Bailiff problems

[cmay24]

Hi Everyone,

wonder if you can help me?

I was set up on a payment plan with the bailiffs for council tax arrears. I missed one payment then received a letter about removing goods. I called the bailiff i had been dealing with and she said i had been moved to one of her colleagues so she could not take payment off me. Anyway i had another letter stating that full amount of £552 was to be paid or removal of my goods. So i emailed the council directly asking them if they could give me 2weeks untill the 15th of November, they emailed backing confirming this was ok and instructed that the bailiffs would not do anything unless i do not pay by the 15th. so i managed to get £370 last week and thought i would pay council directly by doing this they informed me my account is now clear. So basically the bailif is trying to charge me £190. They have not entered my property and have only had 2 visits with posted letters.

has anyone else had this problem? do i need to pay the bailiffs fees as i am aware i should only be charged 42.50 by the 2 visit.
any advice would be great

thank you

[Sir Vere Brayne d'Emmidge]

Re: Bailiff problems

Send the bailiff company £42.50 with a copy of the letter from the Council stating that the arrears are cleared, if the Council won't provide you with written proof, mention in the covering letter to the Bailiffs the name of the person you spoke to, when you sent the cheque in, and when the cheque was taken form your account.

[bluebottle]

Re: Bailiff problems

Also, which firm of bailiffs is involved? Some are more "inventive" than others.

[cmay24]

Re: Bailiff problems

thank you, i do have the email about the debt being cleared. So i will send a copy of this too.

The Bailiffs are Standford and Green covering.

Thank you for replying

[cmay24]

Re: Bailiff problems

sorry i meant Standford and Green Ltd they are based in Maidstone.

[ianr]

Re: Bailiff problems

pay them 42.50 which is the legal fees and a copy of the letter as said above
bailiffs will lie to try and get more out of you dont fall for it
also ask the bailiffs for a break down of what the £190 is for sounds like a levy has been carried out or fake van fees

[cmay24]

Re: Bailiff problems

Thank you Ian,

They have never even been to my home so i no they have not carried out a levy and i leave in a block of apartments so would not know what car is mine. I found the below letter online is this the correct letter to send them?

To:
[Stanford and Green]

Ref: Account No:

Dear Sir,

With reference to the above account, I would be grateful if you could provide me with a breakdown of all charges incurred.

This includes, but is not necessarily limited to the following:

a the time and date of any bailiff action that incurred a fee or charge.
b the reason for the fee or charge.
c the name(s) of the bailiff(s) that attended on each occasion a fee was charged.
d the name(s) of the Court(s) at which the Bailiff(s) was/were Certificated.
e the date of certification.
f the initial balance, and any amount currently outstanding on the account

This is not a Subject Access Request under the Data Protection Act S7 1998 so does not incur a fee of £10. You are obliged to provide this information.

I require this information within 14 days.

Yours faithfully,

[ianr]

Re: Bailiff problems

thats the one
if your car is in a numbered parking space i would park it elsewhere or in a garage just until its sorted

someone correct me if iam wrong but using a council tax reference on a cleared/closed account with 0 outstanding is obtaining money by deception ?
i thought they had to go through the small claims court ?

[cmay24]

Re: Bailiff problems

I spoke to the a gentleman at the council today, and he said i should find out why they are charging me such high fees seeing as no one has been in my property so no levy took place. I had an voice mail message today from the bailiff saying i need to get in touch with standford and green about the outstanding money for standford and green and if i do not pay in full them removal of my goods ect ect.

But how can they force this issue if my council tax arrears are cleared! They are basically trying to bullying and use scare tactics to get £190.00 from me

[bluebottle]

Re: Bailiff problems

thats the one
if your car is in a numbered parking space i would park it elsewhere or in a garage just until its sorted

someone correct me if iam wrong but using a council tax reference on a cleared/closed account with 0 outstanding is obtaining money by deception ?
i thought they had to go through the small claims court ?

It would depend on whether any money was legitimately owed to the bailiffs or not. If it is, then, yes, they can quote the CT reference, but if not, then they are on a very sticky wicket indeed.

[ploddertom]

Re: Bailiff problems

You initially say you were set up on a payment plan by the Bailiffs. How was this done?

[ianr]

Re: Bailiff problems

I spoke to the a gentleman at the council today, and he said i should find out why they are charging me such high fees seeing as no one has been in my property so no levy took place. I had an voice mail message today from the bailiff saying i need to get in touch with standford and green about the outstanding money for standford and green and if i do not pay in full them removal of my goods ect ect.

But how can they force this issue if my council tax arrears are cleared! They are basically trying to bullying and use scare tactics to get £190.00 from me

wait for the break down from them then go from there
they will lie threat etc to force you to pay they cant remove without carrying out a levy so lies lies and more lies
ignore them until they reply

[cmay24]

Re: Bailiff problems

Thank you i will send them the breakdown letter today. Just annoying cause i do not want to go home or be indoors and he tries knocking for money which genarlly is not owed to them accept £42.50. Also if they do keep coming and knocking and posting threats will i have to pay for each letter event though coucil debt is clear?

thank you everyone for your help.

[ianr]

Re: Bailiff problems

will i have to pay for each letter event though coucil debt is clear?

not as far as i am aware i personaly post all bailiff letters back to them let us know the detials of the breakdown if it arrives

you could argue with the council as they are the employer of the bailiff it is down to them to investigate any complaints of bad pratice and false charges ?

[ianr]

Re: Bailiff problems

Just annoying cause i do not want to go home or be indoors and he tries knocking for money

just ignore him the only thing he can do is lie