notice of enforcement for council tax

[trucker123]

Please helpI have just recieved a notice of enforcement from a bayliff that they will be attending my house to remove goods to pay the council tax arrears or they will get a magistretes order for a warrent of entry to force entrance.Please help i dont know what to do or were do i stand or how to stop this.

[stevemLS]

Re: notice of enforcement for council tax

Do you owe the money and have the council got a Liability Order?

If so, have you tried to get a payment arrangement with the council?

The only way I know you can stop it at this stage is to enter into a payment arrangement and stick to it.

[trucker123]

Re: notice of enforcement for council tax

When i spoke to the council they said they cannot deal with it only the bayliffs

[stevemLS]

Re: notice of enforcement for council tax

That appears to be a common stance, again, I understand the council cannot refuse to accept payments - others are more knowledgable than me on this and I am sure they will be along.

[nemesis45]

Re: notice of enforcement for council tax

Correct the Council should not refuse payments, however the bailiffs fee/charges will remain payable.

[Wombats]

Re: notice of enforcement for council tax

You will have been charged a £75 Compliance Stage fee at present, and should have at least 7 clear days (excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays) in which to come to a repayment agreement with the enforcement company.

You are best working out what you can afford and putting this to the bailiff to see if they will accept it. If they refuse and insist on more, complain to the council. Try to get a recording of this conversation (most mobiles have a recording device) as evidence of what the bailiff says should you need it as proof of their behaviour.

The only way to avoid further bailiff charges is to deny the bailiff access to your home - they can enter only through an open or unlocked door (front or back, patio windows, French windows etc....) and then ensure anything of value outside your property (usually a vehicle) is kept a good 10 minutes away or better still, locked in a garage or a neighbours driveway which is private land, so they cannot clamp it. If you happen to have a blue badge, display it in the windscreen and it should not be seized.

Eventually, the bailiff will return the warrant to the council. On return of the warrant, the fees die. It is impossible to say how long this will take, and theories vary. Meanwhile, you should be paying the council directly, they are not legally allowed to refuse payment.