possible threat from bailiff

[shortpaul]

I owe the council a small (c£250) sum in unpaid council tax for last year.I want to pay the bill but obviously I've got problems! The council has now engaged bailiffs ("Rossendales"). A bailiff has not yet visited and I tried to sort the matter quickly by phoning the company. They and the bailiff refused to speak to me until the bailiff had visited and put a letter thru my door. What rights does a baliff have with regard to entering and taking my property? I know law changes but as I understand it a bailiff can only enter to collect "domestic" CT if he can do so peacefully or I have let him in previously?

[sandyRoe]

If the bailiff calls and delivers a letter it's going to cost you a lot more than what you already owe.
You're not obliged to open the door to them and let in.

[jrtv]

The bailiff needs to call so they can put on there charges, about £25 for the first visit, if you can then come up with a plan to pay back the money you wont hear anymore as long as you keep paying what you agreed, they want a payment when they call then a written request approved by Rossendales for your payback payments.

[Peter Pedant]

You must try to pay this bill as soom as possible
Every time the B call.
ka ching ! They can charge - and there appears to be very little appeal against their charges.
PP

[tonywiltshire]

It is normal procedure for a local authority where council tax is owed to first obtain a liability order from the Magistrates court and then to commence action by placing the alleged debt with bailiffs, under normal circumstances once the alleged debt is placed with bailiffs the LA with not take the debt back.
You are quite correct that the type of bailiff you are dealing with do not have the authority to make forceful entry but bailiffs have been known to use many dubious means to make peaceful entry a very popular way is saying “you do not want the neighbours to hear, let us go inside and have a chat” they can make peaceful entry through a window or door which is unlocked. I am aware of an instance where a ladder was used to gain entry through a window and where entry was obtained by going through a garage where there was an internal door to the house. Once peaceful entry is obtained the bailiff will produce a walking possession order which is a list of the items intended to be sold to repay the debt, there are many items they are not permitted to remove, you will be asked to sign the WPO if you do not goods may be removed if you do the bailiff can then make forceable entry on a later visit, the theory being that they are now recovering their own goods. The most important lesson to be learnt is to refuse entry to the bailiff.

[carrot99]

were you entitled to any discounts to reduce the council tax that you didn't claim?

http://www.direct.gov...ouncilTax/DG_10037422

[shaneystar2]

You can refuse to let them enter .
Many years ago we had a council tax problem .It was shortly after they intoduced the then Poll Tax .People were refusing to pay it and our council at that time were recouping the money that hadn't been paid from those who had by tacking extra charges onto our bills .Small amounts but nevertheless we refused to pay these extra charges .
My motto being ..I've paid my bill and I'm not liable for those who don't .
It mounted up and they sent a bailiff round .He got short shrift from me and my dog .
I phoned the police who promptly turned up and sent him packing .
They have no right to enter your property .And don't under any circumstances sign anything .If they turn up and start being heavy handed phone the law .

[NoMercy]

A bailiff cannot legally remove goods for their own charges alone.

For further up-to-date info, visit your local Citizens Advice and ask them to print you out "Bailiffs Powers At A Glance". Interesting reading!

They also can only remove goods that have previously been listed on a levy that you signed!

Don't sign anything and don't permit them entry. Speak to your council asap and work out a payment plan with them.

[LochNessMonster]

Phone or visit your local council office and explain your problem. They by law have to offer you a way to pay off your debt weekly. They will contact court bailiff and you should have no more problems.

[cathfromsaron]

that is a long way down the expensive road ... pay what you can now and budget properly in future!

[Aqualung]

ITV exposed this shower

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbAejKMivek

[ummmm]

Cath...for some people it's very hard to budget when they have nothing!

[Aqualung]

Agree with ummmm If you are on benefit and the benefit stops how do you budget when you have nothing ?

Some good info on this site

http://www.bailiffadv....co.uk/counciltax.htm