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Original poster

Damn just had bailiff here

18 replies

annemarie30 · 21/01/2009 13:06

We've been having financial difficulties for the past few years and got very behind on council tax. I tried to make repayment offers but everytime the council refused to listen and asked for more than we could afford. We now owe over £2000 and no way of paying it. My dh has been out of work on and off since september. Bailiff just arrived an hour ago and left a letter saying I have to pay £600 by next wednesday which I just can't do. What I need to now is what rights does he actually have with entry to the house and removal of goods?

OP posts:

PlainOldPeachy · 21/01/2009 13:07

CAB- now.

They will help you sort it out.

PlainOldPeachy · 21/01/2009 13:08

here
Please go- DH's best mate is a council bailiff and they tend to get their cash only when poeple don't get help iyswim

AbricotsSecs · 21/01/2009 13:11

This reply has been deleted

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LadyMuck · 21/01/2009 13:12

Here is the CAB advice on bailliffs.

You need to get an up to date financial statement done showing what you can afford to pay (and this is a priority over any other debts eg catalogues, credit/store cards).

Original poster

annemarie30 · 21/01/2009 13:13

Thankyou. I'm still shaking..I tried to offer some money but he was quite rude and told me it was the £600 or goods removed. DH isn't here at the moment and I'm on my own with my 2 younger dcs so it was really bad timing. I will try CAB tho.

OP posts:

AbricotsSecs · 21/01/2009 16:24

This reply has been deleted

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mumoverseas · 22/01/2009 07:02

If he comes back DON'T let him in the door as I think once you've let them in once they can keep coming back.
I appreciate you said that you can't afford to pay what they've asked but you should really have paid something as otherwise it looks like you have no intention of paying anything. Try to pay something NOW and get a receipt and as LadyMuck says, work out a financial statement setting out what you can pay and make sure you stick to it.

Original poster

annemarie30 · 22/01/2009 09:14

I have been so scared that they'd laugh in my face if i only paid them a really small amount anyway and they would just keep demanding extra...stupid I know I have no intention of letting him in my door, he tried to catch me offguard by asking straightaway if he could come in. I told him no especially since I was alone and he didn't show me any ID . I will offer to pay the small amount I can afford which I've been told is the best thing to do..showing willing to pay something at least. I can't believe I'm in this situation..my parents went through this when I was a child and I always said 'never me'.

OP posts:

unavailable · 22/01/2009 09:33

I would also consider making a complaint about the local authority as you made offers to repay your council tax arrears by installments but they refused.

Do you have your offer/their refusal in writing?

I assume you now will have baliffs charges to pay, as well as the outstanding council tax? If you can show that the council was unreasonable in turning down your offer, they should waive the extra charges.

CAB can advise on this.

tootiredtothink · 22/01/2009 09:38

Did you get to the CAB? How did you get on?

Bucharest · 22/01/2009 09:40

Many years ago (still under Mrs T) I refused to pay poll tax and also got bailiff's letter....I then lost all my political convictions and hid behind the settee for an hour, then rang them up, they were very nice, helpful and understanding, and we organised to pay (I think) something like £10 a week (for a loooooong time)

Good luck...

ilovemydogandMrObama · 22/01/2009 09:47

What mumoverseas said.

But, would also try and negotiate with the Council as the baliffs are acting on their behalf.

It must have gone to court at some stage. Did you not attend?

Original poster

annemarie30 · 22/01/2009 10:13

No I couldn't attend because there was no one to take of the children and they told me that because I'd contacted them they would withdraw the complaint..which of course they didn't. I filled in a financial statement which proved I wasn't lying about the payments I could afford.

Just feels like everything is going wrong at once and I just don't need this right now. Does anyone know what they consider a 'vulnerable person'? I only ask because I have 'major' depression (whatever that means) and wondered if I should mention this at CAB. Haven't been yet because I have my son home sick so stuck indoors. Fabulous timing. I will try calling them instead and see if i can get advice over the phone today and make an appointment for tomorrow to see them.

OP posts:

Snufflebufty · 22/01/2009 10:24

annemarie30 - dont know if this will help or not, but to be classed as a vulnerable person I think you have to be under the age of 24 (could be 18 in some circumstances).

I would tell cab everything, depression, everything. They will help you. I work in this area and know that once cab are involved, if anything, it will give you a bit more time to get things prioritised. They have also helped hundreds of people in your situation and know the ins and outs of the system and will know how to maybe work it in your advantage.

I know this is too late now, but if your council refused to accept the payments you suggested, you should have just paid them anyway. Any money is better than none. FWIW, a £2000 council tax debt is a drop in the ocean to some people!!

hth

dilemma456 · 22/01/2009 12:50

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dilemma456 · 22/01/2009 12:51

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ilovemydogandMrObama · 22/01/2009 13:18

Good point dilemma.

I had to deal with the baliffs at one stage; the Council charged me Council Tax when I was in full time education, but I ignored the letters etc.

What you need to realize is that you cannot be forced to pay more than you can afford and as Dilemma says, the Council want their money without having to pay further to get it!

mollyroger · 22/01/2009 13:30

I work for a local organisation which would definitely define you as a 'vulnerable person'.
And a friend of mine was in a very similar situation recently and was advised to ''play his mental health card'' for all it was worth.(He was terribly embarassed about having to disclose his long-term depression but, hey, it helped his case.) Desperate times call for desperate measures.

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