Bailiff for c.tax

[RaeUK]

I - and many others - will be watching to see what transpires...

Best wishes

Rae.

[beyondhope]

Thanks Rae will be calling them to make payment tomorrow so will keep you informed

[beyondhope]

Had a call this afternoon, apparently as its not a means tested debt being vulnerable doesnt come into it and to continue to pay £10 a wk, which I did whilst he was on the phone to save my phone bill still no response to the difference in balance though.

[impecunious]

Was it the bailiff who said it wasn't means tested??

 

I have negotiated with my ex-Council CT Dept to pay £12.50/month - after the account had been with the bailiffs for over 18 months. I stuck to my guns, £12.50 was ALL I could realistically afford and sustain and I didn't have to provide them with an Income and Expenditure sheet.

 

I was originally told that £12.50 was "unacceptable" and that it was less than the monthly payment expected from those on benefits. However, after negotations further and further up the Council's food-chain, my monthly repayment was accepted and payments start next week. The o/s CT bill is over £1,000. MYCT arrears are going to take over 6 yrs to pay back.

 

I never listened to the bailiffs.

 

 

Impecunious!

[beyondhope]

Was it the bailiff who said it wasn't means tested??

 

I have negotiated with my ex-Council CT Dept to pay £12.50/month - after the account had been with the bailiffs for over 18 months. I stuck to my guns, £12.50 was ALL I could realistically afford and sustain and I didn't have to provide them with an Income and Expenditure sheet.

 

I was originally told that £12.50 was "unacceptable" and that it was less than the monthly payment expected from those on benefits. However, after negotations further and further up the Council's food-chain, my monthly repayment was accepted and payments start next week. The o/s CT bill is over £1,000. MYCT arrears are going to take over 6 yrs to pay back.

 

I never listened to the bailiffs.

 

 

Impecunious!

 

Hi impecunious,

Yes it was the bailiff I would even go as far as to say it was the very one that visited here as his voice sounded familiar but as I cant read the squiggle and he didnt give a name on the phone I cant be certain. He said as it wasnt means tested the court has ordered for the full balance to be collected but we made an agreement that I have stuck to and so the need to take goods away hasnt arisen and as a reminder I have to continue to pay £10 a wk until back in employment when it will be £100 a month again. he also asked if either of us was actively seeking work

nooo I thought we would just sit on our butts for the rest of our lives No mention of the other letter I sent querying the balance though and as I was trying to watch the children in the park I didnt really want to get into a full on discussion at that time so I will see what comes from that in the next few days.

Any advice greatly appreciated as its £40 a month we could really do with at the moment with no income and 3 little people to feed

[impecunious]

OOps - sorry - misread your posting. Am at work and trying to juggle too many balls.

 

All I can say is, it's not too late to get good advice on how to progress this.

 

If you're unemployed, then I believe the bailiffs have to return the account to the Council and then they will deduct small amount from your benefits each week.

 

Hang on in there - there's bound to be more advice soon.

 

 

Impecunious!

 

PS STOP TALKING TO THE BAILIFFS

Edited April 7, 2010 by impecunious

[beyondhope]

I only ever call to make payment by debit card as it would appear they have a very strange calculator! at least I have traceability that way. When I wrote requesting lowered payments when hubby became unemployed I requested confirmation in writing - they called, when i sent the letter rae posted - they called, they dont seem to grasp replying in writing I did keep a note of the call though and will put a note in with my copy of the letter. Not having had to deal with them before I have no idea how to fight them so to speak so all help and advice most appreciated

[beyondhope]

OOps - sorry - misread your posting. Am at work and trying to juggle too many balls.

 

All I can say is, it's not too late to get good advice on how to progress this.

 

If you're unemployed, then I believe the bailiffs have to return the account to the Council and then they will deduct small amount from your benefits each week.

 

Hang on in there - there's bound to be more advice soon.

 

 

Impecunious!

 

PS STOP TALKING TO THE BAILIFFS

 

Thanks very much watch you dont drop those balls

 

That was the advice already given and what was outlined in the letter they were verbally responding to Is it maybe worth mentioning it to the council tax dept as I have a query with them anyway regarding this years They have been given a copy of the same letter anyway

[impecunious]

I'm juggling balls whilst trying to fundraise for my charity! Precarious!!

 

Hope you find a solution to your problem. In my case, I just had to be patient and keep plugging away at it - eventually, I got my own way and now have realistic and sustainable repayments.

 

The support and knowledge I gleaned from CAG helped no end! At the end of the day, you're a "can't pay for now" not a "won't pay", so if you try to keep things in perspective, it's not so daunting.

 

Impecunious!

[pompeyfaith]

they dont seem to grasp replying in writing

 

Common practice with all Lenders, DCA's, Bailiffs etc as they do not want to leave a paper trail.

 

PF

[RaeUK]

Had a call this afternoon, apparently as its not a means tested debt being vulnerable doesnt come into it and to continue to pay £10 a wk, which I did whilst he was on the phone to save my phone bill still no response to the difference in balance though.

 

What a load of absolute rubbish! I assume that, in B & S Bailiffs, the B stands for Bull ...

 

Ok, we'll take that as their response. I'll be back in a mo with a template for the council which you may or may not wish to use. Let's see what the council says to a request to take it back for an attachment to benefits...

 

Best wishes

Rae.

[RaeUK]

Hi,

 

In all laziness, I haven't trawled back through the thread before writing the following letter as is my usual practice. I have drawn assumptions on your benefits statement from logical probabaility! Do feel free to use, amend, ignore as you wish.

Please note that I haven't mentioned the bailiffs bizarre response to your letter to them. You have asked the bailiffs to send this back due to your circumstances. You are now asking the head of Revenues to do likewise and use an attachment to benefits [usually about £3.50 per week]. They will either say yes. Or no. If the latter, then is the time for the Formal Complaint including both the bailiffs reaction and the Revenues department stance. Just my view...

 

........................

 

[Your name and address]

 

[Name, if known]

Head of Revenues

[Council name and address]

 

 

Sir,

 

Ref: [Council Tax reference].

 

As you may be aware, my husband and I have been unemployed since [date] and [date] respectively. Your records will show that we currently receive Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Job Seekers Allowance.

 

Since [date] I have been paying your collection agents – B & S Bailiffs – a set weekly sum against currently outstanding Council Tax arrears. Unfortunately, this is becoming increasingly difficult due to our financial circumstances. I am sure you will appreciate the increased stress and tension that unemployment can cause to household finances.

 

Rather than fall into further difficulties with your collecting agent, I request that this debt is taken back to the Council for the administration of an Attachment To Benefits order. This will allow us to repay this debt with dignity in an affordable and sustainable manner without the fear of default.

 

It is appreciated that you have the ability to do this on two counts. Firstly, B & S Bailiffs are operating as your agents therefore the Council remains in overall charge and responsibility. Secondly, the National Standards for Enforcement Agents categorise the unemployed as vulnerable. I am sure you will understand that this is in order to minimise the stress that such a situation causes.

 

Thank-you for considering this request and I look forward to your response.

 

Yours Sincerely

 

 

...............................................

 

 

Email to the Revenues Department [optional], hard copy to Head of Revenues by signed for.

Continue to pay as usual if possible in the meanwhile. You may need to allow up to 14 days for a response.

 

 

Best wishes

Rae.

Edited April 7, 2010 by RaeUK

[beyondhope]

Thank you once again rae I will print this tonight and send in the morning.

 

The bailiff was obviously clutching at straws anyway as he was quite hesitant in what he was saying and umming and arring and completely thrown when I said can you take this weeks payment now to save a call when I get home

[RaeUK]

I have to confess, beyondhope, it was one of the best reponses I've seen. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Best wishes

Rae.

[beyondhope]

I cant repeat on here without a visit from cagbot what hubby said the inside of their office is like you would think outward appearance would show their professionalism......or not

[RaeUK]

Next time, can hubby get a photo to post up

Rae

[beyondhope]

LOL may be abit obvious but if you want a mental pic.....

 

6ft x 6ft to stand in everything boarded off and perspex screens

[seanamarts]

by chance have you asked for this bailiffs name, I would like to see if he is certificated with the company that he is working for, especially if they are running out of a shed lol, by your descriptions.. They also seem to be a bit behind the times with their fee system too.

Will dig around to see if I can find something on the wonder web;)

[beyondhope]

Hi Sean no I havent I do recall him telling me his name on the first vissit but dont remember it.

Its actually a shop on the main road but everything is so boxed off its ridiculous! Anyone would think it was for their protection because they upset people

[hallowitch]

We signed an agreement with bailiff after council wouldnt help with reduced payments whilst hubby wasnt working......Signed 30/09/09

can i ask if the only agreement you signed is the notice of distress and inventory

[seanamarts]

Hi Sean no I havent I do recall him telling me his name on the first vissit but dont remember it.

Its actually a shop on the main road but everything is so boxed off its ridiculous! Anyone would think it was for their protection because they upset people

they are a very small company, in fact took some time trying to find them as they dont seem to be listed very well, but I found them eventually I know what the 'S' stands for after the 'B' now and it isnt s**t as in bull

Have a look here and see if you recognise any names

Certificated Bailiff

I am presuming that its Mr Stone who is the director as the company is registered in that name.

Edited April 8, 2010 by seanamarts

[beyondhope]

We signed an agreement with bailiff after council wouldnt help with reduced payments whilst hubby wasnt working......Signed 30/09/09

 

 

can i ask if the only agreement you signed is the notice of distress and inventory

 

 

 

 

Yes I have only signed the sheet shown

[beyondhope]

they are a very small company, in fact took some time trying to find them as they dont seem to be listed very well, but I found them eventually I know what the 'S' stands for after the 'B' now and it isnt s**t as in bull

Have a look here and see if you recognise any names

Certificated Bailiff

I am presuming that its Mr Stone who is the director as the company is registered in that name.

 

Yes they are small but seem to work for the local authorities in the surrounding areas as there are 3, i did wonder if the BS was as described Bull s**t

Ive had a look and cant specifically remember

[seanamarts]

Yes they are small but seem to work for the local authorities in the surrounding areas as there are 3, i did wonder if the BS was as described Bull s**t

Ive had a look and cant specifically remember

Paperwork should have his name on it

[beyondhope]

only an unreadable squiggle