Rossendales bailiff

[prettywhiteguitar]

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 ?

Sorry by part payment I mean part payment now and the remainder in installments. I called their automated line and paid the initial payment without having a plan in place as obviously they can't refuse your money. So call the office automated line and pay the £200 then request installments for the remainder.

If they're allowed to visit you at work then he was within reason I guess, but it's a private school in gated grounds and they're supposed to stop at the lodge, only parents and staff go any further if you can imagine, they have balls just rocking in to reception ! Anyways I'm going to start the phone calls tomorrow and see what I can sort out.

He didn't say anything to the receptionist and she is new so won't know that he isn't known at school.

Nevermind you live and learn !!

Thank you for all the advice, I am totally clueless about this, despite having a lot if experience with debt in the past ! Just always been able to talk my way out of it. But then I don't think it's ever got this far before, I just had a baby so totally not on the ball with everything

That sounds terrible ! I mean talk my way into paying in small instalments not £150 at a time which is what it says in the letter

Spamminit is right, the council have been to court and obtained a liability order. That gives them the power to pass the debt to the bailiffs. If you don't pay the bailiffs it will go back to the council who will try to attach your wages/benefit and deduct the money at source (if they haven't tried this already.)
Ultimately, if you don't pay then the matter will go to court who can commit you to prison for the debt - likely suspended on the basis you pay it back at a certain rate, but if you default on that agreement the custodial sentence would probably be activated. Council tax debts are served in full, not halved like criminal sentences.

Personally, I wouldn't pay the bailiffs and I wouldn't answer the door to them but when it was returned to the council I'd arrange to pay them asap. I'm not advocating that for you, but that's what I'd do.

I'd also contact the council and check you are paying your current council tax and that there are no other debts they have which they haven't yet passed to the bailiffs.

He knows about it but it is my debt, from my flat I rent out. I'm not bothered that the school finds out, it's not a judgemental place, more that one of the boys will answer the door to a bailiff !

We are obviously very tight on security and privacy at the boarding house so it's just not acceptable.

Anyways I will get on the blower on Monday to try and sort this mess out, it's my own fault ! I will just have to suck it up and pay one way or another, I'd prefer to the council than bailiff but I will just have to see what happens.

Thank you for all your very helpful advice MN is brilliant for this

It's for a property you rent out?

So, are you liable or are the tenants? Surely they will have had a visit too....

I don't think you can rely on people not answering doors or the security of the school to stop the bailiffs getting access to you or your home.

If security for the children is important, then I think you need to take it on yourself to deal with the bailiffs to stop them coming back on to school property.

I hope you get it all sorted out, it sounds very stressful for you.

It's for council tax liable for inbetween tenants, yes I've asked the bailiff not to visit until I've spoken to the office on Monday. He maintained they won't do installments until he's been round to do an inventory. So I'll just have to argue that out with the office. He's not coming in the boarding house, simple as that !

I don't know if it varies from council to council,but they might be able to take payment. I had a nasty exp with a bailiff who threatened me, it was for council tax for a previous address, and I had a plan set up but something went wrong at the councils end and they sent letters to the old address, one day there was a letter waiting from bailiff when I got home saying to ring them, the bailiff, when I explained I was on mat leave, no Mindy for whole amount etc he basically said I had an hour to pay or he was coming back and kicking the door in and taking everything, beds, cot etc. that I would be physically restrained if I tried to stop him. I rang council in tears to ask if they can stop him coming, at least until dh was home, as I was frightened and my daughter would be scared at someone kicking the door in. Council lady was absolutely lovely and set me another plan up. She contacted the bailiff who'd spoke to me, he didn't turn up an hour later, but I was on edge for weeks, thinking he'd be pissed off with me for getting him trouble, and expecting him to be parked outside my house. Was very frightening, I hope you manage to sort it OP

Inickedaname ! What an absolute charmer !

If I'm honest that's what I'm afraid of, I have a 7 week old baby and I'm not as resilient as I am normally, I feel very vulnerable and was keeping a low profile at school as I had a horrendous birth and l list a lot of blood which has left me feeling pretty weak still. I just totally have ignored everything for months due to being pregnant and then awful labour, plus a baby which won't sleep !!

Anyways I'm sure I can sort something out on the phone tomorrow to stop him coming back

My tenants have moved out of my flat but I've been receiving hand delivered letters for them and can see one is from Rossendales I've called them to say the tenants no longer live there but what are the chances of them going away?

Hi all,
Im new to this so please be nice lol.
Rossendales enforcement are nasty peices of work, your better liasing with your local council to implement a payment plan.
I had a recent situation with these baliffs but due to my mental health I am classed a vunerable adult, there are numerous different types of vunerable adults which can be found on the citizens advice bearau. The charges incurred are not justifiable and the council should be liable to pay these, but if your the liable person for that debt then theres nothing much that can really happen.
Also, read the taking control of goods act 2014, its very informative and interesting on where you stand when it comes to recovery.
Hope this helps

Except the council no longer have the debt, they have sold it on, they can do NOTHING with it.

ALL bailiffs are nasty if you owe money and don't want to pay it... but behind every 'nasty' bailiff is a real life person who is owed money!

Unless that bailiff is @?&%, of course. In which case they are just thieving bastards (I chickened out of the real name, but I am sure a few people will know who they are - serial offenders)