advice needed please

[numberonechimum]

---

I have had the Bailiff call last night regarding council tax arrears they left a removal notice giving me 24 hours to pay the full balance which I just don't have so I phoned the Bailiff this morning and they told me I had to pay £380 immediately and then £50 per week! I do not have it to pay so I phoned the council and offered to pay them a lower instalment that I could afford. they said there was nothing they could do and that I would have to pay the Bailiff or let them take my goods. then they said if I paid the Bailiff £100 pounds immediately and £30 per week that would be ok so I gave the council my mobile number so they could contact me further, then two minutes later I had a phone call from the bailiff they said that they were not willing to accept the arrangements for payment unless I signed a form with them and attend a meeting with the bailiff they have said if I don't agree to this then they are coming with the van to take my car and goods my hubby uses the car for his work as a meter reader please help I am at my wits end as we only have his one wage coming in as I don't work and I am really scared and worried can they take our car and good.s we have never let them in our house, but about a year ago they got my husband to sign a piece of paper for our old car that we no longer have as it was involved in an accident and was an insurance write off but does that mean they can take our new car they have said they are coming with a van this evening please help I don't know what to do

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: advice needed please

Don't open the door, and tell Hubby to park a few streets away.

You do NOT have to let the bailiff in, I will highlight your thread to the specialists It's gonna be ok hunny

[numberonechimum]

Re: advice needed please

aww thank you so much I am so scared being home on my own thank you so much for your help I am so glad this website is here its a godsend

[ploddertom]

Re: advice needed please

There is no law that says you have to deal with or speak to a Bailiff. The most important advice is to NEVER let them in your home, regardless of what they may say - if he is having a heart attack make sure you kick him into the street before dialling for an undertaker, sorry meant ambulance. The Bailif is an expert liar & cheat so believe nothing he says. Do not ring him unless you can record the call as for some reason they getmemory loss on recall.

Do you know exactly how much you owe? Do not believe his figures get them direct from the Council. You need to speak to someone at the Council and ask the following questions:
1 - how many Liability Orders they have against you
2 - the dates they were obtained
3 - the addresses they were for
4 - the period of time each covers
5 - how much each one was for
6 - how much is still outstanding
7 - the dates they were passed on for enforcement
8 - the dates & amounts of any payments

[ploddertom]

Re: advice needed please

If you have a car outside then you should remove it NOW and park it a good 10 minute walk away. I note you mention they have been previously and levied on another vehicle - was that for this debt?

[numberonechimum]

Re: advice needed please

Yes that was for this debt we have been really stupid as my hubby lost his job we got into arrears with our mortgage and stupidly where we had been paying this bailiff for council tax arrears we stopped but now we are back on track with the mortgage hubby has a new job and we are willing to pay something to the debt we owe its just we cant afford it all and if they take our car my hubby can't do his job as a meter reader I know we were stupid but we want to try and sort it out its just those bailiffs are so scary and intimidating and yes they are huge liars I know thay now after being on your website thanks for all your help you are all stars

[ploddertom]

Re: advice needed please

I would hazard a guess you will have been well fleeced by now. You need to send Letter 1 from http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...Useful-Letters . Technically you have broken the law as despite the car being written off any sums due on it were actually due to the Bailiff. As for his job does he do his round in it or just get to a depot for another vehicle, if the former then there may be a case for him to use the car providing it meets certain criteria, if the second then they can take it. Yhis is why I say it must be moved to be on the safe side.

In the meantime you must commence payments and make these direct to the Council via online banking, Council website or automated phone. If doing so it must be done regularly - £10 every Thursday for example. This quickly builds a payment history should the Council want to take things further and makes life difficult for them.

Paying the Council like that does upset the Bailiff but so what. He will still keep calling but will soon get the message he is not getting anywhere and eventually returns it to the Council and moves on to his next victim.

[numberonechimum]

Re: advice needed please

He uses the car for his full round he has no company car and you had to have a car in order to get the job. we will start making payments in the morning via online banking and every friday and I have got my hubby to park the car at a friends who lives in another village she will then give him a lift home. as it stands the bailiff as far as im aware doesnt know that we no longer have the old car and have changed it I am insure if they know what car we have now but we will keep it out of the way anyway they have said they they can come and force entry to take the things in the house but I understand this is just one of there lies. am I correct in thinking that as I have had the chain on the front door all day just in case and I will do as you say and send letter one tomorrow thankyou so much for taking the time to help me I really really appreciate it more than you'll ever know

[ploddertom]

Re: advice needed please

If the numpty comes to your door then do not open it, speak to him through the letter box or upstairs window and if possible record the conversation. Do you still have a copy of the Notice of Seizure from them, if so can you scan or type verbatim what goods he has actually sezed - if you scan remove all personal info.

He will have you believe he can force entry with or without your permission, which if he has gained access previously he can do but only with the permission of the Creditor and the authorisation of the Court and he has to write and give you notice about this. He may threaten you with arrest, imprisonment etc - he can do none of this so just give him the usual 2 fingered salute in response.

[bizzybob]

Re: advice needed please

Definitely film him through the letterbox and record any threats.