im a single mum and pregnant and baillifs saying theyre gona break in!

[hayleyclarke52]

I owe past council tax bills and had baillifs at my door. i stupidly let them in the house as i was scared and set up a payment plan. i ownly earn 380 a month wages and they wanted £29 a week/£120 a month off me. i couldnt afford this and only paid a few weeks and now theyre saying theyre gona break into my house to seize goods. im a single mum and 5 months and scared incase they break in. ive informed them im pregnant but still receiving letter off them. can anyone help?

[labman]

Re: im a single mum and pregnant and baillifs saying theyre gona break in!

You should inform the bailiffs and council that you are classed as vulnerable (actually potentially vulnerable) according to the National Standards for Enforcement Agents and ask for the debt to be returned to the council. Remember this should be BOTH the bailiffs AND the council (Head of Revenues).

They may or may not take it back.

When you allowed entry, did they levy on anything or leave any paperwork? Do you have this, and if so can you tell us what was left please?

Obviously you have to pay what you owe the council. Work out what you can sensibly afford - it MUST be affordable and sustainable. Start paying this each week directly to the council and stick to it rigidly. Do not miss any more payments. Pay via internet or their automated telephone payment system.

It's also worth phoning the council and asking:

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?

When you have answers to the above, please post back up.

[bizzybob]

Re: im a single mum and pregnant and baillifs saying theyre gona break in!

I owe past council tax bills and had baillifs at my door. i stupidly let them in the house as i was scared and set up a payment plan. i ownly earn 380 a month wages and they wanted £29 a week/£120 a month off me. i couldnt afford this and only paid a few weeks and now theyre saying theyre gona break into my house to seize goods. im a single mum and 5 months and scared incase they break in. ive informed them im pregnant but still receiving letter off them. can anyone help?

What council and bailiffs are they? How long ago did they call Were you already pregnant when they turned up?

Now take a couple of deep breaths settle down and don't worry, Beagles will help you deal with these bailiffs who have already acted wrongly, and they are on a rather sticky wicket, in fact they are rapidly going eastside and down.

When you made the payment arrangement did they list goods and leave a Notice of seizure with you? Post up what they have listed

As you are a single parent you are likely vulnerable as per Labman's advice, making bailiff action inappropriate, I have posted the relevant section below, so quote from it when you contact the council:

Vulnerable situations

 Enforcement agents/agencies and creditors must recognise that
they each have a role in ensuring that the vulnerable and socially
excluded are protected and that the recovery process includes
procedures agreed between the agent/agency and creditor about
how such situations should be dealt with. The appropriate use of
discretion is essential in every case and no amount of guidance
could cover every situation, therefore the agent has a duty to
contact the creditor and report the circumstances in situations
where there is evidence of a potential cause for concern. If
necessary, the enforcement agent will advise the creditor if further
action is appropriate. The exercise of appropriate discretion is
needed, not only to protect the debtor, but also the enforcement
agent who should avoid taking action which could lead to
accusations of inappropriate behaviour.

 Enforcement agents must withdraw from domestic premises if the
only person present is, or appears to be, under the age of 18; they
can ask when the debtor will be home - if appropriate.

 Enforcement agents must withdraw without making enquiries if the
only persons present are children who appear to be under the age
of 12.

 Wherever possible, enforcement agents should have
arrangements in place for rapidly accessing translation services
when these are needed, and provide on request information in
large print or in Braille for debtors with impaired sight.

 Those who might be potentially vulnerable include:
 the elderly;
 people with a disability;
 the seriously ill;
 the recently bereaved;
 single parent families;
 pregnant women;
 unemployed people; and,
 those who have obvious difficulty in understanding, speaking or
reading English.

Above all don't worry post up the requested info and Beagles will help you sort this

[CleverClogs]

Re: im a single mum and pregnant and baillifs saying theyre gona break in!

Were you already pregnant when they turned up?

They're not being blamed for that, surely? :rofl:

[CleverClogs]

Re: im a single mum and pregnant and baillifs saying theyre gona break in!

 Those who might be potentially vulnerable include:
 pregnant women;

But not pregnant men?

[bizzybob]

Re: im a single mum and pregnant and baillifs saying theyre gona break in!

They're not being blamed for that, surely? :rofl:

No i think Op's current pregnancy is her own affair, and she had no assistance in the matter by the bailiff, who may well however have his eye on snatching the child benefit for the new baby after birth towards his fees. Bear in mind if the case goes back under vulnerability the bailiff loses out.

[labman]

Re: im a single mum and pregnant and baillifs saying theyre gona break in!

Hayley,

You'll find there is a lot of light hearted banter on the forums, as well as good, solid advice. Please don't take this the wrong way, and pursue the advice given in posts 1 and 2. As soon as you post up again, you will get the serious advice you need.

[CleverClogs]

Re: im a single mum and pregnant and baillifs saying theyre gona break in!

You'll find there is a lot of light hearted banter on the forums, as well as good, solid advice. Please don't take this the wrong way, and pursue the advice given in posts 1 and 2. As soon as you post up again, you will get the serious advice you need.

Indeed.

When we know what was listed on the Form 7 (Notice of Seizure) it should be apparent if the levy was improper or invalid.

[bizzybob]

Re: im a single mum and pregnant and baillifs saying theyre gona break in!

Indeed.

When we know what was listed on the Form 7 (Notice of Seizure) it should be apparent if the levy was improper or invalid.

Which means Beagles can help you challenge the bailiff and his levy

[CleverClogs]

Re: im a single mum and pregnant and baillifs saying theyre gona break in!

Which means Beagles can help you challenge the bailiff and his levy

Yes, there's a good chance he'll have levied on exempt goods that cannot lawfully be taken.