Help! £700 baliff charges & 24 hours to pay!!! URGENT

[nj484]

Had a note through my door saying I had 24 hours to pay £700 council tax debt - total to pay £1395!!!!! OMG what do I do. I can't afford to pay - but how can they add this debt and how do I stop them calling again. I am classed as a vulnerable person and this is making me really ill and I am in a major panic!!

[ploddertom]

Did you know the Council were going for a Liability Order? ASAP in the morning ring the Council and ask how much the Liability Order is for, also ask how much is still outstanding and what period of time it covers. In the meantime may I ask what makes you "vulnerable".

 

Remember the letter has already had the desired effect, also remember there is no law that says you have to speak to or deal with a Bailiff, essentially they have no powers if you keep them at bay. I don't doubt the letter may also tell you he will remove your goods even in your absence. He tells a good story and his letters should start "once upon a time.......", his surname is really Blyton.

 

DEALING WITH BAILIFFS ON YOUR DOORSTEP

1. ALWAYS! Keep your door LOCKED SHUT at all times. NEVER open the door to a bailiff - speak to him through a window or the letterbox

2. ALWAYS! Hide your car - in the garage or park it well away

3. ALWAYS! Take photographs of the bailiff and his vehicle, even better use a camcorder and video-record EVERYTHING

4. ALWAYS! Speak as LITTLE AS POSSIBLE and let the bailiff do the talking

5. ALWAYS! Ask for his bailiff's certificate number

6. ALWAYS! Ask which court issued his certificate

7. ALWAYS! Ask for a full breakdown of his fees IN WRITING

8. ALWAYS! Ask who the creditor is (if you don't know)

9. ALWAYS! Pay using a credit card, avoid cash and debit cards if possible

10. ALWAYS! If you have grounds, get an appeal lodged immediately (parking tickets) - it stops enforcement

 

1. NEVER! Sign any documents handed to you by a bailiff

2. NEVER! Phone a bailiff (unless asking him which Court issued his certificate)

3. NEVER! Admit any debt

4. NEVER! Say or "confirm" your name address or date of birth

 

this is very good advice originally posted by Happy Contrails

 

PT

[MARTIN3030]

I see you are not a new Cagger,so will have had a read through the forums.

Just need some info.

When was the liability order ?

Have you had any dealings with Council over this ?

Is this first involvement with bailiff ?

What have they left you by way of paperwork ?

Whats your situation as regards vulnerability ?

 

Can you give the name of the Bailiff firm (but not any individuals)

[MARTIN3030]

Sorry [PT-posts crossed.

[ploddertom]

No problem Martin, I'm on a roll at the moment and have my Bailiff eating hat on - must be the time of year or the Strongbow.

 

PT

[nj484]

Hi,

 

I have no recollection of a liabilty order I believe it may have been in 2009 when I was seriously ill with mental health issues. I have attempted to contact the council and offer reasonable payment (which is affordable of £50 per month) and they would not accept it they wanted £250 per month - which I just can not afford. They have been absolutely awful! Both my hubby and myself have disabilities and I have a serious medical condition which I had to have part of my bowel removed recently. I sent proof the the council and they have just ignored this I also sent proof of my husbands condition. Are we classed as vulnerable??? I have really tried to pay but they won't let me set up a standing order nor will accept payments I can afford. I feel so scared that they will come round tomorrow when I am at a hospital check up and my young son comes home from school! Please advise!!

[ploddertom]

Have a read of this:

 

http://www.dca.gov.uk/enforcement/agents02.htm#part10

 

All Enforcement companies are signed up to this but most choose to ignore it unless pointed out to them. I believe that you should be classed as "vulnerable" but you need to provide proof - rather than just saying it in a letter. The way forward with this is to obtain a letter from your Doctor outlining your condition - better still what effect it may have on your MH issues, sorry if I seem to playing on your condition. Copies of both should be sent to both Council and Bailiff when available - to start with you should send them both an email outlining the facts and tell them proof will follow in due course.

 

If the Council are messing you around it may be because you are dealing with those at the bottom of the trough, if dissatisfied escalate up the tree - a good starting point is the Chief Executive, tell him why you are contacting him and as you are complaining mark the envelope and letter as "Formal Complaint". Whilst on the subject of the Council also enlist the help of your local Councillor, they have direct access to those that can fix or overturn things.

 

If you are on Benefits at all there is a possibility that the Council could get an Attachment meaning you would pay at source, usually approx £3-25 pr week. Not wanting to pry but would it be worth your while trying a Welfare Rights Adviser to see if you are entitled to anything else.

 

PT

[seanamarts]

May I also suggest you contact your local councillor or MP, one or both will write and get involved on your behalf, you are definitely vulnerable and the council should take back this debt. It is possible that you have been corresponding to the debt recovery department and I know for sure they never have all the details, call some one from the benefits and revenues department and ask to speak to the manager. Are either of you getting any benefits at the present.