Arun DC and Ross & Roberts

[bluemoon55]

Got home last Friday to a letter from Ross & Roberts concerning a council tax debt. The amount of debt (handwritten) on the notice is incorrect.Fees shown for first visit and subsequent visits are correct. Letter also states that R&R can enter into a payment arrangement, so I contacted named bailiff about this who told me that there would be a £65 "arrangement fee" which he would like to collect tomorrow afternoon (Monday).Having read up on the forum I wary of allowing the bailiff entry when he returns on Monday. Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

[bizzybob]

Re: Arun DC and Ross & Roberts

Got home last Friday to a letter from Ross & Roberts concerning a council tax debt. The amount of debt (handwritten) on the notice is incorrect.Fees shown for first visit and subsequent visits are correct. Letter also states that R&R can enter into a payment arrangement, so I contacted named bailiff about this who told me that there would be a £65 "arrangement fee" which he would like to collect tomorrow afternoon (Monday).Having read up on the forum I wary of allowing the bailiff entry when he returns on Monday. Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

Do not make any arrangement with the bailiff, he will ask you to invite him in A very bad idea to set it up The £65 will be a levy fee for listing your goods to "secure" the debt and open the door for the Ross 'n Robbers grunt to fleece you.

Pay the council direct using the online system, they cannot refuse payment that way. There is no law that says you must speak to or even deal with a bailiff.

[bluebottle]

Re: Arun DC and Ross & Roberts

As Bizzybob has highlighted, Bluemoon, bailiffs cannot always be trusted to be 100% straight with people. As such, a civil enforcement company cannot charge "arrangement fees" as there is no provision for them under Council Tax regulations. He cannot demand you let him in and you should not let him in. Make sure you keep all doors and windows closed and locked and that any motor vehicles you own, including those on finance, are out of reach of his grubby paws.

Follow Bizzybob's advice and make payments directly to the council. It is unlawful for a local authority to refuse to accept payments.

[hush puppy]

Re: Arun DC and Ross & Roberts

My Daughter had the same problem in Cumbria a bailiff called and left a note to say he would be back tomorrow and she rung me and i phoned the council and paid £350 with no bailiff fees and she never heard from them again so take the advice iof Bizzybob its your best option

[bluemoon55]

Re: Arun DC and Ross & Roberts

Thanks for the advice, which confirms my thoughts. Is it worth me getting in touch with the council in respect of the obviously devious and deceitful tactics their agent is using?

[bluebottle]

Re: Arun DC and Ross & Roberts

Thanks for the advice, which confirms my thoughts. Is it worth me getting in touch with the council in respect of the obviously devious and deceitful tactics their agent is using?

If you do contact the council, write directly to the Chief Executive and tell them you will be paying any arrears directly to the Council due to the conduct of their contractor.

You would be wise to copy the letter to -

a. Your ward councillors;
b. Leader of the Council;
c. Opposition Leader;
d. Your MP.

Under no circumstances write to the Council Tax Department, as, being infested with Capita - Ross & Roberts is owned by Capita - it will be suppressed. That is how disingenuous Capita are, though I could use much stronger words than "disingenuous" to describe their modus operandi. The more people who speak out about the sort of treatment you have experienced, tell others and their elected representatives, the sooner the true extent of any malpractice can be assessed and action taken.

[bluebottle]

Re: Arun DC and Ross & Roberts

My Daughter had the same problem in Cumbria a bailiff called and left a note to say he would be back tomorrow and she rung me and i phoned the council and paid £350 with no bailiff fees and she never heard from them again so take the advice iof Bizzybob its your best option

I bet the bailiff was hacked off he had been deprived of his beer tokens. :grin:

[Sir Vere Brayne d'Emmidge]

Re: Arun DC and Ross & Roberts

I bet the bailiff was hacked off he had been deprived of his beer tokens. :grin:

The bailiff won't be, as because of their action they have pushed the defaulter in paying, the Council will have to pay some fees to the bailiff.......which will be added to all Council tax payers next year....it's only a penny per household Milord!