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Original poster

Rossendales bailiff

42 replies

prettywhiteguitar · 15/05/2015 19:40

Got a letter saying they've visited, for a council tax debt of £200, debt is now up to £500 (?!) anyway, I live in an unusual building so the chances of them actually getting me is fairly slim , lots of people as it's a school boarding house.

I'm not sure they even visited as didn't put anything through my door, how many times do they visit if there is no joy ? And is there a chance I will just get away with ignoring it and sending the letters back not at this address ?

OP posts:
LuisSuarezTeeth · 15/05/2015 19:42

No chance. They are unstoppable. Write to them straight away. Do you owe the money?

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 15/05/2015 19:46

I wouldn't think a bailiff would just go away - no. I can't quite picture where you live? Is it a past school boarding house now split into flats? Or is it still a school boarding house?

They will return for certain if you don't contact them - couldn't they just ask someone where your specific address is? They can't force entry though, so if you are not home or don't answer the door there's very little they can do on that visit. However, you can expect the debt to rise which each bailiffs visit.

I would just contact them and organise a repayment plan TBH.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 15/05/2015 19:47

With each bailiffs visit - not which.

NerrSnerr · 15/05/2015 19:48

They won't go away and the bill will go up every time they visit. Do you owe the money? Do you work at the boarding house? Just because I can't imagine them being discrete.

Miele72 · 15/05/2015 19:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
prettywhiteguitar · 15/05/2015 19:52

No it's an actual school boarding house, I live in a flat above but hardly ever hear the door. It's such a pain to get to, you cant park in front of the building and I wondered if they would just give up if no one ever answered.

I was just about to pay the bloody council bill but then got a letter from rossendales, I absolutely refuse to give those bastards any money. Unfortunately now it's been refered to them the council won't take the payment. The debt has been sold on

OP posts:
Fairylea · 15/05/2015 19:52

I don't mean to scare you but you can end up going to prison for a council tax debt. It is extremely serious (as opposed to other debt that is just normally passed from pillar to post). If you owe the money and cannot pay you must contact the council directly urgently and agree a repayment term with them, even if it just a token amount.

I know it's scary but honestly please don't ignore the bailiffs.

Fairylea · 15/05/2015 19:53

Sorry. I cross posted.

You should make an appointment to see someone at your local citizens advice office.

Original poster
prettywhiteguitar · 15/05/2015 19:53

You can't just pay the council once rossendales have it

OP posts:
fortunately · 15/05/2015 19:56

Have they got a court order?

With it being CT I can't see them leaving it. The debt will go up and up and you'll have to pay it eventually.

Offer them the original £200. They might take it.

Imnotaslimjim · 15/05/2015 19:59

Make an offer to them, and quickly. If you can't pay it in one go, offer what you can in a lump sum, and a payment plan for the rest. They are relentless.

However, if they do get to your door, refuse to let them in, and DO NOT sign anything. By law you don't have to.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 15/05/2015 20:01

Have you read the fact sheet on the National Debt Helpline website about dealing with Council Tax debt? There is some useful info in it.

itsallgonetitsup91 · 15/05/2015 20:03

Hi I've got debt with Rossendales they are very reasonable on the phone if you ring them up. Just tell them that you have x available after utilities to pay them every month and that it's pointless sending bailiffs as you don't have anything of value. They were more reasonable than the council for me and once the debt has been sold you have to deal with them.

Original poster
prettywhiteguitar · 15/05/2015 20:06

Thank you that's really helpful, I think I will write to them and offer the original debt amount. See if they accept, might ring council tax office first just to check they won't take payment still.

Don't think they have a court order yet.

OP posts:
SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 15/05/2015 20:07

OK, do you also work at the school?

Because I really wouldn't put it past them to come into school asking for you, and that would be embarrassing at best.

Does the letter mention a website? Some of them let you login using your reference number & arrange a payment plan that way. That could be done straightaway and will immediately stop action (so long as payments are made as expected).

If no website, phone at your soonest opportunity. You really do have to pay it one way or another.

Original poster
prettywhiteguitar · 15/05/2015 20:07

Thank you that's really helpful, I was told not to ring them as they won't take part payment, I'm on mat leave at the mo and have a 7 week old baby so not going to be able to pay much for a far few months

OP posts:
SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 15/05/2015 20:10

FWIW - ours here (not Rossendales though) will not accept the original £200, as that £200 will be what they have had to pay the Council. There is no reduction with Council Tax. They can't just sell the debts off cheaply.

If the bailiffs accepted £200 they would be doing the collection for free, which is not how they make money. Whether they would negotiate a reduction on their fees at all I don't know.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 15/05/2015 20:13

Who has told you they won't take part payment?

If you have nothing of value, they are much better off by agreeing a repayment plan with you.

BettyCatKitten · 15/05/2015 20:14

I've had dealings with rosendales, they're ruthless! Get them off your back as quick as possible.

Original poster
prettywhiteguitar · 15/05/2015 20:19

Christ I really don't want them rocking up at the school reception ! I don't actually work at the school my partner does but it would be fairly cringe......

I will call them tomorrow

OP posts:
Original poster
prettywhiteguitar · 16/05/2015 17:50

Well he did hand deliver the letter into school at reception, which if you knew how you had to get to it it's totally out of order.

The letter had my address printed on and they went to school reception, so I'm going to complain to the council about them basis ally trespassing into school to hand deliver a letter cause hey can't be arsed to find my building, which is on the main st.

OP posts:
fortunately · 16/05/2015 18:44

They're not trespassing if they're in a public building.

They could have done it in the car park at pick up. That would have been far worse!

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 16/05/2015 19:00

I think they're allowed to find you at work, if they know where you work, so can't imagine it would be trespass.

Sneaky, underhand & embarrassing - yes.

Have you spoken with them now?

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 16/05/2015 19:02

Sorry, I know you don't work at the school - but your DP does & the debt would be joint wouldn't it?

Spamminit · 16/05/2015 19:10

For Rossendales to have the debt it would have been to court for your council to obtain a liability order. Rossendales are relentless and they will only consider part payment in writing. By which time the debt collector would have visited once or twice more and bundled lots of money on top.

I have had to deal with these knobs before and my advise is suck up the extra fines and pay it. You will n9t win with them. I paid £790 for a £400 debt (council tax)

Good luck Wine