Bailiffs Business Rates

[Barry]

I've had a long drawn out case with my Local Authority regarding Business Rates, culminating in a full hearing at Magistrates Court which i lost. I'm now personally liable which i accept and might have to consider an IVA.
Bristow & Sutor are acting for the LA, after turning them away from my business address they attended my home and levied on my wife's vehicle.

I originally purchased the car through a limited company in June 05 on HP with a final balloon payment, the company sold the car to a finance company in June 08 and my wife then purchased the car on finance at that point, the HP was completed in June 2011.

My problem is the car was originally registered to me personally and my wife's name does not appear on the logbook, we didn't want to ad another owner at the time.

We've written to B&S with copies of all documentation but they insist the car will be taken, I've pointed out that the name on the log book does not mean ownership but they will not accept this.

Any help or thoughts appreciated

[labman]

Re: Bailiffs Business Rates

As long as it is a limited company and you can provide a paper trail with the relevant invoices and finance agreements, the bailiff company has not got a leg to stand on.

However, you might also want to weigh up against that, the fact that failure to inform the DVLA of a change in Registered Keeper is also a criminal offence.

[Barry]

Re: Bailiffs Business Rates

If Bailiff decides to take vehicle and argue later can they come on private land and to what extent would they go to move other vehicles to get access?

[Guest]

Re: Bailiffs Business Rates

Bailiffs can move other vehicles to get access to levied goods. They even can break open a locked garage, but they probably wont want to break it open incase its not in there.

I dont have much to add, apart from swapping cars with a friend until the problem is sorted. If you dont own your home then consider an IVA, but do get advice. There are somne debt that are not nullified by an IVA or a BR.

[wales01man]

Re: Bailiffs Business Rates

My question how can bailiffs legally move other cars if not owned by the debtor

[labman]

Re: Bailiffs Business Rates

Are there any company assets inside the house?