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I had a final demand notice from the council a couple of weeks ago for a very old unpaid council tax bill. I called and called but was unable to reach anyone as the wait times are hideous or the system just cuts you off. I have 3 small children and staying on the phone hours is near on impossible. Then Thursday I received a hand delivered bailiffs letter saying they were collecting for the council and the full amount (which was not posted anywhere on the letter) needed to be paid immediately or they would be entering the property to take my possessions. I went directly to the council who refused to take back my debt but said that I should contact the bailiff direct and that there would only be a fee of £24.50 for bailiffs first contact. I rang the bailiff who informed me my debt had gone from the original £395 to £624!! He told me that his company (equita) charge £124 for a hand delivered letter! This was the first contact from the bailiff. My question is, is this even legal???? I've been given some pretty ridiculous payment options, none of which I can afford and I really don't know what to do next. I'm not paying £124 for a hand delivered letter though!!! I have bi polar disorder (a serious mental health condition) and something like this can send me into a full blown episode. I'm worried and not sleeping either. Any help would be appreciated.
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Re: Excessive bailiffs fees!!
Contact the council again and ask
How many Liability Orders they have for you
How much on each one
When were they obtained
When were they passed to bailiffs, HOWEVER
As the bailiff is Equita, I suspect the council have outsourced their back office to a company called Capita (aka Crapita) who surprise surprise own Equita. When you phone the council you are actually speaking to Capita, not a council employee, and Capita will send you back to Equita. Asking for a fee of £124 for hand delivering a letter is unlawful, Equita are known for unlawful "frontloading" of fees Northampton Trading Standards are supposedly investigating Equita and Capita so it may be worth informing them of this demand.
You do not have to let the bailiff in, there is no law that compels you to deal with Equita, deny them entry to your home and keep any car out of their sight and they are powerless.
As it is the demand for £124 is worthy of a Formal Complaint to the Head of Revenues, copied to Equita, the council CEO, elected leader and MP, stating that you cannot deal with a company that tries to defraud you, and that the council are 100% liable for any unlawful action by their agent Equita.
I would start paying an amount you can afford regularly online, or tender at tyhe counter, if refused get them to sign to the effect they cannot accept payment as it has gone to the bailiff, this will also reinforce the Formal Complaint along with the letter fee of £124.
As you have bi-polar, send proof of this to the council and Equita, as this most likely makes you vulnerable under the National Standards forr enforcement Agencies to which the council and Equita should be signed up to, this renders bailiff action inappropriate, and the debt should be handed back to the council. Did you inform the bailiff of the bipolar when you spoke to him?
Also do you live alone or with partner and children?
"He told me that his company (equita) charge £124 for a hand delivered letter" Blatant FEE FRAUD IMHO Grrrrrrr :doggieyes: It is about time the Capita/Equita cash grab was ended, Capita should be compusorily wound up along with Equita and Ross 'n Robbers. Sadly they are too entrenched in government function for the cancer they ae to be excised
Above all don't worry other Beagles will be along soon with more help. :beagle:
What council is this please, so we can find out if it has a capita inferstation -
Re: Excessive bailiffs fees!!
Thanks for the replies! Council is Croydon and I haven't yet informed the bailiff of my bipolar it's not something I usually like to lay out there for everyone. Under these circumstances though....
it absolutely makes me vulnerable under national standards, I'm registered disabled because of it. I have a husband (who is out at work 50 hours a week) and 3 kids. I'm off down the council this morning to tell then what's going on and demand they take the debt back.Comment
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Re: Excessive bailiffs fees!!
Also just as a side note, I am quite happy to pay council what I owe, I understand it's my debt and it needs to be paid. What I won't accept is being harassed and bullied and told to pay extortionate fees!Comment
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Re: Excessive bailiffs fees!!
Take a copy of any letter from doctor and list of meds for bipolar, and try to keep calm when dealing with the muppets if they become unreasonable get them to sign a ny refusal of payment, for that Formal Complaint you will be making. Might be worth taking an Income and Expenditure breakdown with you. Suggest that as the bailiff is demanding a letter fee of £124, when a visit fee of £24.50 is correct that you cannot trust him to deal fairly with you.Originally posted by Lfuzz View PostComment
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Re: Excessive bailiffs fees!!
How did you get on? Collectica overcharged on a visit to me as well...over an unpaid parking ticket....
http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...810#post405810Comment
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