Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

[robinson86]

Ross and roberts final enforcement notice
Hi all really hoping for some advice. Have come home today to a hand delivered letter from the above stating if i dont pay money owed in 7 days they will "have no alternative but to return the liability order to their client for following action: application for commital to prison, bankruptcy, charge on property"


The client is walsall council and i owe them two years worth of tax. I know this is serious but i have been stupid and buried my heD in the sand during a difficult period for me at the end of this month i will be in a position to start making payments to the council and start clearing the debt but i really dont want to go to prison. Can anyone advise best course of action should i ring ross roberts or try contacting the counci?


thanks in advance

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

Hi and sorry you didnt get a response, it is most unusual.

You say the bill is for Council Tax? I am no expert but I suggest you contact the council, they will tell you to contact the bailiff but don't fret.. make a payment on the automated/internet service and call a few days later and give them the date of the next payment.. ask them to recall the debt from the bailiff.

I am highlighting this thread for you, but in the mean time, have a read of this

http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...67-Council-Tax

[robinson86]

Re: Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

Hi thanks for getting back to me and thanks for the link. Would small regular payments work at this late stage im not sure if some of the letter is ross and roberts trying to scaremonger

[labman]

Re: Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

New guidance came out just yesterday (there's a link to it already in the link given above by Puff). In it, it states that if you find a FREE Debt Advisor:

2.1 Local Authorities should work with non fee charging debt advisors and the Local Authority bailiffs to design protocols for enforcement action, including agreeing what might constitute a vulnerable situation and how people in these circumstances will be dealt with. There is more detail on this later in the guidance.

2.2 Local Authorities should also consider how they can best work with bill payers and their debt advisers in specific cases, using advisers both as a source of information and evidence. Local Authorities should be willing to negotiate payments at any point in the process and should work with bill payers to agree affordable and sustainable payment plans which ensure that the debt is paid off within a reasonable period.

This may be a good way forward for you. Payplan, CAB and StepChange are all free, so may be able to help. Failing that, contact Celestine, Sapphire or myself and we may be able to help.

[robinson86]

Re: Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

Hi both and thanks for your replies i have just made a small payment of 16.25 this has brought my account to an even 2500. I am planning to make another small payment next wednesday and then a larger one on the Friday would it be worth trying to talk to the council then or should i make a couple of smaller regular payments afterwards? I was considering writing to them asking if they would accept payments of around 125 a month and keep all correspondence written is this a good idea?

[labman]

Re: Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

Hi both and thanks for your replies i have just made a small payment of 16.25 this has brought my account to an even 2500. I am planning to make another small payment next wednesday and then a larger one on the Friday would it be worth trying to talk to the council then or should i make a couple of smaller regular payments afterwards? I was considering writing to them asking if they would accept payments of around 125 a month and keep all correspondence written is this a good idea?

Following the new guidance, as per my post above, I imagine it would be done best with the support of a FREE Debt Advisor rather than by yourself.

[robinson86]

Re: Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

Thanks labman have heard good things about payplan will ring them today let you know how i get on

[robinson86]

Re: Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

Have rang payplan they are going to send out an advise leaflet but they say they have no knowledge of new legislation? Any advice whats best to do from here?

[labman]

Re: Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

It's not new legislation, it's new guidance. It is linked from Number 10 here:

http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...1-Useful-Links

I'm surprised they don't know about it as point 2 is very relevant to them as you'll see.

[robinson86]

Re: Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

Thanks labman think i will ring them back and try to get an email address where i can forward it onto them. Part of me still thinks it could be ross and roberts flexing their muscles but i really just want to try and get something sorted

[robinson86]

Re: Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

Thanks for mentioning stepchange have rang them and although they havent heard of this new guidance yet they seem very helpful just have to wait for a week on monday for an advisor to call back. In the mean time i am thinking of making another small payment today and two more payments next week would this be reccomended?

[robinson86]

Re: Sorry for repeat thread need advice if possible please

Morning everyone just as an update i have paid another 10 directly towards the council on the automated line and will be making a bigger payment on FridY when my wages are paid. Im jus wondering in my original post r&r have said i had a week to pay before they pass the LO back to the council which gives me two questions will I be informed they have done this and would this give me a better position to negotiate with the council?