justice

[justice]

I have just had a visit from IBIS and a letter through the door amount 310.82.
This is for council tax.
I had a summons in August for 816.97 and a notice of recovery from the council for 821.00.
I telephoned the council, they could not come up with a correct figure and was quite confused, I should have owed around £20.00. passed it onto the head of the department
I live with students, I was working so I had to pay council tax £99.00 per month.
I did inform them that I was having difficulty with this payment asb I had finished work and was going back to Uni in September but my course started in October so they then charged me another months council tax
They then said I owed 262.36., so I arranged to pay £20.00 a month They was very un organized and was sending bills to other students in the house.
On reflection to this call I wrote to them and requested a breakdown of payments, I was not happy with the amount payable and would not pay anything until I had received this, I also telephoned them.

I heard nothing from them until now IbIS BAILIFF

Liability Order debt 548.64
1st Bailiffs visit cost 24.50
Less payment 262.32

Amount now due 310.82
You must pay this by close of business on 3.3.11
Failure to pay will incur action and costs
date 2.3.11 time 8.20 Signed with only initials



Please can someone give me advice on this, what is the best way to approach this matter.

Much appreciated

[Swingletree]

Re: justice

Firstly I suggest you have a read of;

Bailiff Guide - Legal Beagles Consumer Forum

and

The Collection Enforcement Recovery of Council Tax - Legal Beagles Consumer Forum

Suggest you then ring the Council and ask for the actual amount outstanding on you CT account - since the Liability Order was first obtained.

I then suggest that you write to the Council confirming that amount and enclose a 'x' amount (always use a receipted method of payment - no cash) and say that you intend to furnish them with a similar amount until the account is cleared on a weekly/monthly basis.

Ask for a printed statement of your account to be sent to you within a certain time frame. You must take the initiative.

The Council may throw a 'wobble' indicating that they have passed the account to the Bailiffs, if you have read the above threads you will note that does not happen.

You will see also from the above reading matter you should try to deal with the Council and don't be led down some 'garden path' by the Bailiffs and above all DO NOT let the Bailiffs into your property.

[justice]

Re: justice

thank you,

I will telephone them tomorrow.
Do I complain that I have not received a breakdown of my account when I requested, because that was at the end of August

[Swingletree]

Re: justice

I would, at this stage, just note it and don't make too much fuss. You are after all trying to set up a plan to pay off the debt directly with the Council rather than the Bailiffs.

If you want a reason not to pay the Bailiffs have a look around this site and weight up the Bailiffs charges that they try to make people pay. You probably can see why you should try to deal with the Council only.

Please let us know how you get on during your telephone call to the council. Don't let them 'fob' you off. If that happens you can always ask the Council where it says in the regulation that you should not pay the council what you owe them.

Stay calm, no anger, only assertiveness and you might just save yourself a whole load of money