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I shall try to keep this short, but just know it's a vain hope
About 3 years ago, my friend Shell moved from one local council to another, unknown to her, the (now ex) other half hadn't kept up with the Council Tax from council #1. Got behind with Council Tax from Council #2. Ends up with 2 LOs from Council 2 then out of the woodwork comes a LO from Council #1. Fast forward to Dec 2010 when a bailiff turns up from Bristow and Sutor. No previous advice of visits etc, so she wasn't expecting a bailiff to suddenly appear, which is why the door wasn't locked. So imagine her surprise when he strolls into her flat, especially as she was naked in the bath at the time. In the ensuing fracas, and during the time she was handcuffed to the policeman who the bailiff had called as she was kicking off somewhat (as you do, when a bailiff wanders in whilst you are naked) said bailiff makes an inventory of her goods, which of course she didn't sign. The police also take her to the cash point and she withdrew £200 and gave it to bailiff.
A few days later a WP is stuck through the door, with dire threats as to what will happen if she doesn't pay.
So she starts paying £100 per month. B & S then decide to split the amount she pays between the two councils, with the resulting effect of breaking the arrangement she has with the first council, so subsequently B & S bailiff reappears with a van. She of course doesn't let them in. They then tell her that she pays £160 per month or else. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago, and enter Wendy.
With Amy's help we come to the conclusion that the WP is completely invalid and send off a rather lovely letter to B & S, detailing a few pertinent facts such as it isn't signed, it's been levied against two diffferent LO's, the van fees charged (twice) are totally unreasonable, etc etc.
In my new Shell persona I rang both councils to see if I could get a modicum of sense out of them, and on Friday I faxed a letter of complaint to both Councils, detailing the wrongs of their bailiffs, and pointing out the Councils' vicarious liability for the actions of B&S who are employed by them. Along with the letter I sent copies of payslips, I/E sheets and the letter already sent to B & S.
As yet, there is no reply from Bristow & Sutor. But Council #2 have contacted Shell today and confirmed that all activity on her account is suspended pending an investigation and that they will try and come to an affordable payment arrangement.
If we can get the bailiffs unlawful fees removed from her account,which of course are already paid as the bailiffs take their fees first, she will be in credit, and basically the van fees would wipe out the council debt.
No word from Council #1 yet.
But all in all not a bad result so far.
Thanks to Amy for your help and letter writing skills when my blonde moments surfaced.
About 3 years ago, my friend Shell moved from one local council to another, unknown to her, the (now ex) other half hadn't kept up with the Council Tax from council #1. Got behind with Council Tax from Council #2. Ends up with 2 LOs from Council 2 then out of the woodwork comes a LO from Council #1. Fast forward to Dec 2010 when a bailiff turns up from Bristow and Sutor. No previous advice of visits etc, so she wasn't expecting a bailiff to suddenly appear, which is why the door wasn't locked. So imagine her surprise when he strolls into her flat, especially as she was naked in the bath at the time. In the ensuing fracas, and during the time she was handcuffed to the policeman who the bailiff had called as she was kicking off somewhat (as you do, when a bailiff wanders in whilst you are naked) said bailiff makes an inventory of her goods, which of course she didn't sign. The police also take her to the cash point and she withdrew £200 and gave it to bailiff.
A few days later a WP is stuck through the door, with dire threats as to what will happen if she doesn't pay.
So she starts paying £100 per month. B & S then decide to split the amount she pays between the two councils, with the resulting effect of breaking the arrangement she has with the first council, so subsequently B & S bailiff reappears with a van. She of course doesn't let them in. They then tell her that she pays £160 per month or else. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago, and enter Wendy.
With Amy's help we come to the conclusion that the WP is completely invalid and send off a rather lovely letter to B & S, detailing a few pertinent facts such as it isn't signed, it's been levied against two diffferent LO's, the van fees charged (twice) are totally unreasonable, etc etc.
In my new Shell persona I rang both councils to see if I could get a modicum of sense out of them, and on Friday I faxed a letter of complaint to both Councils, detailing the wrongs of their bailiffs, and pointing out the Councils' vicarious liability for the actions of B&S who are employed by them. Along with the letter I sent copies of payslips, I/E sheets and the letter already sent to B & S.
As yet, there is no reply from Bristow & Sutor. But Council #2 have contacted Shell today and confirmed that all activity on her account is suspended pending an investigation and that they will try and come to an affordable payment arrangement.
If we can get the bailiffs unlawful fees removed from her account,which of course are already paid as the bailiffs take their fees first, she will be in credit, and basically the van fees would wipe out the council debt.
No word from Council #1 yet.
But all in all not a bad result so far.
Thanks to Amy for your help and letter writing skills when my blonde moments surfaced.
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