Bailiff

[leejamie82]

I have a letter from bailiff firm jacobs saying they called at my home regarding council tax. I contacted the office over a month ago to set up payment instalments and was told they hadnt yet received my case and to wait for a letter from them, and they assured me I could sort out a payment plan with them before I received a bailiff visit. Now the letter says the bailiff has to visit my home to set up an arrangement. Do I have to go wiith this? Also, I have read about an N245 form - does this apply to this case??

[Gok Wan]

I've never heard of a bailiff coming to your house to set up a payment plan and I would also be very wary allowing a baliff into my house. Once they are in, they can take stuff!

I would insist that they do it over the phone, they will probabaly charge a fee you for a bailiffs visit as well.

Has this debt actually been registered as a CCJ? If not, I don't think that form N245 applies.

[leejamie82]

Im not sure - it went to court so I thought it had - although I will check. If not I will call them and sort it over the phone!

[innocenti]

Go down to your council offices and pay the debt there. The council cannot refuse to take the money. This may help in getting your debt sent back to the council and away from the baliff.

[leejamie82]

I have spoken to the council and they have said they cannot accept a payment. I also cannot afford to pay the full amount and they will not allow me to set up any arrangement with themselves.

[innocenti]

What the council say and what they do are 2 different things. Just go to the counter and make a payment, trust me, they will take the payment

[leejamie82]

But this will not necessarily stop the bailiff attending my house? I have called the bailiff office, and they have insisted the bailiff needs to come to my property to set up an arrangement. I am going to the housing office this morning to speak to them anyway!

[lou 26]

I wouldnt speak to them at all. You need to do everything in writing and send it recorded delivery. If they come to your home and you do answer the door (personally I wouldnt even do that!) tell them if they want to speak to you to do so in writing only and if they refuse to go away then call the police. Theyre scare mongering you.

[lou 26]

I would join this forum and post it on there. Theyre very good and will advise which path to choose.

http://www.debthelpuk.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB .pl

Good luck and try not to worrry xx