Bailiff charges

[hayleybabe84]

Last week we found a piece of paper through our letter box.......A notice of bailiffs attendance, magistrates liability order/distress warrant for unpaid council tax.

It then says..

AMOUNT DUE £282.45 PLUS COSTS

They demanded the amount in full so to save arguing I applied for a budgeting loan through the jobcentre and paid the council directly.

I received an email this morning from the council saying that although we have cleared the debt with them, that the bailiff will still pursue us for the costs that he has incurred.

Thing is, he hasn't stated anywhere on the letter how much these costs are, hasn't said anything about how much ... it just says "PLUS COSTS" and I also noticed that where it says "date" and "time of visit" on the letter he has left this blank.

As far as I'm aware he has only been to the property once (we weren't there) I've spoken to a few people about this letter and some have been saying that he should have stated the date and time of visit and he should have made it clear how much the charges were going to be for that visit too.
Are they right?

[CleverClogs]

Re: Bailiff charges

Last week we found a piece of paper through our letter box.......A notice of bailiffs attendance, magistrates liability order/distress warrant for unpaid council tax.

It then says..

AMOUNT DUE £282.45 PLUS COSTS

They demanded the amount in full so to save arguing I applied for a budgeting loan through the jobcentre and paid the council directly.

I received an email this morning from the council saying that although we have cleared the debt with them, that the bailiff will still pursue us for the costs that he has incurred.

Thing is, he hasn't stated anywhere on the letter how much these costs are, hasn't said anything about how much ... it just says "PLUS COSTS" and I also noticed that where it says "date" and "time of visit" on the letter he has left this blank.

As far as I'm aware he has only been to the property once (we weren't there) I've spoken to a few people about this letter and some have been saying that he should have stated the date and time of visit and he should have made it clear how much the charges were going to be for that visit too.
Are they right?

Yes.

[hayleybabe84]

Re: Bailiff charges

Thank you

[WendyB]

Re: Bailiff charges

Have a good read of the bailiff guide, it will answer your questions ax to what bailiffs are legally allowed to charge. Bailiff Guide - Legal Beagles Consumer Forum

[hayleybabe84]

Re: Bailiff charges

I have done but I was asking if the people I had spoken to were correct when they said that the magistrates liability order/ distress warrant should have been signed, dated and included somewhere on the letter how much they were charging me for that visit. I was also told that the letter had to be in a sealed envelope (which it wasn't) apparently without these things they can not charge me the cost for the visit.
I just wanted to find out for sure if these people were right before I try and dispute it.

[ben13]

Re: Bailiff charges

Hi Hayley,
what costs are the bailiffs telling you that you owe?

They can only charge £24.50 for their first visit so if they tell you that the costs are more than that its BS.

Believe me you won't get anywhere trying to argue this. At the end of the day its your word against theres.

[Caspar]

Re: Bailiff charges

Totally agree with Ben on this, but if they do try anymore than £24.50, the second visit would take it up to £42.50 as per bailiff's guide. After that demand a full breakdown of fees before you pay.