vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

[Amethyst]

Posting on behalf of Vixxi



i have had the baliffs at my door they say i have let them in at a previous address before and are demanding 400 pounds next week or they are saying that they will bring th police and take my goods or put me in prison. I am in this mess due to ill health and loss of my job both myself and my partner are on jobseekers allowance at present and are unable to raise the funds they are telling me the outstanding debt is over 3000 pound..... please advice thankyou

[Guest]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

More detail is required.

What was the debt for ? Council tax ? fines ?

Are these county court bailiffs or are they pursuing a liability order/ warrant.

[labman]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

Hi Vixxi,

I'm not sure how I missed this yesterday - sorry. What a horrible thing to happen.

The questions asked by Andy above are important ones to answer if you could please. Also, when they visited your last property, did they levy on anything? They'd have left you with a list of goods.

You are VERY unlikely to go to prison, so please don't worry about that. We need to make sure things are dealt with correctly from here on though.

Please answer all the questions - I know it's probably the last thing on earth you feel like doing, but it's how we can best help you.

At the top of the page linked below are a list of 'Stickies' - one of them will almost certainly fit your current situation, so have a read. The sooner you come back to us, the faster we can help you.

http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...Bailiff-Issues

:beagle:

[Vixxi]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

itis for council tax from over five years ago ... i was a single parent at the time on benefits but as i didnt fill the correct forms in they say i am liable..... i didnt let them in this time but they say i did at a previous address, the baliffs are rossendales..... the paperwork they gave me says its a magistrates liabilty order..... thank you for youe help xoxo

[bluebottle]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

If it's Rossendales, I would treat what they say with caution. They have been slammed by the Local Government Ombudsman in the past and two of their bailiffs were slammed by a court more recently (December 2012) for illegally forcing entry to someone's home and then fabricating allegations against the householder to the police to cover their illegal actions which backfired on them, the police and the CPS.

If those who have turned up claim you let them in at a previous address, ask for proof. One thing you need to be aware of with certificated bailiffs - they lie.

[Guest]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

itis for council tax from over five years ago ... i was a single parent at the time on benefits but as i didnt fill the correct forms in they say i am liable..... i didnt let them in this time but they say i did at a previous address, the baliffs are rossendales..... the paperwork they gave me says its a magistrates liabilty order..... thank you for youe help xoxo

I think I am right in saying that the entry at a previous address and on goods at that address does not entitle them to force re-entry at your current address, so you are perfectly within your rights to refuse them entry and as far as that goes there is nothing they can do.

You should contact your local authority and find out when the liability orders were issued, there are details on the stickies on here, I am sure that Labman will be along in a minute to give you more comprehensive advice.

[labman]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

I think in the first place you need to phone your local council (or go and see them if it's easier), and ask for answers to ALL the following questions:

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?

I would also write to Rossendales (DON'T phone them!) with Letter 1 from here:

http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...Useful-Letters

As you get answers, post them up please. In the meantime, don't let the bailiffs into your property for any reason at all, no matter what they say. Also, if you have a vehicle, I'd move it a few streets away. We're aiming to stop them getting a levy on anything now, in which case we can hopefully restrict any fees to £42.50 for two visits to your property (I need to check as it's an ongoing case from previously, so don't take the figures as gospel truth!)

You say it relates to a debt from five years ago - try and find something (even if you have to go to the job centre plus) to prove when you were on benefits. Was the previous bailiff action 4-5 years ago as well then, or was it more recently?

:beagle:

[strong123]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

I think in the forst place you need to phone your local council (or go and see them if it's easier), and ask for answers to ALL the following questions:

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?

I would also write to Rossendales (DON'T phone them!) with Letter 1 from here:

http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...Useful-Letters

As you get answers, post them up please. In the meantime, don't let the bailiffs into your property for any reason at all, no matter what they say. Also, if you have a vehicle, I'd move it a few streets away. We're aiming to stop them getting a levy on anything now, in which case we can hopefully restrict any fees to £42.50 for two visits to your property (I need to check as it's an ongoing case from previously, so don't take the figures as gospel truth!)

You say it relates to a debt from five years ago - try and find something (even if you have to go to the job centre plus) to prove when you were on benefits. Was the previous bailiff action 4-5 years ago as well then, or was it more recently?

:beagle:

Please take Labmans advice, he knows his stuff!

[CleverClogs]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

... though not, alas,...
(rest removed to save Amethyst's rheumatic fingers msl

[Vixxi]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

thank you guys will post updates asap am off to council tomorrow and feel much more in control and relaxed for your advice xoxo

[Vixxi]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

sorry to be a bother but i need further advice please, I wrote to the council and to rossendales explaining our current situation and advising them that we are classed as vulnerable, i spoke to the job centre who advised me to do this, i cannot get an appointment with the council or the cab for at least two weeks, the balliff rang me today demanding payment of 500 pound today i exp;ained that i couldn't make this payment, that we are classed as vulnerable and that i have asked the council to take this debt back... she told me she couldnt do anything else and has issued a commital warrant .... can anyone tell me what this is please and what i should do next .... thank you for reading/advice xoxo

[labman]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

Vixxi,

I'm in my car at present so not at my computer. The bailiff cannot issue a committal warrant - can you scan a redacted version of what they've given you please. You need to contact the council - email the CEO, this way you have a written record, but it is received quickly. Explain the circumstances and state you need the debt taking back to the council and why, in line with the latest government guidelines re collection of CT arrears by councils (sorry, can't remember exact name of document and can't access it here).

They have to act. I'll look in again when I'm home, but try to get something off before close of play today. Also phone the bailiff company and ask for the email addy of their Welfare Dept. Send a copy of email to them as well. Do not get into discussions with the bailiffs, just get email and put phone down.

[Vixxi]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

thank you i dont have access to a scanner or printer at this time but may be able to use one at the library tomorrow ..... email the ceo of where please ...... have written to both council and baliff asking the council to take the debt back... feel so alone like we have no-one to turn too ... we are living on foodbank parcels which we have to get from the job centre once a fortnight and can't get an appointment with citazens advice for two weeks.... your help and advice is so gratefully received thank you ....where can i find the goverment guidelines you mentioned please .. sorry i am not very good with IT ....... will try to do all you have suggested was very worried as the baliff implied the police would come out and arrest me tomorrow .... once again many thanks xoxo

[wales01man]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

THE POLICE WILL NOT ARREST YOU
Have you a friend nearby who can come round and deal with the bailiff if they call don't answer the door if they try to gain entry dial 999 above all don't worry there is very little the bailiff can do some more help will come on this site please wait

[ploddertom]

Re: vixxi - Bailiffs at the door

Is it just the case you have written to Council & Bailiffs advising you may potentially be vulnerable? Did you also enclose any proof of this - benefit award notice, letter from medical professional etc?

One thing I must mention is that I note you say getting an appointment at CAB. As good as they may be their advice in this matter will be variable and usually they will be as much good as a chocolate fireguard so be wary of what they say. Did you ask the Council the questions posed in Post 7?