Reasonable Costs??

[Ledburyrfc]

I am having a real battle with Bristow and Sutor over a charge of £230 for attendance with a van. They say that the charge was £130 because of the level of debt (£1,300) and one hour at £100 per hour for the bailiff. I don't understand how a "Reasonable Cost" can take into account the amount of debt since this would not have any affect on the costs incurred...

 

any advice?

[hallowitch]

what is the debt for

have they levied goods

what goods have they levied

was the van/attendance fee charged the same day as the levy fee

[Ledburyrfc]

The debt is for council tax. They have not taken anything from the premises but they have been inside the house several months ago and made a note of what they could take.

[hallowitch]

The debt is for council tax. They have not taken anything from the premises but they have been inside the house several months ago and made a note of what they could take.

 

what goods did they levy

this would be on the notice of seizure of goods and inventory that they left you when they were in your house

 

do you have this (They say that the charge was £130 because of the level of debt (£1,300) and one hour at £100 per hour for the bailiff)in writing from Bristow and Sutor

[Ledburyrfc]

Tv, furniture etc. All of this seems to be above board.

 

Below is an extract from aa B & S e-mail:

 

We thought we'd explained in our email of 16th March about the principles that are taken into account in deciding a van fee. We do note however we did not mention amounts so we add some more detail here.

 

The bailiffs are given simple rules to arrive at what we consider a reasonable fee and for a Council Tax debt of this size, the bailiff would have charged £130 when he was first there and then £50 for each half hour of part thereof. This is why the total figure is not divisible by £50. What we have offered is to credit the £50 for the part of the second half hour.

 

thanks for your help..

[ploddertom]

Tv, furniture etc. All of this seems to be above board.

 

Can you tell us exactly what was on it as certain items of furniture etc are exempt from seizure?

 

Below is an extract from aa B & S e-mail:

 

We thought we'd explained in our email of 16th March about the principles that are taken into account in deciding a van fee. We do note however we did not mention amounts so we add some more detail here.

 

The bailiffs are given simple rules to arrive at what we consider a reasonable fee and for a Council Tax debt of this size, the bailiff would have charged £130 when he was first there and then £50 for each half hour of part thereof. This is why the total figure is not divisible by £50. What we have offered is to credit the £50 for the part of the second half hour.

 

The dreaded waiting fee again - not allowed

 

thanks for your help..

 

You need to send off for a breakdown of the charges they have applied - use this, adapt for your own needs and send by email & Signed For letter:

 

"From:

My Name

My Address

 

To:

Acme bailiff Co

bailiff House

 

Ref: Account No: 123456

 

Dear Sir

 

With reference to the above account. Can you please provide me with a Breakdown of the charges including Computer Screenshot.

 

This includes:

a - the time & date of any Bailiff action that incurred a Fee.

b - the reason for the fee.

c - the name(s) of the Bailiff(s) that attended on each occasion a Fee was charged.

d - the name(s) of the Court(s) the Bailiff(s) was/were Certificated at.

e - the date of the Certification.

 

This is not a Subject access request under the Data Protection Act S7 1998 so does not incur a fee of £10. You are obliged to provide this information.

A Copy of this e-mail /letter will also be sent to xxx council to be put on record

I require this information within 14 days.

 

Yours faithfully

 

Ripped off customer"

 

PT