hello and help - Bailiffs and Council Tax!

[stressedostrich]

I found a bailiff letter in my postbox last night threatening to break in and take goods - I texted the number he left this morning saying I was at work 8 till 6 and could I call him then? I asked to acknowledge that was ok and have heard nothing - can they break in while I am not there today??!!

[Kati]

Re: hello and help!

Hi [MENTION=52938]stressedostrich[/MENTION] (love the name by the way :tinysmile_twink_t2

How long have you known there are bailiffs involved??
Which EA (bailiff) firm is it??
Can you tell us what the debt is for??

Since the bailiff regulations changed in April this year, there is no chance of them breaking in without first going back to court for a court order (and they would have to prove there is a reason for one to be granted even then)

Kati x

[stressedostrich]

Re: hello and help!

Thanks for that - had visions of them getting in whilst at work! It is council tax from my previous house. Was £100 but now £400 as I had lots of problems and forgot all about it. Jacobs are the bailiffs thanks

[Wombats]

Re: hello and help!

Ask the council for the following information and post back:

1. The number of Liability orders issued against you
2. The amount of each Liability Order
3. The amount outstanding on each Liability Order
4. The date each Liability Order was issued
5. The address for which the Liability Order is connected to (if you have lived at previous addresses).
6. The date that any enforcement action has incurred a fee
7. The reason for this fee
8. The amount of the fee
9. The council tax years that they refer to

[Kati]

Re: hello and help!

I'm going to move your thread to the bailiff forum - that way you'll get more advice from the other Beagles too :tinysmile_grin_t:

Kati x

[Kati]

Re: hello and help - Bailiffs and Council Tax!

these links will also be good to read through:
http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...or-a-Breakdown
http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...liff-Register)
http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...s-to-registers

Don't worry [MENTION=52938]stressedostrich[/MENTION] ... you'll get lots of advice here :tinysmile_grin_t:
Kati x

[Wombats]

Re: hello and help - Bailiffs and Council Tax!

these links will also be good to read through:
http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...or-a-Breakdown
http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...liff-Register)
http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...s-to-registers

Don't worry @stressedostrich ... you'll get lots of advice here :tinysmile_grin_t:
Kati x

Stressed Ostrich - the first link above may be useful to base the letter on, though I've suggested you ask for more information.

The others are superfluous at present.

[stressedostrich]

Re: hello and help!

Thanks for that - had visions of them getting in whilst at work! It is council tax from my previous house. Was £100 but now £400 as I had lots of problems and forgot all about it. Jacobs are the bailiffs thanks

Hi - I seem to remember someone telling me that if you paid the original bill to the council, the bailiff cannot claim fees - is this right? If I can get the original £120 to them will they back off?

[Kati]

Re: hello and help!

Hi - I seem to remember someone telling me that if you paid the original bill to the council, the bailiff cannot claim fees - is this right? If I can get the original £120 to them will they back off?

It's debatable ... you'll probably have to pay the £75 compliance fee too

[stressedostrich]

Re: hello and help - Bailiffs and Council Tax!

thank you so much - in a mess with lots of things at the moment. great to have some support. thank you

[Kati]

Re: hello and help - Bailiffs and Council Tax!

It's no problem :tinysmile_grin_t: - that's what we're here for!! Give us a shout if you need anything xx

[Wombats]

Re: hello and help - Bailiffs and Council Tax!

Stressed Ostrich,

Firstly, I've got to say well done for facing up to this when you could have continued to hide. It won't go away, so it's much better to get it sorted now - believe me when I say I know how hard that decision can be, so well done.

You need to action post 4 asap.

Was the debt prior to April 6th this year?

Had any enforcement action been taken prior to April 6th this year? If so, had they levied on any goods?

Had any enforcement action been taken after April 6th which you've ignored thus far? If so, what?

If the original debt was £120, a figure of £400 makes little sense under either the old or the new rules. It would therefore be a good idea to send the first link from Kati's post, in post 6 as it is to the bailiff company asking for a breakdown of charges. Copy this to the CEO of your council who will allocate it to someone else to action. Get proof of postage which costs nothing. Remember the council are vicariously liable with the bailiffs for their conduct and charges.

[stressedostrich]

Re: hello and help - Bailiffs and Council Tax!

Help again guys please!!
I SENT A TEXT TO THE NUMBER GIVEN FOR THE BAILIFF which he never replied to, explaining that I am uncontactable between 8am and 6pm and could he confirm that I could ring him after. heard nothing so paid the council £107 - the amount owed. got home last night to find another by hand notice saying he would break in as removal proceedings are immienet if not paid by 5pm on 1st October. letter came on 2nd. do I send off the letters as you originally recommended asking for breakdowns?
amount owed has gone down to £310 so obviously council have advised them I have paid. Really worried about them breaking in when not there as I have dogs!!

[Milo]

Re: hello and help - Bailiffs and Council Tax!

Before receiving a hand deivered letter in September had you ever received a previous visit from Jacobs?

Had you previously made any payments to the company in relation to this Liability Order?

You say that the debt was just £100. Given that almost all local authorities charge a summons and liability order fees of approx £75-£90 it would seem that the debt to the council had only been £10 !! I am therefore assuming that the debt had been more than this and payment had previously been made. Can you clirify the position.

If there had been prior bailiff enforcement had a bailiff ever been into your home or previosuly 'levied upon goods'?

Last point....you have said that the letter states that a bailiff may force entry into your home. Whilst the regulations do indeed provide for 'forced entry' this is in the most exceptional cases indeed. Would you mind typing the actual words from both letters (that refer to forced entry).

[stressedostrich]

Re: hello and help - Bailiffs and Council Tax!

many thanks for response everyone - have just rung council - they think THEy have made the mistake by noit advising bailiffs of new address, so bailiffs had a search done!!! She is calling them and then ringing me back - will let you know the outcome. thanks again for responding