What to do next- council tax

[Highbury27]

Hello everyone,

thanks for looking at this post.

I moved house last year, ask the council what my final council tax bill would be and sent a cheque (£140.75)

did not hear anymore until 5 months later when a bailiff turn up at my new address. The Baillif was a normal chap who listen to my amazement as to why he was at my door (cheque sent I believed all had been paid £140.75). He left my house and told me to speak to the council otherwise he would be back later in the week. Fair enough.

spoke to the debt department of my local council who told me they had not received cheque and I now owe (including bailiffs fees) £342 to the bailiff. It was my fault as I had not checked my account to see if it had been paid ( again I don't agree but fair enough,I don't check my bank for payments which is probably something I should do).
after some heated discussion with myself and my partner ( who suffers from MS) it was agreed that we would pay a monthly amount for four months, but this must be paid to the bailiff. Now, I don't agree with paying so much but to minimise the stress on my partner I agreed and so far we have paid the last 3 months with one final payment due on the 18th of March. (Great).

on arriving home tonight I have a letter from the council stating that despite previous letters (we have had No letters) they are disappointed that we have not responded. The last paragraph on the letter states "it is important that you respond to this letter as it is among the first steps being taken to have you sent to prison for non payment of £140.75 of council tax".

my blood is boiling and I would love your feedback on the best way to tackle this.

I look forward ward to reading your responses.

Simon

[ploddertom]

Re: What to do next- council tax

How much has each payment you have made been? Have these actually been paid & how was payment made?

It sounds very much as if the Bailiffs have been hanging on to your money - with CT the Bailiff is allowed to deduct fees first and then pass any balance over to the Council. Rather than blow your top at the Council gather your information first. Get a breakdown of fees the Bailiffs are charging and we can help you sort fact from fiction - use Letter 1 from http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...Useful-Letters

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

I may be wrong but 1 Bailiff Co comes to mind when thinking of the fees that have been added and that is Equita as they have form for front loading fees. If it is then also bear in mind a lot of Councils have hived off their back office functions to private firms like Capita who also own 2 Bailiff Co's one of which is Equita.

When talking to the Council ensure it is an actual Council employee you are speaking to and get their name & position. Don't speak to the Bailiff on the phone unless you can record the call - they have difficulty in remembering wht was said.

[ploddertom]

Re: What to do next- council tax

One thing I forgot to mention and that is the payments you have been making. Often we would suggest paying the Council direct making an allowance for lawful Bailiff fees. However in your case as you have only 1 payment left I would suggest you stick to it - any overpayments can be recovered.

[Highbury27]

Re: What to do next- council tax

hi,

thanks for the reply.

we have paid £76 for the last four months with a final payment being £67 in march. the council advised us that the debt is now with the bailiff and that we needed to pay them. the fees they charge have already been added. ( I had my figures slightly wrong last night). we have been paying by debit card over the phone each month, payment is showing on our statements.

Many Thanks

Simon

[ploddertom]

Re: What to do next- council tax

hi,

thanks for the reply.

we have paid £76 for the last four months with a final payment being £67 in march. the council advised us that the debt is now with the bailiff and that we needed to pay them. the fees they charge have already been added. ( I had my figures slightly wrong last night). we have been paying by debit card over the phone each month, payment is showing on our statements.

Many Thanks

Simon

What the Council have forgotten however is that when push comes to shove they are the ones responsible for the actions & charges of their appointed contractor. If you get nowhere with the Council get your local Councillor(s) involved.