Bailiffs and council tax

[kimmcgeoghan]

Please can someone help me. Have today had a hand delivered letter from Equita bailiffs concerning my council tax arrears. Have been paying my council tax over the automated phone line and am now only behind by this month, 79.00 pounds. I have also had a, notice of seizure and inventory of goods, which states that i owe 569.50 pounds for council tax, and 162.00 bailiff costs. This is their first visit. Their have put on there my vehicle registration and a description of my car, but the car is on hire purchase. Could anyone please give me any advice on what to do next, or who i should get in touch with first. The letter says payment due in full - 24 hours. Thanks.

[tomtubby]

This is WRONG.

 

Do NOT let the bailiff into your home.

 

Can you please send me the name of the actual bailiff who's name is on the letter. I will check to see if he is certificated.

 

Please send this by Private Message ONLY.

 

I

[falcon185]

I agree with tomtubby, do NOT let them in. In order to carry out a levy of goods they first have to gain peaceful entry to your home. They cannot charge you for a levy if they cannot carry one out. The fees seem a little high, their first visit should be £24.50, second visit £18.50 totalling £43.00 if my memory serves me well?

They CANNOT charge for any further visits. They can charge for a levy once it has been done or walking posession, I'm pretty sure they cannot charge for a van either unless a levy has been carried out and they return to take goods with a van which can only be charged at a reasonable rate.

 

They cannot force entry to your property and if you have been paying the council by automated phone line you should advise the bailiff of this if he returns.

Hope this helps

[kimmcgeoghan]

The notice of seizure has, form of walking possession, on it but i haven't signed it.

[falcon185]

Unless you have let them into your home previously they cannot have a walking posession, they need to list items within your property which you then have to sign, if they havent been in your home then they cannot charge for a walking posession, seems like these cowboys are trying it on. It may well be worth writing to them asking for a full break down of costs on your account. You will then be able to see what they are actually charging you for and contest the charges if they are not correct. This could also buy you a little time.

[kimmcgeoghan]

I am really worried that he will turn up tomorrow and try and take the car.

[falcon185]

If you have a garage, put your car in it and keep the garage locked, they cannot break into your garage or park well away from your property until the matter is sorted out.

[kimmcgeoghan]

Will have to park away from the house, even though the car is on hire purchase.

[falcon185]

Hi Kim,

if your car is on finance they cannot take the car. If they return, show them the HP agreement, that will prove to them the car is on finance. So long as you can prove anything is on HP they will not be able to take it. It still remains though "do NOT let them in"!

[kimmcgeoghan]

Thanks 4 all of ya help will do that!!!

[falcon185]

Your welcome

[kimmcgeoghan]

Is there anything else i can do to that will keep the bailiffs from taking my car away !!

[falcon185]

If your car is on HP they are not allowed to remove it, although your name is on the log book it still technically belongs to the finance company. So long as you can prove its on HP they cant do diddly.

[kimmcgeoghan]

HaHa thanks 4 all of your help really i will post you back when i find out what the bailiffs are going to do later on !!

[falcon185]

I look forward to your next chapter Good luck!