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Hello,
Sorry if this has already been asked.
I was living at a property under Birmingham City Council. I was a student for the majority of the time I lived there but was constantly sent letters from Equita demanding payment. For 2.5yrs I had numerous visits from them and every time I would show them my student status and they would stop any action.
Now, when I started work in Jan of this year I contacted the council and set up a direct debit agreement for my council tax. In May I moved house which came under a different council so I closed my account at Birmingham City, gave them my forwarding address and thought that was the end of it.
In July I received a bailiff letter from Equita demanding payment for my previous address. I called the council directly who informed me that there was a period between finishing my degree and starting work that I would owe council tax for. This had never been mentioned but was owed nonetheless. The lady asked that I fax them my student details, again, and she would calculate the actual balance. In the meantime I called Equita and told them it was being dealt with however while on the phone I was told the bailiffs were on their way to take my good unless I paid them some money to stop the action. I stupidly paid them £30!! Two days later a bailiff came to my house, I explained the situation to him, he was perfectly pleasant and said he would put a 14 day hold on things.
On 26th July I spoke with the council who gave me the balance which I paid then and there to them. I then contacted the bailiff to tell him it was all closed and dealt with, this had to be done on voicemail as there was no answer.
Approx 6 days later another bailiff came to my house demanding payment. I explained the whole story to him and he said that until the council told them, they would continue to add charges for visits to my house. I explained that there was no need to keep coming to my house as I have left 3 voicemails telling them it had been dealt with.
Today I received a letter from Equita demanding money for the charges they added for their visits. I called the council who confirmed that there was no money owed to them. I called Equita who said the money was their fees, despite the letter stating it was 'unpaid council tax'. I was trying to explain that there should not be any fees as their visits were not required and I had left numerous voicemails to that effect. The person I spoke to was so rude and aggressive on the phone that I ended up becoming quite upset. He was taunting me and laughing at me on the phone and telling me that they would be coming to get me and my belongings. I told him I would call the police to which he announced to those in his office and had a good laugh.
Sorry for the very long post, wanted to give as much info as possible. I just need to know what my rights are and what I should do. I can't live in fear of coming home to nothing.
Thank you for any advice.
Sorry if this has already been asked.
I was living at a property under Birmingham City Council. I was a student for the majority of the time I lived there but was constantly sent letters from Equita demanding payment. For 2.5yrs I had numerous visits from them and every time I would show them my student status and they would stop any action.
Now, when I started work in Jan of this year I contacted the council and set up a direct debit agreement for my council tax. In May I moved house which came under a different council so I closed my account at Birmingham City, gave them my forwarding address and thought that was the end of it.
In July I received a bailiff letter from Equita demanding payment for my previous address. I called the council directly who informed me that there was a period between finishing my degree and starting work that I would owe council tax for. This had never been mentioned but was owed nonetheless. The lady asked that I fax them my student details, again, and she would calculate the actual balance. In the meantime I called Equita and told them it was being dealt with however while on the phone I was told the bailiffs were on their way to take my good unless I paid them some money to stop the action. I stupidly paid them £30!! Two days later a bailiff came to my house, I explained the situation to him, he was perfectly pleasant and said he would put a 14 day hold on things.
On 26th July I spoke with the council who gave me the balance which I paid then and there to them. I then contacted the bailiff to tell him it was all closed and dealt with, this had to be done on voicemail as there was no answer.
Approx 6 days later another bailiff came to my house demanding payment. I explained the whole story to him and he said that until the council told them, they would continue to add charges for visits to my house. I explained that there was no need to keep coming to my house as I have left 3 voicemails telling them it had been dealt with.
Today I received a letter from Equita demanding money for the charges they added for their visits. I called the council who confirmed that there was no money owed to them. I called Equita who said the money was their fees, despite the letter stating it was 'unpaid council tax'. I was trying to explain that there should not be any fees as their visits were not required and I had left numerous voicemails to that effect. The person I spoke to was so rude and aggressive on the phone that I ended up becoming quite upset. He was taunting me and laughing at me on the phone and telling me that they would be coming to get me and my belongings. I told him I would call the police to which he announced to those in his office and had a good laugh.
Sorry for the very long post, wanted to give as much info as possible. I just need to know what my rights are and what I should do. I can't live in fear of coming home to nothing.
Thank you for any advice.
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