact, he had a list of my payments which he went through. He said I didn't pay in December, that's why he's here. And now, all of a sudden, I owe £256!! Where did that come from?! Anyway, I shut the door on him, he mumbled something about 24hours and left a note. I'm sitting here now shaking, not quite knowing where to turn. I've read everything about what they can and can't do, but a couple of questions to put my mind at rest. Can they take goods in my absence as his note suggests? How can I get them off my back? What can I do about the sudden rise in anount owed? Thanks in advance, any advise appreciated. I'll just add, though not relevant to the case, that I'm currently receiving treatment for Severe Depression and this has really put me back.

There's also a very useful page here Multikulti : English : Debt : Bailiffs & Council Tax

See this thread shaz12 http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-bailiffs-advice/33623-types-bailiffs-their-fees-2.html#post383270 £2.90 per week can be deducted from your benefits.

Having succesfully recovered my own charges, I am now doing the same for my sister and am about to send the LBA. But given that we have the festive season upon us and several bank holidays should I allow further time for their reply or should I stick to the 14 days?

I've used the PO Box all along and everything's been fine.

I used the info here http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bank-templates-library/681-4-particulars-claim-n1.html#post3551 amended to suit my circumstances.

Good Luck ellie-emily! I have just received a letter from Halifax, they are paying in full within 5 days. I WON!

Never mind, I was worrying about nothing. The delay was due to processing EX160 for exemption of fees. Notice of Issue deemed served 26 September, Claim no. 6DA02702. I shall be checking online banking tuesday onwards with fingers crossed

I took my N1 claim to my Local County Court last Monday and hadn't heard anything in 10 days so I decided to ring them. The bloke I spoke to was less than helpful and, after about 10mins of silence, He told me that my case had been referred to the District Judge. That's it, no other info. Does this mean Halifax have put in a defence? Shouldn't I have more info/papers? Or, am I just being impatient:? mikeg41 My Original thread

I have just called the Court about the progress of my case because I haven't heard anything in 9 days. The person on the phone told me that my case had been referred to a district Judge who will decide what to do. Is this normal? I'm rather concerned that this isn't going to be as routine as others. Has this happened to anyone else? mike

Can anyone tell me how to change the title of my thread? As it's no longer round one I'll also need to know if, sorry, when they pay up. thanks

Just an update. I decided to send a Final Letter Before Action just in case as I hadn't sent the LBA recorded delivery. Just the usual fob off respponse to that. I have now handed in form N1(2 copies) to Local County Court(not Moneyclaim as I am on Income Support-no fees). Total Claimed £722.83. Watch this space.

Thanks for replying, yes i have copies of all leters sent. I shall proceed with action!

Just an update folks Received offer of £281 Full and Final settlement. Naturally, I refused offer as Full but accepted as part settlement and sent LBA on 14 Aug. The 14 days is now up and I haven't heard from them and I haven't received the part settlement(has anyone?). One thing that is bothering me is that I didn't send my LBA recorded delivery, I just used the reply envelope. Could this be a problem, they could just say they never received it? thanks all mikeg41

Received Statements today, total charges £591. There is one entry I am not sure about though, it is labelled as 'HEAD OFFICE 94Dfied' and is a debit of £60, anyone know what this is? I'm preparing my prelim letter and not sure whether to include this. Also, am I right in thinking I can reclaim the £10 I paid for requesting the statements? thanks mike

I have just started the ball rolling after two charges for failed DD's meant that I was overdrawn(another charge!) and my Income Support would be swallowed up. I've had to arrange for my Benefits to be paid by Girocheque to avoid this. I am a Full-time Carer and was astonished that they could take so much in one week, especially as the DD's were tiny in comparison to the charges. Anyway, I posted the Data Protection Act letter on the 11th of this month with a £10.00 postal order and confirmed receipt the following day. I also sent an email to Customer Relations politely letting them know what I felt about these charges and what my intentions were. I'm not expecting my claim to be huge, only 3 figures, but today I have already received my 1st offer of £94! Needless to say, I won't be accepting this. The battle continues...

Good Luck maggie! I'm at the same stage. May I ask to which address did you send your DPA letter to? I sent mine to Trinity Road but I notice there is another at Commercial Street?