council tax

[CleverClogs]

Re: council tax

Never, EVER, let bailiffs into your house. Not for a 'chat', not to 'use the loo', nothing.

If he claims to be having a heart attack, phone for an ambulance if you must but do not open the door to the bugger. The only time when bailiffs can be (perhaps) be relied upon not to tell lies is when they're quite dead.

Make sure you keep all windows, gates and doors locked securely - they can come in through these.

Light a fire in the grate lest the bugger comes down the chimney.

[budjet]

Re: council tax

hi clevercloggs thanks for that ,Basically went to council wasnt happy with there reply ended up at the CAB.
End result payment arrangement of £10 a month apparantely this is the councils arrangement to discharge the debt

[Caspar]

Re: council tax

Hi,

I would never assume that just because a bailiff has accepted one payment of £10 this is the payment arrangement. You need to try to get something in writing and as said above I would pay the council direct (telephone or internet are the common methods as they are never refused). Keep repaying them what you can afford regular as clockwork. Ideally do this weekly so you quickly build up a lengthy repayment history. TBH there is little point asking the council to recall the debt at the moment as they will say no. They will probably even tell you they can't. They are lying, but that is what most say.

Once you have a reasonable repayment history, then you can ask them to take it back. If the bailiffs are involved they're unlikely to leave you alone and are very likely to add unlawful fees to their account. As said above never let them in (read Amy's excellent Bailiff Guide).

Given the bailiffs usually trip themselves up, they then give you ammunition to use to get the council to recall the debt. Any lawful fees can then be calculated and paid - noramlly £42.50 for a first visit and a second visit.

Keep us up to date every step of the way with this.

[WendyB]

Re: council tax

Get the council to put in writng to you that they are accepting the debt by payment of £10 per month. Also get this in writing from the bailiffs.

Who are the bailiffs? It is not enough just to be told that they are a private bailiff employed by the Council You have a right to know who you are paying your money to. As soon as you can possibly afford it, send a SAR (Subject Access Request) to the bailiff company which will get you all the info they hold on you, including any and all fees they have charged to your account. Then you will be in a position to see what fees they have erroneously charged you, as no doubt they will have done.