bailiffs after settling council debt

[ajsoz]

In February, I was sent a letter accusing me of not paying my council debts from last year and my accounts transferred to bailiffs. Which added to my debts increase by almost £200 and totally to almost £460. including bailiffs fee. I chose to call the council to settle my debt, I was told it has been transferred to the bailiffs and I have to speak to them. I spoke with the bailiff's office to bargain how much I would be paying monthly, I told them I could only afford to pay £50/mth, which they objected and also explained I just lost my job. They still refused.

Anyways, I immediately looked at other means and paid the full council debts via the council online payment page but was surprised after two months that the bailiff visited my apartment to request for their fees of £75 and adding £235 because he visited. Although I live on the first floor which had a communal entry door. So I had to go downsides and spoke to him while he was outside the main entrance door.

He came back two weeks later and pressed the bell to my apartment but I didnt answer but he left a letter to say he would be back to take inventory of the goods if payment is not made.

My question is, can I still call the council to take back my account from the bailiff and since I opened the main communal door downsides to speak to him but he didn't enter, does it mean he can't make forceful entry?

If I change the name on the council tax, can that deter him from coming?

Note: This baliff is working within the council.

Your advice would be of great help.

[Kati]

Re: bailiffs after settling council debt

[MENTION=26498]ploddertom[/MENTION] [MENTION=62334]Snoopy1948[/MENTION]

[ploddertom]

Re: bailiffs after settling council debt

Unfortunately the Bailiffs fees are still payable. There is a recent LGO Report that you should read as it does explain things.

http://www.lgo.org.uk/decisions/bene...014-707#point1

[Snoopy1948]

Re: bailiffs after settling council debt

Hi Ajsoz and apologies for the later reply.

You say that the bailiff is working within the council so are you actually confirming that the bailiff, now known as an enforcement agent, is actually a local government officer and directly employed by the council?

Not that should affect statutory charges raised, such as the fees applied and demanded for here, but it does mean that you can liaise directly with the council to discuss those fees.

However, from what you say, I suspect we are dealing with an outside agency of enforcement agents and they have the right to pursue costs, after all that is the only income they receive.

[lgfa92]

Re: bailiffs after settling council debt

Sounds like you're out of luck - as per the earlier post the paying of the council tax charge direct to the local authority doesn't get you out of the enforcement agent fees.

Craig