Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

[Guest]

Greetings all-I have recently been visited by bailiffs over unpaid council tax whilst I was out at work.My car was levied on in my absence.I am aware from reading various threads on here that the maximum a bailiff can charge is for 2 visits (£42.50) My real questions involve the car levy of £33 and a Redemption of goods fee of £24.50.Am I right in thinking that these two charges can only be applied if the goods (in this case the car) are actually taken/towed away? In which case,any attempt to apply them once I've agreed a repayment plan will be fraudulent.My second question is,is the levy on my car valid without a signed walking possession agreement? It seems to me that levies on cars are different to levies on goods and that different regulations may apply.Any help or advice on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

[bizzybob]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

Hi and welcome the levy doesn't have to be signed to be valid, but unless the car is actually taken and advertised for auction, then redeemed then the head h shouldn't apply

You need to ask the council
how many liability orders they hold fopr you
How much is owed on each one
when were they obtained
when were they passed to bailiffs

You need this information to compare with what the bailiffs say you owe as bailiffs as we all kniow lie and inflate fees.

What bailiffs and council is this?

[Guest]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

Thankyou-Great to be registered,theres a mountain of info and interesting threads to get through in the various forums-hats off to everyone whose contributed.Its Birmingham CC,Equita are the bailiffs.Its only one liability order as I always paid direct debit until last year when the purse strings needed to be tightened & I couldn't risk bank charges for unpaid direct debits.The head h is the redemption of goods.What about the levy fee of £33? Can that be implemented straight away or can I argue that this should be removed at this stage as well?

[ploddertom]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

Is the car bought & paid for or on HP/Lease?

[ploddertom]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

Is there anyone in the household who is ill or disabled? Does anyone claim any Benefits?

[Guest]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

Is there anyone in the household who is ill or disabled? Does anyone claim any Benefits?

The car is paid for unfortunately.I don't think the household would qualify for the vulnerable status,ill/disabled/benefits unfortunately.Could this have made a difference where the levy is concerned?I plan to keep the car well away from the house now anyway.

[ploddertom]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

Do you know how much you owe? What sort of value would you put on the car?

[Guest]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

I only owe just over £400-The car is worth around 3000.

[bizzybob]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

Be careful with the council they have a Capita infestation, so you are speaking to Capita when you phone the council, they own Equita and Ross 'n Robbers bailiffs, so i imagine they will be looking for around £700 with frontloaded, and potentially unlawful fees.

[wales01man]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

Time to hide the car looks like an easy target for the bailiff and try to arrange a payment plan

[ploddertom]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

I assume you are not in a position to pay in full? Are you up to date with this year's CT?

[Guest]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

I hope I'm up to date with this years tax-I only just paid Aprils instalment but I'm praying they haven't started the summonses yet.No I can't pay in full so I'll negociate an arrangement.I accept its late and I accept there will be charges.I'm happy to take these on the chin but I will not allow them to rip me off-I will keep the car well away from my house and will not be letting them in to list our belongings.

[ploddertom]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

He doesn't want your car and in the situation you are in now the next visit will probably trigger a Van Fee or similar of at least £150 and it is hard to try and get round this. I assume he left you a Notice of Seizure and also assume he has described the vehicle make, model, colour & VRM on it? Do you know how many other visits they have made? have you checked to see if the Bailiff holds a current Certificate?

[Guest]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

Yes-I have a notice of seizure and also an inventory of goods seized,he's even listed when the tax runs out.I will check the status of his licence straight away.I was planning to try to avoid them through May and then try to negociate an arrangement with a few bob saved-Looks like I'll have to call them tomorrow & eat humble pie.I certainly don't want another £150 added to the bill.The frustrating thing is that I tried to speak with the council before it reached this point but could never get through during my half hour dinner break.This is the first visit so I will be happy to pay the £24.50 1st visit fee & I'm assuming the £33 levy fee.

[ploddertom]

Re: Bailiff Questions (Council Tax)

If he has leveied on his first visit then only the levy fee is applicable.