Equita - Bailiffs

[soapfan]

First time on here and have to say its pretty interesting to read some of the threads!

 

Mine is with Equita! I received a letter on 8th Dec telling me I owed £319 in Council Tax, which I agree with. I telephoned them immediately only to be told that it had already been passed to the Bailiff and they gave me his number. I called him but he was looking after his kids at the time and said he would have to ring me back. He didn't. A week later I received a letter sso I called him again and he apologised as he had lost my number!!! I paid him £200 there and then and agreed to pay the remainder on 31st January. I looked at my bank statement today only to find that they have taken £264 from my account! I phoned the bailiff and he told me the £145 was for fees! I asked what the fees were for as he hadn't done anything and was told to write to Equita to ask for a breakdown, which I have done.

 

These fees seem very high, can anyone explain them or do I have to wait ages for their reply?

[dx100uk]

look in the bailiffs section.

there are set fees that they only can charge...your figure is well abobe this.

 

dx

[42man]

Hi Soapfan...welcome to the CAG forums, i'll move your thread to the Bailiffs forum where hopefully you should get some more advice/comment

[soapfan]

Thanks 42MAN.

[scatz1972]

Bailiff fees for collecting council tax are laid down in law.

 

The Council Tax Administration & Enforcement (Amendment) 1993. Si 773 amended by Si 295 0f 1998, Si 768 of 2003 and Si 3395 of 2006

 

First visit fee: £24.50 This is for a first attendance to levy but where a levy does not takes place. (For example where you are not in)

 

The bailiff can charge a levy fee if they levy but he cannot charge both amounts on the same occasion.

 

Second visit fee: £18.00 Despite any further visits, the bailiff can only charge for a maximum of 2 visits.

 

Levy Fee: Under this heading the bailiff can charge £24.50 for the first £100, and 4% on the next £400 etc.

 

First £100 £24.50

Next £400 @ 4%

Remaining £100 @ 2.5%

 

Walking posession order £12

 

This is the link to the nationaldebtline website, the fees a bailiff can charge whilst collecting council tax are at the bottom of the page.

 

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.u k/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=02_bai liffs_and_council_tax

 

 

Write to the bailiff company and ask for a breakdown of the fees that they have added to your account send a duplicate of this letter to your LA, keep a copy and send recorded.

[scatz1972]

Meanwhile....some advice STOP phoning the bailiff he will only bully you and you have no recorded of the conversation, keep everything in writing and send recorded and keep copies and duplicate any letters you send the bailiff to the LA.

 

IF the bailiff has never been in your home by peacful means then they cannot force entry, however they can gain entry through an open door/window. So keep your windows and doors closed.

 

If you have a car move it AWAY from your home.

 

Some dodgy bailiffs have also been known to levy (take a list of goods through your window) this isnt allowed, so be safe and keep your curtains closed if you go out.

 

If the bailiff turns up and you are in, do not open the door to them just either ignore, go out a back door and speak to them outside or talk to them through a window.

[soapfan]

Thank you, your advice is gratefully received. I have written to Equita asking them for a breakdown so will just wait for them to reply.

 

Will keep you informed about what happens next!!

[scatz1972]

Thank you, your advice is gratefully received. I have written to Equita asking them for a breakdown so will just wait for them to reply.

 

Will keep you informed about what happens next!!

 

Okay no probs....

 

Also be aware of something Equita like to call enforcement costs....this is their dubious name for an attendance fee. According to the statutory fee scale they can only charge an attendance fee AFTER a levy (list of goods) has been made.