Excessive bailiff fees?

[mikeh]

I had an old council tax bill come back to haunt my at the end of last year - at the time I wasn't in the position to pay it and the council were unwilling to accept a payment plan to avoid court.

I was, however, assured that after court it would not go directly to a bailiff, and I would still be given the opportunity to pay it off as and when.

My own faulty entirely, but I forgot about it even going to court (in January) until I received a bailiff letter 'hand delivered' today.

It states:
Balance Due £581-43 (Plus costs TBC)

Which raises a few questions for me;

How can I possibly pay a balance that hasn't been confirmed?
How has a bill of £359.93 ended up at £581.43 plus some unconfirmed costs?

Is there no way to get the council to take this back? I don't mind paying it, even paying it quickly (ie. £150-200/m), but paying that much more than I actually owe seems ridiculous!

[ploddertom]

Re: Excessive bailiff fees?

You need to establish what it is you actually owe as there are likely to have been costs added for the application of the Liability Order. You need to speak to someone at the Council and ask 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
8 - the dates & amounts of any payments

[ploddertom]

Re: Excessive bailiff fees?

Next thing you will need is a breakdown of the fees the Bailiff is charging, use Letter1 from the Useful letter from the Stickies in the Bailiff Forum.

[mikeh]

Re: Excessive bailiff fees?

I received a response today.

I was told he has visited once and where he was certificated but that I'd need to contact the bailiff directly for a breakdown.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the council.

[mikeh]

Re: Excessive bailiff fees?

I've heard back from the council.

They have two liability orders for me.

One is for an amount I always disputed. Last month they finally conceded they over charged me and issued a new bill, however they are insisting it stays with the bailiff.

They have confirmed the other liability order amount of £439.96

Which still begs the question of how the bailiff has got to £580 odd +fees tbc with just one visit, when Jacobs have refused to provide me with a break down.

Can anyone advise how I should proceed from here?

[ploddertom]

Re: Excessive bailiff fees?

If the Bailiffs are refusing to provide a breakdown you can turn to the Council and ask they provide it as they are responsible for the actions & charges of their contractors.