Please Help! Had visit by Bailiff

[dannyboy1969]

I've had a visit by a bailiff last Friday morning whilst I was at work and posted through a Notification of Enforcement Agent Visit adding a convenient £235 to the bill! It's a original charge for a parking ticket total £112 plus £75 Compliance stage fee totalling £187. I made an arrangement to pay £11 per week through their website and made payments on time or I thought I did until checking after the bailiff's visit and it turns out that I was one payment behind with a payment also due on the same day as the visit by the bailiff.

I have on the same day, last Friday made 2 payments to bring the account bang up to date. My question is where do I stand with the bailiff and the extra £235 charge I'm lumbered with? The letter states I need to call this bailiff before 5pm today!! I am worried incase he calls at my property again and slaps more charges on. Can I challenge this charge in any way? What are my options?

Please help with any advice!

Much appreciated in advance

[Guest]

Re: Please Help! Had visit by Bailiff

Hi

I'm afraid that there doesn't appear much that you can do, if have failed to keep up with the agreed plan. The bailiff was within his rights to visit and to charge you £235 for doing so. I really do think that you will have to accept this added charge, which I agree is very steep but nonetheless within the fee schedule for enforcement.

Going forward, your biggest worry is that the bailiff is now going to demand payment in full, or at best largely increased weekly payments. The debt has now more than doubled. As your registration number was on the PCN, they will be able to identify your car quite easily. I would try to deal with the bailiff this afternoon and see what can be agreed. You should tell him that the National Standards advise against debtors being burdened with unrealistic payment plans. Plead poverty and see what you can agree. As a last resort, you could consider submitting a complaint to the council who issued the PCN, on the grounds that the bailiff is making unreasonable demands.

How much is your car worth? Is it on finance?

The bailiff cannot add any more fees to your account, no matter how many more times he visits. UNLESS he can get hold of your goods. You must never, under any circumstances allow the bailiff entry to your home and you are not obliged to do so. Your car is a problem and if you cannot agree anything tonight, you need to park the car away from your home, preferably on a friends drive.

Let us know how the phone call goes and be prepared for some high pressure tactics from the bailiff.

[dannyboy1969]

Re: Please Help! Had visit by Bailiff

Hi LBizzy

Thanks so much for your reply. The contents of which have been noted!

It it is such a sad state of affairs when a law abiding citizen gets hammered financially for being one instalment behind and brings the account up to date on the day the bailiff turns up, how convenient!

I have tried calling the bailiff several times both yesterday and today so far but the mobile number as stated in the letter (says only call this number and not the office) goes straight to voicemail! I shall keep calling during the course of the day.

The car in question has no finance outstanding, it is used as my works vehicle as I am a taxi driver so am I right in understanding that they could not take the car?

Apart from the above advice given, what else could I do if the bailiff is refusing to accept instalment which I can only afford to pay?

If I refuse to let him into my property as per your advice, what other options are available to him? Is he in his rights to call the police for example?

Thanks in advance

[Kati]

Re: Please Help! Had visit by Bailiff

The bailiff (if you don't let him in) cannot really do much apart from rant He could try calling the police, but without a court order he cannot enter your property by force (and he cannot climb through a window either).
I would suggest, however, keeping your car away from the property as he might attempt to levy on it regardless of it being a work vehicle (and IMO it's too much hassle arguing the toss over something like this).

What, if any, letters did you receive prior to the bailiff visit? Did they send you any notification that you were behind with your payments?

[Guest]

Re: Please Help! Had visit by Bailiff

It is possible for him to remove the taxi but this could open a can of worms. You need to be able to demonstrate that the car is used entirely for work purposes. Keep all plates etc on it at all times. Best to still keep it away as Kati says.

I would send him a txt, asking him to call you. There are complaint procedures that you can go down. Lets see what he says first. Hopefully it won't come to that.

If he can't gain access and can't get at your car, you will be at stalemate and it won't have cost you any more. You would potentially be in a much stronger bargaining position but the best way for now is to try to get the arrangements set back up

[dannyboy1969]

Re: Please Help! Had visit by Bailiff

Hi Kati/L.Bizzy

Thanks so much for your advice/support, much appreciated! I Sorry for the late reply but it's a bit difficult to use my phone to post considering the line of business I'm in!

Still no luck with making contact with but have left him a voicemail informing him that I have been trying to contact him since yesterday to discuss the account, so we'll see when and if he gets back to me.

Kati, I have received no letters of the bailiff's prior to his visit other than the first one telling me they've taken on the account and I owe them so much.

Will keep you informed once I hear anything back.

Thanks

[dannyboy1969]

Re: Please Help! Had visit by Bailiff

Just a quick update

No joy with getting hold of the bailiff so rang the office direct and thankfully got a new payment arrangement in place although it's a little bit more than what I was paying before but at least I've got the bailiff of my back and has cost me an extra £235 smackers for the privelage!!

Once again thanks for the help/advice and support!

[Kati]

Re: Please Help! Had visit by Bailiff

Glad your sorted Dannyboy :tinysmile_twink_t2:

K x