To be this stressed about baliffs

[Outandabout43]

I had a letter just before Christmas from a bailiffs company stating I had failed to pay a clean air zone fine. I contacted the council straight away as I had no idea what the fine could be and was informed I had driven through a clean air zone and not paid the charge however it turns out the original fine and any follow up letters had been sent to,the wrong address. Council have admitted their error and have emailed to state its their error and that I needed to fill out an online form. I was unable to fill out the form and therefore called the council back and asked them to send it in the post.
This morning at 6AM I had the baliff knock on the door, I explained the error and that I needed to get my child to school, he stated he would come back at 10.
After taking my child to school i text him explaining the situation and sending proof of the council error and he responded he did not care and would be back tonight. I've called his company and they also have stated they do not care and I need to pay. I called the council and they have told me to pay the money and I can get it reimbursed, but I don't have £500. I have asked to set up a payment plan but they have declined me to do this.
I e know what to do, I'm worried sick and have had to take the day off work as im so upset and stressed.
I really don't know where I stand with this

Bump

What form do you need to fill out and why were you unable to? It is their fault but you need to help yourself by following the process.

How could they have sent letters to the wrong address - was this an actual error on their part of is your car registered at the wrong address?

Why haven’t the council cancelled the fine with the collection agency they have enlisted?

Go to your MP about this for help, and also follow the council complaints procedure.

Until you can get it sorted, just ignore them. They can’t break down your door. Not even a High Court enforcement officer can force entry. Lock your windows and make sure they can’t get round the back.

And do not answer your door to them! Keep it locked and keep all windows locked. Maybe park your car a walk away so they can’t take it.

do not pay, you will not be reimbursed.

Don't let them in the house, can you go to the council and get help doing the form if it doesn't work on your computer?

Do not let the bailiff into your home.

For a Clean Air Zone penalty they cannot force entry unless they have already been inside before, which they have not. If they return, keep the door closed and speak through it if you must. You do not owe them an explanation.

You need to file an Out-of-Time Witness Statement. This pauses enforcement while the court looks at what went wrong.

How to apply (step by step)

1. Go to the government page for traffic enforcement witness statements:
   https://www.gov.uk/traffic-enforcement-centre

2. Choose the option for an Out-of-Time Witness Statement for a Penalty Charge Notice.

3. You will be asked for:
   • The PCN number
   • Your name and address
   • The council name

4. When asked for the reason, select the option that says you did not receive the original notice.

5. In the explanation box, write something simple and factual, for example:

I did not receive the Penalty Charge Notice or any statutory notices because they were sent to an incorrect address. The council has since confirmed this error in writing. I became aware of the penalty only when contacted by enforcement agents.

6. Upload or attach the email from the council admitting the address error, if the system allows. If not, keep it ready.

7. Submit the form. Take a screenshot or save the confirmation.

If the online form will not work, you can download the forms (PE2 and PE3), fill them in, and email them to the Traffic Enforcement Centre. I can help you with that wording if needed.

After you submit

• Email the council and the bailiff company to say the Out-of-Time Witness Statement has been submitted and enforcement must pause.

• Keep your door locked and do not engage in arguments.

• Write down dates and times of any further visits.

The council telling you to “pay and get reimbursed” is not right. You are entitled to proper process, not pressure.

You need to complete a statutory declaration to restart the process. Google it and complete the form. As per pp don’t answer your door/engage with the bailiff as best you can. Wait for the council to restart the process and pay the fine at the original price. Good luck OP you will be fine x

This. Do not open the door.

Martin Lewis’ MSE forums have excellent advice for dealing with this sort of thing, but for tonight, ignore!!

Lock your windows and doors and ignore.

Nope. License and car are both in current address. No idea how they sent the fine to the wrong address as the baliff letter came to the correct address.

Don't let them in, don't engage with them at all. Ignore the door knocking.

Is it a high court bailiff? If so they can clamp your car, so move it if so.

Any special circumstances? Pregnant, young children, disabilities?

I have a 9 year old child that's epileptic

I used to date a bailiff and he said they would normally send someone out early morning, mid afternoon, and evening to scope the best chance of catching you. So even if you are going out on the school run - you do not need to speak to them. But do expect them to be around on a time you would be leaving, it's what they do.

Perfect, ring the company and tell them you are a vunerable household because of your child, should be enough to stop it instantly. Offer to email medical proof

How is epilepsy making the household vulnerable??

so your suggesting lies

you understand many many people have epilepsy in this world…

sadly it’s not an excuse to not pay what’s owed especially when the child with epilepsy has nothing to do with the charge

I'm not lying. Nor am I wrong.

Epilepsy is a long term health condition, and therefore bailiffs have to take an alternative route as someone in the house is classed as vulnerable.

They will back up and OP can go down the other channels to get the debt overturned, as it is not hers.

Thanks for your no advice though, nice one!

Agree epilepsy is a long term condition, I am close to someone who suffers from it.

I never said you were the liar, please read my reply again.. I’m suggesting the op lies that the reason is her child has epilepsy (how severe we do not know)

how is the debt not the op’s?

So sorry about this OP.

I am not sure but worried you may have put yourself in a vulnerable position by answering the door to them.

They can't for this. There are a couple of types of debt where they can force entry, always be aware of the type of debt you owe if you are going down the ignore them route. There are not many types of debt that qualify, but some types do allow it.

Well the debt will get sent back without all the extra fees on it, as it was the council who got it wrong.

The vunerable household doesn't get rid of the debt, it just stops bailiffs knocking on her door and trying to get her to pay all the extra

Yes - Stamp Duty and Council Tax are two of them.

Beat the bailiffs on FB

Must have missed the one where all the extra charges got dropped.

whatever is owed then still owed? Guessing child who has epilepsy maybe at school when they come for the owed money so not really relevant.

hope you get it sorted op, sounds very stressful