Equita bailiffs, Help!

[FairPlay77]

Hi, i am 5 months pregnant and have Equita chasing me for unpaid council tax.

I would like to add that our wonderful local council failed to tell us it had stopped the direct debits and only 1 month later took us to court without notifying us.

Anyway i owe them money which i do not have.

I have no savings, no money in the bank, and i am currently out of work. My husband works but we cannot afford to pay this debt plus the rent and household bills.

This morning i opened the door to a bailiff, oops!

He was quite understanding, but still wants the full payment. I didnt let him in, but was tempted just to let him come and take the furniture, although we dont have much and nothing of any value.

He said i could write to Equita and ask them to set up a monthly payment, but when i spoke to them last week on the phone they wanted quite a large payment first, which i explained i couldnt afford.

The bailiff has also added nearly 300 pounds to the debt?!

How can they charge this much?

I have heard i can get the council to take back the debt, how do i do this?

I would also like to know if the bailiff does come again will he take all my furniture? Will he take my car? its very old, only worth about 100 pounds!

I really dont need this added stress during my pregnancy, please help.

Any advise would be much appriciated.

 

You DO NOT have to deal with the bailiff! The facts are these:

 

1. If you have not let the bailiff in and have not signed a Walking Possession form, which appears to be the case, the bailiff, who it seems has only made one visit, can only charge you £24. If he visits the property again, he can add £18 for his second visit but NOTHING thereafter so long as you do not let him in and do not sign a Walking Possession form

 

2. Technically speaking, you now owe the bailiffs £42.50. BUT it sems from what you say that they have ATTEMPTED TO OVERCHARGE YOU.

This is A CRIME. You know the saying that one good turn deserves another. Well here's a second saying: One bad turn deserves another.

Why the hell should you pay anything to the bailiffs considering that they have tried to cheat you.?They are not going to take you to court over the £42.50 that you owe, because to do so would expose their illegaility in front of a judge.

 

3. What you should do is this: If the bailiffs come again, do not let them in (they have no right of entry unless you have previously allowed them in) and keep your doors and windows closed. Do not speak to them if they knock on your door and beware of their standard tricks, such as asking you if they can come in and use your toilet! You should also write to their head office and explain that you are a vulnerable person and that, therefore, according to the rules they should hand the case back to the council. MAKE ALL FUTURE PAYMENTS to the council. Only pay them in instalments that you can afford.They have no right to refuse payment. You can speak to your council office about this, but if they turn nasty carry on making the payments anyway. You should also explain to the council that you are a vulnerable person (i.e. you are pregnant, have no work and very little money).

 

4. Also, if the council's jobsworths are unhelpful, contact your local councillor and explain your position to him or her.

 

5. Please remember that bailiffs depend on BLUFF AND BLUSTER. They habitually tell lies and pretend to have powers that they do not have. They most definitely cannot send you to prison, although this is one of their favourite lies. Nor, if you have never granted them access, can they break in to your home (unless they find an open door or window). They can take your car - if they can find it- but once they know you are a vulnerable person they should return the case to the council.

 

STAY STRONG and remember that the BAILIFFS ARE PAPER TIGERS and that the best people for you to deal with are the council.

[FairPlay77]

£24.50 FP, he's only visited once.

 

I know I know I'm being picky....

 

And it was a better post than mine

 

YOU'RE right about the £24.50 As he's only been once, she only owes £24.50 (the £18 only applies if he makes another visit). HOWEVER, as it appears he has tried to cheat her big time, she should respond by not paying him anything and only deal with the council, and there's sod all he can do about it!