Removal notice from Jacobs. CTAX

[winston73]

Hello.

 

I received a removal notice today from Jacobs enforcement,the amount is for around £600.

 

This is the first instance I have had dealings with them. The notice says REMOVAL balance due: and Payment in full immediately.

 

This letter was hand delivered.

 

Now I have not paid the council tax since around the middle of May and prior to that I was about £125 behind in payments.

 

I have had a look, briefly around the forum and other removal notices seem to have a deadline for e.g. 24 hours or 7 days etc.

 

The one that I received today just says removal and without a timeline.

 

Like I mentioned this is the first contact I have had with Jacobs. Is this notice Valid without a timeline ? I've not been in this situation for a long time so I'm a bit sketchy on this issue.

 

Do I contact Jacobs to sort this out or the council ?

 

As I side note I'm totally skint until the end of august as I've been of work with sickness ( back in tonight ).

 

Any help/pointers would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[dx100uk]

have you had a notice of enforcement yet

[renegadeimp]

They cant remove yet, so dont worry. Its just false threats from the bailiff to scare you into paying. And government/councils turn a blind eye to it.

[winston73]

Thanks for a quick reply.

 

Not prescribed notice - so its basically a threat-o-gram ?

 

As with the car I k ow what precautions to take.

 

As its council tax it needs to be paid via some sort of payment plan. Is it with the council or Jacobs ?

 

BTW I'm in full time employment.

[winston73]

have you had a notice of enforcement yet

 

I'm not sure about that. The last letter from the council was a red one, back in May I think ( I don't think I have this anymore as I have had a look around the house today) .

 

And the only contact with Jacobs was today's notice.

[Bailiff Advice]

Thanks for a quick reply.

 

Not prescribed notice - so its basically a threat-o-gram ?

 

As with the car I k ow what precautions to take.

 

As its council tax it needs to be paid via some sort of payment plan. Is it with the council or Jacobs ?

 

BTW I'm in full time employment.

 

The council have passed your account to their agent (Jacobs) and it is to them that any payment arrangement should be made. As the debt has escalated to the 'enforcement' stage, you should expect opposition from the individual enforcement agent named on the 'removal notice to any payment proposal.

 

If it is the case that a vehicle is identified, the agent would be more inclined to threaten its removal. If you have read the forum concerning council tax enforcement, you will I'm sure be aware that the agent cannot force entry into your property.

[winston73]

I've been on the sick for the last 3 weeks and I'm back in work tonight.

 

 

 

 

I have found out ( payday today ) that I have only received SSP .

it really has stuffed me up big time that today I had to borrow money from one of the wonga type companies so my rent, car insurance and belated car tax could be paid today.

 

I have been in this property about 1 year and when I registered with the council I told them that there was myself and my daughter living at this address.

 

 

I told them that my daughter doesn't work and at the time was receiving benefits although that was stopped several months ago she still has no employment.

 

 

I have paid the full amount since I've moved in.

 

I'm I eligible for a discount ?

If so can this be clawed back from the date I moved in and off set with the debt I have now?

 

Apologies if I miss out on certain things I'm in a million places right now I can't think properly.

 

 

I meant to add that a single occupancy you can get a reduction is this the case with someone with you who is unemployed ?

[winston73]

Yes I know about forced entry I was wanting to know was was meant by non prescribed notice.

 

You likely won't be entitled to a discount if a second adult resides there.

 

You might be able to backdate a claim for the 3 weeks that you were sick, if your daughter was on benefits

 

Thanks. I don't think I will get any reduction then.

[Bailiff Advice]

Yes I know about forced entry I was wanting to know was was meant by non prescribed notice.

 

When the enforcement regulations were overhauled in 2014, the government introduced statutory notices that must be used by the enforcement company. The regulations did not provide a specific notice to advise that a visit had been made. Accordingly, any notice left is are merely for advisory purposes only.

[winston73]

What do you mean by 'opposition from the individual enforcement agent named on the notice ? I'm confused, I take it that any payments should be made to Jacobs and as it's their agent why would there be any opposition.?

 

Sorry if I'm not reading this right..

 

The council have passed your account to their agent (Jacobs) and it is to them that any payment arrangement should be made. As the debt has escalated to the 'enforcement' stage, you should expect opposition from the individual enforcement agent named on the 'removal notice to any payment proposal.

 

If it is the case that a vehicle is identified, the agent would be more inclined to threaten its removal. If you have read the forum concerning council tax enforcement, you will I'm sure be aware that the agent cannot force entry into your property.

 

As

[Bailiff Advice]

What do you mean by 'opposition from the individual enforcement agent named on the notice ? I'm confused, I take it that any payments should be made to Jacobs and as it's their agent why would there be any opposition.?

 

Sorry if I'm not reading this right..

 

The 'Removal Notice' would normally have the name of the individual enforcement agent that is managing your account. If so, if you were to call Jacobs to enquire about a payment arrangement, they would refer you back to the agent himself.

 

By 'opposition', I mean that as the account is currently at 'enforcement stage' the enforcement agent would be looking to recover full payment from you as opposed to accepting a paying proposal.

[Bailiff Advice]

I've been on the sick for the last 3 weeks and I'm back in work tonight. I have found out ( payday today ) that I have only received SSP . it really has stuffed me up big time that today I had to borrow money from one of the wonga type companies so my rent, car insurance and belated car tax could be paid today.

 

When speaking with either the enforcement agent or Jacobs Ltd, please ensure that you outline the difficulties that you have recently faced. I have always found Jacobs Ltd to be one of the better comapnies to recognise hardship and vulnerability. Please post back once you have made contact.

[winston73]

Ah I see. Thanks.

I've quickly glanced at some of the stickies at the top of the forum with regards to payment.

It seems that I have to deal with Jacobs directly for a payment plan,

 

I obviously need to fill in some kind of means form to fill in my income/ expenditure etc. So what's the best way of doing this, email, phone or letter?

 

I see that payment plans are for 3/6 months.

This will be a struggle.

Can these plans be extended?

 

Also when will a payment plan start.

I have absolutely no money for anyone for at least 4 weeks.!!

[Bailiff Advice]

Ah I see. Thanks. I've quickly glanced at some of the stickies at the top of the forum with regards to payment. It seems that I have to deal with Jacobs directly for a payment plan, I obviously need to fill in some kind of means form to fill in my income/ expenditure etc. So what's the best way of doing this, email, phone or letter?

 

I see that payment plans are for 3/6 months. This will be a struggle. Can these plans be extended?

 

The 'Sticky' that you are referring to is applicable in cases where a payment arrangement is made on receipt of the initial letter from Jacobs Ltd called a Notice of Enforcement. I notice that you have mentioned that you cannot locate that particular notice. You may wish to mention this to Jacobs but expect to be told that the notice had been sent.

 

As you had not set up a payment arrangement within the 'compliance' period (the 'cut off' date given on the Notice of Enforcement), it is much more diffucult to secure a payment arrangement. As I said earlier, if there are no visible assets (normally a motor vehicle) that can be seized, the agent would be more willing to accept an arrangement.

 

When speaking with the company (or the agent) you should outline when your payment arrangement can commence.

[winston73]

I have no assets in the house other than clothes, beds and the settee.

Everything else belongs to my daughter.

 

 

I/we have sold most things with value over the last several months to cover previous expense, rent,outstanding gas/water bills etc.

 

The amount owed to Jacobs is just under £600, no way I can pay that amount in full.

They will have to settle for a payment plan.

This can't be refused can it?

[Bailiff Advice]

The amount owed to Jacobs is just under £600, no way I can pay that amount in full. They will have to settle for a payment plan.

 

This can't be refused can it?

 

Unless you are considering allowing the enforcement agent into your property (which is not to be recommended in your particular case) then please forget about the goods (or lack of) within your property.

 

Concentrate instead on getting in touch with Jacobs or the enforcement agent and explaining your circumstances.

[winston73]

OK I will have to sort this out tomorrow as I'm about to set off for work

I will post tomorrow for an update.

 

In the meantime if anyone has any pointers as to what to say or what I should be weary about when they give me the talk , would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[winston73]

Hello.

 

I've just been on the .Gov site regarding bailiffs and it says something about some bailiffs can be exempt from being certified or to that effect. Anyway I've had a search and can't find any info on what reason a bailiff would be exempt.

The reason I'm looking for this is I can't find the agents name on the bailiffs register.

Could this agent be exempt ?

 

Also when they came to the door they asked if it was OK to record with their camera, which I thought unusual as I would imagine they would of liked filming everything with or without your permission anyway. Just thought I'd mention it..

As a note there was on!y One bailiff, I know it reads as if it was Two.

 

Thanks.

 

http://www.civea.co.uk/news/certificated-bailiffs-online-register/

 

What the hell is this all about!!

[dx100uk]

Concentrate instead on getting in touch with Jacobs or the enforcement agent and explaining your circumstances.

 

 

forget what you've posted - essentially irrelevant..

BA's advice is your way fwd

 

 

dx

[Bailiff Advice]

Hello.

 

I've just been on the .Gov site regarding bailiffs and it says something about some bailiffs can be exempt from being certified or to that effect. Anyway I've had a search and can't find any info on what reason a bailiff would be exempt.

 

The reason I'm looking for this is I can't find the agents name on the bailiffs register. Could this agent be exempt ?

 

Also when they came to the door they asked if it was OK to record with their camera, which I thought unusual as I would imagine they would of liked filming everything with or without your permission anyway. Just thought I'd mention it..http://www.civea.co.uk/news/certificated-bailiffs-online-register/

 

What the hell is this all about!!

 

Just the clarify, an enforcement agent enforcing council tax arrears must hold a certificate.

 

Second point, the online Bailiff Register has had problems for many years but that said, it is far more accurate than it has been in the past. The problem that arises it that individuals searching for a name need to realise that the register is case sensitive so you must enter the precise surname (which can be a major problem with foreign names!!).

 

Personally, I rarely find that a bailiff is missing on the register and this is because; if the initial search comes back as negative, I use the search 'all' facility (longwinded maybe but it gets the results and works for me).

 

Almost every bailiff uses BWV (Body Worn Video). It greatly assists in cases where there may be a complaint made to the enforcement company. I'm pleased to hear that the enforcement agent sought your permission. It's certainly good practice.

 

Have you spoken to the enforcement agent yet to seek a way of resolving your enquiry?

 

PS: Enforcement companies value the contract that they hold from their relevant local authority client. They would have had to undergone an extensive tendering exercise and most contracts when awarded, last for up to 5 years (and in rare cases even more). An enforcement company would not want to risk that contract by sending an un-certificated agent to a debtors address to take control of their goods. It is simply not worth the risk.

[winston73]

Well that didn't go well. I rang their office and spoke to someone about setting up a payment plan, I explained the situation and he was unhelpful and they said i have to contact their agent. I rang the agent and basically talked to me as though I was a piece of s***. I explained that I wanted to set up a payment plan, I even put out that I would pay above £50 a month and they refused...

They keep saying that I've received 3 letters and have had plenty of warning but that is not the case. I have only received a letter yesterday and now one today with £110 added on.

 

Now what? Where do I go from here...

[Bailiff Advice]

What sort of payment proposal were you wanting to get agreement for?

 

The £110 need to be removed ASAP. It can only apply if goods of yours have previously been taken into control.

[winston73]

A payment plan to pay the arrears off.

[Bailiff Advice]

I meant, what monthly amount were you proposing and over what period of time?

[winston73]

I did offer £62 a month from 1st September but they knocked it back. I've spoken with the council recoveries dept. And they are going to have a word with Jacobs, however the situation has changed slightly so it looks like the monthly payment that I offered will have to come down.

This is all still ongoing at the moment so I will post back when I get a result.

 

When I speak to Jacobs later I will see if they have added that £110 on, BTW no goods have been levied.