equita marstons

[nchoughton]

hi all hope this in right area

 

in july i was accepted for a dro all creditors were added including equita

 

i am still recieving hand posted letters from them i have yet to speak to them but should i phone or ring them and make them aware of the dro? the coucil also say they havnt recived confirmation of the dro again do i post them a copy of the dro and are equita able to demand money or seize goods as i am under the dro and that debt has been added to it.

 

marstons are collection a tv license debt i never knew i had from 2009

 

i was caught watching tv with no license i admit that but belive i had a valid reason my post and upstairs always got messed up he always brought mine down and vice versa but he died so i never knew i had missed d/d and that tv license people were chasing me i explained this to the guy who caught me

 

Any way recived a letter saying no further action would be taken if i got a new tv license i wrote back saying i was moving back in with my dad and gave them new address never heard any thing again

 

i got the dro in july and now live with my girlfriend and since getting the dro i got a hand deliverd letter from marstons saying they were collecting the debt ,phoned baillif explained that i never knew about it and wanted to set up a payment plan an he said no full balance only so phoned marstons and they said speak to bailliff.

 

i then wrote a letter saying i have a dro so dont have much disposible income and i would pay £60 per month at £15 per week and if i can afford more i will pay more and i have payed that amount online on there website i have kept records at the payment refrence each time for my records i have got a reply saying

 

That the warrent/liabilty orer is with the bailiff so speak to him i work away from home and my girlfriend has a 3 year old son and they have been staying at her mums since as the bailliff has returned and just knocks and knocks on the door we also have a buzzer entry system and he has spent about 15mins with his finger on the buzzer so for less hassel she gone there ,

 

the bailliff wont accept a payment plan and seems a bit too harressing so i dont want to speak to him what can i do

 

sorry its a long winded post but wanted to get every thing in so some one can help me and know every thing thanks

 

neil

[dx100uk]

what did you get fined?

 

dx

[nchoughton]

Think it was 150 and now they want 525

[nchoughton]

Also like to add that after today I have paid off 60 and from what I understand if I knew about it prior to the dro I wouldnt have been able to add it as its a court fine so its not a case of not wanting to pay its just that I cant pay that off in one payment,

 

Should I also ask for a copy of the warrent/liability order and as I am making payments if it gets returned to court is that in my favour as im making a effort to make a arrangment

[ploddertom]

Have a read of this in relation to your fine

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?165753-MAGISTRATE-COURT-FINES.-Template-of-a-Statutory-Declaration.

 

For the Council Tax issue send a copy of the DRO to the Council, better still take it in person or if you have to post use a trackable means.

 

PT

[nchoughton]

Hi ploddertom I have read that thread before and was thinking of that route but it does say about within 21 days and like I said £60 has been paid so far.

 

Also was thinking of doing what you said re council tax so that is my next task,

 

When you say traceble means is it best for recorded delivery or special delivery and just to be sure the is nothing equita can do is there as like in my original post my gf is scared that all her things will be taken as she does not have reciepts for most things as they were given to her as prior to me moving in she was a single parent on benefits

[ploddertom]

Sorry i was underthe impression you were paying CT. There is nothing wrong with you contacting the Court as it is only now you have been made aware that you could swear a Stat Dec for not having known about the fine, particularly as the Bailiff did not give you any choices. They can only turn you down.

 

PT

[ploddertom]

 

When you say traceble means is it best for recorded delivery - yes - or special delivery and just to be sure the is nothing equita can do is there as like in my original post my gf is scared that all her things will be taken as she does not have reciepts for most things as they were given to her as prior to me moving in she was a single parent on benefits

 

To seize goods they first have to effect an entry by peaceful means. As the debt was yours before you met they cannot seize any of her goods. I assume the Bailiff has not made a levy so far, if so there is nothing to stop selling all your possessions to another person. I also assume as you moved in with her then you will have taken very little except your clothes anyway, if not then the previous sentence applies.

 

PT

[king100]

With the tv license go to court and sign a stat dec, exactly what I did. Tv insp came round an I was watching tv, I said was waiting for payment card, as I had advised tv licence to send me one, whilst they did that he turned up. He wrote stuff down I agreed an signed it. Nothing for 6 month whilst I lived there, paid tl. Moved and then received a bailiff letter wanting some stupid figure as I had been taken to court. Went to see local court signed swore stat dec infornt of judge, and that was 4 years ago, haven't heard anythin since.

[nchoughton]

With the tv license go to court and sign a stat dec, exactly what I did. Tv insp came round an I was watching tv, I said was waiting for payment card, as I had advised tv licence to send me one, whilst they did that he turned up. He wrote stuff down f1 I agreed an signed it. Nothing for 6 month whilst I lived there, paid tl. Moved and then received a bailiff letter wanting some stupid figure as I had been taken to court. Went to see local court signed swore stat dec infornt of judge, and that was 4 years ago, haven't heard anythin since.

 

Hi I have written to courts at same time I wrote to marstons and have not yet recieved a reply both sent recorded is it worth going in personally?

 

No they havnt as yet done a levy as we wont speak to them at the door or will answer the door to them and your correct I only took my clothes with me as its all I have as I have always lived at my parents except for the year I moved into a house as I was forced out by my dads ex wife and 1st 6months was in a furnished house and 2nd 6months was at a unfurnished flat but I had a borrowed tv bed and sofa, kitchen apliences were included in the flat she does not have reciepts for her belongings as like myself she has used things handed down and the only things they can take are her tv and laptop and tumble dryer but are they allowed to take that as we live in 1st floor flat with no garden so its only means of drying clothes

[nchoughton]

Just an update found a email address so I have emailed marstons and im waiting for customer care to get back to me but so far they have been quite helpfull, also made a complaint against the bailiff for his harassing way of trying to gain entry

[nchoughton]

Another update after sending sevral emails a formal complaint about the bailiff i have come to a arrangement with marstons i arranged to pay £230 between now and 23rd of oct and £230 on the 23rd of oct.

 

Its more than i wanted but it coincides with a bit of extra work and would have liked a bit of extra money but i guess paying them is more important.

 

On another note i owe bt £600 ish and the debt is still with them would it be easier to negioate payment plan asap before it goes to dca?

 

Thanks neil