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Hi there, I was wondering if anyone could help. I had an unpaid council tax bill for an old address I was unaware of for £238-odd and was contacted by Excel about it. I agreed to pay in installments as I genuinely didn't know, and sadly missed one, at which point the first thing I heard from them was a letter hand posted through the door saying they had sent a bailiff. Notice of Visitation I think?
Now, because he came when we were out an extra £230 had been added to the bill, of which I had around £150 left to pay! No 'sorry, we haven't received it, please pay to avoid blah blah' stuff so I could rectify my mistake, just straight to bailiffs and £230!
Having spoken to the guy who came on the phone (somewhat predictably a total arse) and suggesting that he justify the charge, he just said it was 'okayed by the DoJ' without further clarification and insisted they would seize items if I didn't pay.
My question lies with the legality of these extra charges. I have no problem paying what I owe the council for council tax but I do not intend to pay some bully boy almost as much as my original debt for the privilege of him posting a letter through my door!
Are these charges legal? Is it worth contacting the council directly? My debt is with them not Excel!
Thank you for any help in advance!
Now, because he came when we were out an extra £230 had been added to the bill, of which I had around £150 left to pay! No 'sorry, we haven't received it, please pay to avoid blah blah' stuff so I could rectify my mistake, just straight to bailiffs and £230!
Having spoken to the guy who came on the phone (somewhat predictably a total arse) and suggesting that he justify the charge, he just said it was 'okayed by the DoJ' without further clarification and insisted they would seize items if I didn't pay.
My question lies with the legality of these extra charges. I have no problem paying what I owe the council for council tax but I do not intend to pay some bully boy almost as much as my original debt for the privilege of him posting a letter through my door!
Are these charges legal? Is it worth contacting the council directly? My debt is with them not Excel!
Thank you for any help in advance!
