Rossendales

[ploddertom]

What they can charge is set out by the Regulations which govern Council Tax. The bailiff will attend your home with the intention to levy distress on your goods, where he cannot elicit an answer at the door or make a levy on goods he may charge £24-50 for the 1st Visit and if the same happens on a 2nd Visit the charge is £18-00. No matter how many times he visits after that he can charge no more. However if he gains access to your home or levies on goods outside - most notably a car - then the game changes and the fees increase dramatically. No matter what happens or what he say do NOT under any circumstances allow him entry to your home.

 

There is no law that says you have to deal with or speak to a Bailiff. If it were me I would pay the Council direct via online banking, Council website or automated phone and budget extra for lawful Bailiff fees.

[ploddertom]

Do you know exactly how much you owe - do not believe the Bailiff's figures. You need to speak to someone at the Council and ask the following questions:

1 - how many Liability Orders they have against you

2 - the dates they were obtained

3 - the addresses they were for

4 - the period of time each covers

5 - how much each one was for

6 - how much is still outstanding

7 - the dates they were passed on for enforcement

8 - the dates & amounts of any payments

[ploddertom]

I don't doubt the Bailiff is over egging the basket when it comes to his fees, hoping you will pay for an extra large turkey. You should send off for breakdown of his fees. Best done initially by email followed by a copy in the post - you could always pop a Crimbo card in it! here's an example of what to put, use and adapt at will.

 

"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.

 

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.

 

I require this information within 14 days.

 

Yours faithfully

 

Ripped off customer"

[ploddertom]

Thanks for the info. It just seems wrong that they have gone to this extreme for the sake of 3 days. Unfortunately this is how they operate. What happens when I send them the letter do they have to leave me alone. Unfortunately not. Can I refuse to pay them and pay the council instead - yes you can - or will the coucil refuse my payment. If you have the Council's banking details from your CT bill it cannot be refused. or if you have a payment card, you may even pay in cash at the Council only this time if met by refusal you politely ask for the name & position of that person as it will form the basis of a complaint against the Council. The only car in my drive is registered to my son, so I guess they cannot use that and it is still under finance. They will no doubt try so be prepared for this, it is a reasonably simple matter to sort it out afterwards. THere is no way that I would let them in anyway, I will take my rather large German Shepherd to the door with me, - better off just letting him bark otherwise they may try to argue whether the dog is out of control, better still do you have a notice you can put up which says "I live here" or similar, that then puts them on notice there is a dog on the premises. he don't like strangers lol.

 

PT

[ploddertom]

Thanks PT.

 

If I pay the council direct, will the muppets from Rossendales keep turning up at my house and adding extra monies? They can turn up as many times as they like but providing you deny them access or prevent a levy on goods outside they can charge no more - I don't doubt they will try adding extra fees if they can. Do I inform Rossedales that I am no longer going to pay them? Personally I would tell them diddly squat, if they want to waste their time & money turning up then that is their problem, if you pay the Council they will inform Rossendales monies have been paid.

 

WD

 

PT

[ploddertom]

Rossendales have also added 24.50 for the first visit and 18.00 for today.

 

I seem to recall I read somewhere that they cannot even charge me this as I was not in on both occassions

 

Doesn't matter whether you are in or not unfortunately.

 

I would concur with what others have said about dealing with them. Providing you deny them access to your home or prevent a levy on goods outside they remain powerless and will eventually move on when they find they are getting nowhere.