council refuses to take back debt?

[darrenlangton79]

I have a liability order with east Dorset district council for approx. £700 the debt has been passed to bailiffs who have made two visits so far. After reading on here I set up a regular weekly payment for £10 which I have paid directly to the council online for the past 9 weeks. I have twice called the council asking them to take back the debt but have both times been refused and they send letters saying "thank you for your recent payment but you must not pay us anymore you must pay the bailiff directly!". The bailiff has refused to accept a payment plan unless I pay them £100 before the 6th April or else new fees will be implied, £75 and £235! Firstly is there any way the council must take back the debt given my recent payment history, and secondly can the bailiffs impose the new fees to an already existing case? Any advise greatly received....................
Thanks.

[Guest]

Re: council refuses to take back debt?

Whilst the council are not legally obliged to take the debt back, they are also wrong to tell you to stop paying them.

If it were me, I'd make a formal complaint immediately. I would argue that the bailiffs are demanding too much, you can't afford their demands and they are threatening higher fees which will just add more to a debt that you are struggling to clear. It appears the only point of these fees is for the bailiff company to rake in more money, rather than a practical solution to help matters.

I would quote the following from "The Guidance To Local Councils on Good Practice in The Collection of Council Tax Arrears" published by the Department of Communities and Local Government: 4.4 & 4.5

Be warned though-£40 a month for a £700 debt is very light. The council will most likely implement an AOE if they do take it back.

[darrenlangton79]

Re: council refuses to take back debt?

Thank you for your advise, please could you confirm weather or not you think I should complain to the council or to bailiffs, and also where bi might find "The Guidance To Local Councils on Good Practice in The Collection of Council Tax Arrears" published by the Department of Communities and Local Government: 4.4 & 4.5 ?
Many thanks.

[ostell]

Re: council refuses to take back debt?

Looks like the bailiffs are trying to apply the new fees regime on an old debt, which they should not be doing.

[Guest]

Re: council refuses to take back debt?

Complaint should go straight to the council.

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...CT_arrears.pdf