Jacobs and Rosendales Baliffs Action Over Council Tax

[ploddertom]

Re: Jacobs and Rosendales Baliffs Action Over Council Tax

I don't doubt their reply will be along the lines of - the Bailiff has correctly made a levy against the vehicle in question and his charges are as agreed by the Regulations. If you claim the vehicle is not yours then you must provide proof of this - the classic no brainer.

I certainly agree with Labman in that payment should be made weekly to the Council. One thing you must observe in future is that all further communications to Council & Bailiffs must be in writing - if done by email then send a copy in the post as well. Anything you send to the Bailiffs should be copied to the Council asking it be placed on your file for reference.

You do not have to negotiate with or agree a payment plan with the Council. You simply pay what you can afford without that pushing you further into debt. As a priority debt however it must come before any credit card repayments and other non-essentials.

[whitelaw04]

Re: Jacobs and Rosendales Baliffs Action Over Council Tax

Just a quick update on what they said re: the levy. Hit the nail on the head Ploddertom. E-mail is below:

Thank you for your recent email.

In regards to your comments regarding the levy completed on the vehicle, our firm would not remove or sell goods not belonging to the debtor however case
law dictates that the burden of proof is with the person disputing ownership and not the bailiff.

If you can provide sufficient proof that the vehicle does not belong to your self then any associated fees would be removed from the account.

We can confirm that the following arrangement is in place: Initial payment of £20.00 due May 11^th 2012 followed by £120.00 every 31 days with
the first instalment due May 28^th 2012.

All payments must be made on a strict 30 day basis.

At present means of payment are: cash, cheque, postal order, debit card, credit card, payment card, you can also pay on line atwww.jacobsbailiffs.co.uk (a small fee is raised for these options). If you are paying, by debit or credit card please telephone our payment line on 0845 452 2300.

Looks like I'm going to have to speak to work to get some documentation to prove it. They still cant actually take the vehicle though without checks can they?

[whitelaw04]

Re: Jacobs and Rosendales Baliffs Action Over Council Tax

I bi-passed work and went straight to the lease company, they e-mailed me over a contract letter stating ownership of the vehicle. Sent it over to Jacobs so just waiting to hear back. Hopefully this will be sufficient.

[bluebottle]

Re: Jacobs and Rosendales Baliffs Action Over Council Tax

I bi-passed work and went straight to the lease company, they e-mailed me over a contract letter stating ownership of the vehicle. Sent it over to Jacobs so just waiting to hear back. Hopefully this will be sufficient.

If Jacobs still argue after sending them evidence like that, they're either desperate or totally stupid.

[labman]

Re: Jacobs and Rosendales Baliffs Action Over Council Tax

Great! So you've sent proof of ownership - did you ask Jacobs to confirm fees have been deducted from your account? If not, I'd be inclined to ask for a new statement of account.

You have two options now you have such a clear agreement in writing from them. You can either pay Jacobs, but you MUST stick to the arrangement - one day late and they'll cancel it and be over you like a rash. They will stay out of your hair otherwise though as long as you pay on time, every time. They have been known to delay cashing cheques etc... so pay and get a receipt every time.

Alternatively, you can pay the council directly as previously mentioned, but Jacobs will still try to chase you to get the money then. Fees will be frozen at £42.50 unless they gain peaceful access to your property.

The choice is yours. This is a good step forward though, it totally invalidates their levy and any rights they may have dreamt they had.

[bluebottle]

Re: Jacobs and Rosendales Baliffs Action Over Council Tax

Just to add to Ploddertom's and Labman's advice, try, if at all possible, to record all and any telephone calls to and from Jacobs. It is an offence under Section 127, Communications Act 2003 to make telephone calls which are of a menacing or threatening nature or contain menaces or threats. So if Jacobs decide to make threatening telephone calls, you've got evidence with which to legally "blackmail" them and the LA.

[ploddertom]

Re: Jacobs and Rosendales Baliffs Action Over Council Tax

In regards to your comments regarding the levy completed on the vehicle, our firm would not remove or sell goods not belonging to the debtor however case
law dictates that the burden of proof is with the person disputing ownership and not the bailiff.

If you can provide sufficient proof that the vehicle does not belong to your self then any associated fees would be removed from the account.

Told you it is the classic no-brainer. Easy solution to this is to invite them to remove the goods.