rossendale baillifs

[sam153c]

I have been visited by a baillif from rossendales who at first was very nice saying i owed him £860 and i had 7 days to pay in full or he was seizing my goods from within the house.
I panicked and tried arranging the cash as i have a child and dont want any trouble however i am on benefits after being made redundant (hence how arrears began in the first place) and could not so went to see the citizens advice beurau who advised me that i need only offer him just over £3 a week as i am on benefits and dont let him in the property and in the meantime they are applying for it to go back to the council and be taken from my benefit.
I have offered the bailiff this who now is not as nice and says he will see me in the morning with a van and will be removing my goods!
Any advice???

[Amy]

Re: rossendale baillifs

He is lying to you, so don't listen to anything that leaves his mouth.

Have a read of the bailiff guide here Bailiff Guide - Legal Beagles Consumer Forum

I take it this is for council tax?

[sam153c]

Re: rossendale baillifs

Hi Amy,
yes it is for council tax. i am concerned as i obviously have to keep the doors and windows locked and have a 5 year old which is proving difficult especially in warm weather. The CAB , who i have to say have been fantastic said they will apply to the council for them to take it back and they said they need proof of benefit to then deduct from benefit which i will be more than happy to happen but does anyone know if this actually happens???
I have searched through websites and all say dont let them in and basically they will leave it hand it back to the council and then try billing you for excess charges. However after reading some reviews on here im not sure! i do want to pay this bill but after working all my life and suddenly now redundant with a child my hands are tied!
This man got very nasty on phone saying the CAB will tell you to just offer that much there not the ones paying your bill and charges!

[Amy]

Re: rossendale baillifs

Sam, ignore him. He needs you to pay and he needs to bully you in order to make you pay.

It is not a crime to be unable to afford to pay your bills. As long as you do not let him in under any circumstances (and remember he cannot force his way past you if you open the door inadvertently to him) there is nothing he can do. He will have no alternative but to return the debt to the council as uncollectable.

However, he doesn't want to do this or he won't get paid - so he'll up the bullying stakes and as I said earlier, do not listen to him.

The CAB are right and we are right and if he tries to make you pay (what is certain to be) his made-up fees - then we will help you, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, so for now, try not to worry, which I appreciate is difficult.

[sam153c]

Re: rossendale baillifs

thank you so much for your advice and help. i feel so much more at ease now. i will update tomorrow if i have a visit!and keep you updated

[Amy]

Re: rossendale baillifs

You're very welcome xx

[sam153c]

Re: rossendale baillifs

well surprise surprise...no visit, phone call or letter from the nasty man!

[Amy]

Re: rossendale baillifs

I told you he was lying.

[Sapphire]

Re: rossendale baillifs

Sam a good thing to remember with bailiffs (and Amy will back me with this)

If they are breathing, they are lying !