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Original poster

Council tax and bailiffs

47 replies

nomoneyno · 26/11/2022 17:58

I have no money. Zero, zilch.

I'm putting all my money into rent, energy, travel and food. I have nothing left from my wages after this.

My house is all electric and heated with storage heaters.

The bailiffs are coming to my house within the next 5 days to take away good due to not paying my council tax. They've been before and said I have to pay £200 a month. I can't afford this

As to not drip feed.,
My exdp left me with crippling debts (dv relationship and all bills were in my name, he had control over money and didn't pay anything for a year) trying to pay what we already owed has spiralled and I have no way out. I'm scared to wake up, I'm scared to open my door.

I already have an attachment of earnings on my wages

I don't want to live like this anymore. It's no life. What's the point?

OP posts:
airwrapped · 27/11/2022 00:18

Have you spoken to the council about the debt? If you're vulnerable for any reason (single parent, DV, MH), the debt collectors have to treat you very differently and they may well hand the debt back to the council to handle. You can ask for more time to work out what to do and there will be more options available to you - you just have to be very clear to them you are vulnerable: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/action-your-creditor-can-take/bailiffs/how-bailiffs-should-treat-you/how-bailiffs-should-treat-you-if-youre-vulnerable/

Second giving CAB a call for help and advice Flowers

messybutfun · 27/11/2022 21:56

Unless you have designer furniture, your furniture will have no value to the bailiffs. Why not wrap some empty boxes for the X-mad tree just now (isn’t it a bit early) and let your parents give them the presents at X-mas.
Honestly, someone in your position would have already sold anything of value before it got that far so the bailiffs are probably just trying to bully you into making a payment.

constantindigestion · 27/11/2022 22:33

If you've got an AoE on your wages for council tax they shouldn't be sending bailiffs in for any other debt accrued for council tax. I used to be a recovery officer for council tax and we used to just let the AOE keep rolling to collect the debt. Go down to your local council offices and discuss in person

Ragingoverlife · 27/11/2022 22:45

Ring UC and get them to take less for the Tax credits debt.

Don't pay your rent and get that DRO.

Original poster
nomoneyno · 27/11/2022 23:19

@messybutfun I have a 10 year old tv. Nearly everything in my house is second hand, everything else is ancient

I have no jewellery or anything of value. I don't even own a car so I don't know how they can take anything away

OP posts:
Original poster
nomoneyno · 27/11/2022 23:20

@constantindigestion really? Even though they're all for different years?

OP posts:
Anono2022 · 27/11/2022 23:55

@nomoneyno sending hugs. I'm so upset for you.
My DS dad left me with a huge amount of debt 7 years ago. All ran up in my name so legally mine. I'm still paying it off. It should have been all paid in 2020 but then covid hit and here I am. I'm fortunate that I have been able to make my regular payments and kept shifting it between interest free cards, but now I am down to the minimum payment I can pay, so God knows how long it will go on for. But your post saddens me. I cannot believe they can do this to people. Especially when times are so difficult.

I think you are doing amazingly well to hold it together. You sound so lovely. You will get through it. I'm sorry this is happening to you

Wankytramphands · 28/11/2022 00:01

You can call council tax recovery and explain situation and they can sometimes agree to a payment plan that you can afford then they will go to bailiffs to get them to agree but they will still have to take a list of goods if you don't stock to payment plan or you can contact cab debt and they may help you set up a debt plan whereby each debt gets a little bit but you make only one payment it can be fixed and you must not let the fear of debt overwhelm you it can and will be sorted out you just need a little bit of help and eventually you will get there. Good luck

TheFunnyOne · 28/11/2022 01:54

catinboots123 · 26/11/2022 18:31

DO NOT LET THEM IN

Terrible advice. If they’ve got a court order then sadly they’ve got every right to be in the property and will phone the police for assistance if you don’t let them in.

PrincessofWellies · 28/11/2022 19:32

Local authorities do have the powers to write off council tax debt in some circumstances. In your case as it appears there was financial coercion, you really need to try to get some good advice. What job do you do Op?

Original poster
nomoneyno · 29/11/2022 14:59

@PrincessofWellies I work in a coffee shop

OP posts:
ChristmasPickleRick · 29/11/2022 15:28

TheFunnyOne · 28/11/2022 01:54

Terrible advice. If they’ve got a court order then sadly they’ve got every right to be in the property and will phone the police for assistance if you don’t let them in.

Show quote history

Actually, most don’t have the power for forcibly enter your home.

TimBoothseyes · 29/11/2022 15:38

Bailifadviceuk, has this information regarding council tax and bailifs. I hope it is of some use to you with regards to what they can and can't do and also what the councils obligations are if someone really cannot pay.

FTB2022 · 29/11/2022 15:51

This sounds really stressful for you. As others have said Stepchange are a brilliant organisation and can negotiate debt repayments on your behalf.

Are you receiving Council Tax Reduction/Support? This is means tested and if you qualify for UC you may well qualify for this too. Try to make sure you keep on top of ongoing Council Tax payments, this stops the cycle of debt and also shows willingness to the council.

Make sure you know exactly what you owe, for each year and what stage of recovery it is at. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the law which means they cannot have an AOE and enforcement agents at the same time.

The Council Tax should have been in joint names. Is your ex also being pursued for the debt?

Bailiffs CANNOT force their way into your home. Make sure all doors are locked and check before you open the door. If they do get into your property, they cannot take anything which belongs to anyone else, your basic furniture etc. Bailiffs don't want to take goods, it takes them longer and they are unlikely to cover their costs.

In your position, I'd ask to speak to the recovery team leader and be very frank. Explain all the debts you have and that while you want to get this sorted, you need them to work with you. Also ask for your arrears to be considered for a Section 13A reduction on the basis that you were the victim of DV when the debt was accrued. This is a discretionary power council's have to reduce Council tax liability for any reason they choose. They may well have the policy on their website.

Best of luck OP, I hope you're able to speak to Stepchange (Christians Against Poverty also very good) and they can help you get this under control.

MeMyBooksAndMyCats · 29/11/2022 15:54

Call the baliff company.

Give them your incomings and outgoings. Explain your situation. They legally must make a affordable payment plan with you.

Get in touch with CAB and step change today.

PrincessofWellies · 30/11/2022 16:40

nomoneyno · 29/11/2022 14:59

@PrincessofWellies I work in a coffee shop

There is a charity The Retail Trust which helps with certain issues. You might qualify for applying to them for help.

ivykaty44 · 01/12/2022 19:35

If you've got an AoE on your wages for council tax they shouldn't be sending bailiffs in for any other debt accrued for council tax. I used to be a recovery officer for council tax and we used to just let the AOE keep rolling to collect the debt. Go down to your local council offices and discuss in person

will it depend on the different council as to how they do things?

Id certainly go and see the council, but often once its with the bailiff the will refuse to talk to you as thats why they've given it to the bailiff to collect

I would also agree with hiding from the bailiff as if you can get it passed back to the council by hiding for long enough the bailiff charges have to be deducted (they can be a few hundred) and its court order charges which are much cheaper in comparison.

As other pp have said getting your tax credit ovp reduced on UC may help

make sure your claiming everything you can

have you applied for a discretionary housing payment from your council? If not apply and you can keep applying for that, its not guaranteed but worthwhile keep trying - you may get something for 6 months and it'll stop and you can apply again

ivykaty44 · 01/12/2022 19:39

Is your ex also being pursued for the debt?

give the bailiffs his address and they will see what they can get from him

often though the bailiff will only chase the person who they know where they live

ivykaty44 · 01/12/2022 19:44

www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20020/council_tax_discounts/2078/section_13a_-_discretionary_hardship_award
here is a section 13 on this councils website and explains how to apply - obviously you'd need to find the address to send yours to with our council - you have nothing to lose with this but everything to gain

Kerrybemmy · 07/12/2022 09:55

I owe Council Tax over £1000, I completely ignore the bailiffs (they can't get in my 20 foot gate) I keep my doors and windows locked, eventually they just stop bothering and send the debt back to the council, the council takes £3.00 a week off my ESA. I've never even been threatened with attending court or imprisonment, in fact my council has never locked anyone in prison for non-payment. The bailiffs and council know I have nothing of value worth repossessing, so don't bother.

PamelaShipman80 · 10/12/2022 20:03

I used to work in this industry with council tax! If you don’t have it to pay - you don’t have it. I’d genuinely work with the bailiffs/staff at the office. Show them your incomings and outgoings, show them what you have in your property ie nothing worth removing (they can’t remove anything that doesn’t belong to you - presents belong to the children). They will know they can’t get blood out of a stone and refer it back to the local authority who will accept a minimal amount a month.

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