Council Tax?

Question

Could anyone please tell me if a borough council (Middlesbrough) can refuse to accept to(take back a debt) instead of allowing baliffs to enter my home and take what items i have,to recover monies owed for council tax.I eas told by one of there advisors that management had told staff to NOT accept offers from people who make an offer to pay back what they owe in council tax.I thought the law stated that,if i made an offer,then council would accept it and there by stop any attempt by baliffs to take what little i do have.But a management derective is forbiding any staff to accept.Is this right?Please answer only if you know rules regulations on council matters.I stand to lose my family over this,and the past 4years of hell we have suffered from them.THANKS

Answer 1

You need professional legal advice, soon!...;

Answer 2

Hello,

I think what your actually dealing with here is really a legal matter. But having said that, it is my understanding that bailiffs are technically officers of the law (meaning they have lower level legal enforcement powers, abit like parking attendants say) & their job is soley to reclaim the outstanding debit.

What do I mean by that?, recovering the debit on behalf of the council is done as a last resort. It normally involves the bailiffs entering the debtors property to assess (make an inventory) of what goods, or assetts that potentially could be removed and sold inorder to pay back the money thats owed.

However, the client has every right to pay the debt back at any time. The bailiffs or council or court CANNOT refuse you the right to pay back the money/s. You are fully within your legal rights to pay the money back and they cannot object to that, no matter what they say.

**Its in everyones interest that the debit is cleared off as soon as possible, it save's you more distress & stress. Doesnt take up any more time for the council or debit recovery agency.

**They CANNOT refuse your offer to pay it back at any time!! IMO.

I really hope that helps you? with best regards.

IR

Answer 3

Unfortunately, once the debt is handed to the baliffs, there is nothing the council can do about. If you are so desperate to pay, why didn't you before? It takes a long time for baliffs to become involved. With any debt seek advice from CAB before it becomes desperate

Answer 4

If you can pay the council over the Internet do that, they cannot then refuse it, if they have an automated system over the phone pay them by that method also, they cannot refuse it then. If you can hold out from the Bailiffs do so and they will eventually have to hand the bill back to the council and you can then start to make payment to them direct.

Answer 5

omg - you poor things - my thoughts are with you - i'm sure you should be allowed to pay back the amount rather than having the baliffs do their thing - i really don't know for sure tho so can i advise you to get advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau
good luck ~x~

Answer 6

You need to get legal advice immediately. Contact the nearest legal practice, and have a free consultation. They should have up-to-date knowledge of this, and would be able to tell you one way or the other there and then.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Sorry I`ve got no pity. Everyone has to pay council tax, how come you got behind with yours? You have to pay it in the end. If you thought you were entitled to benefits you should have claimed. If you were on benefits you wasn`t prioritising your money. My daughter was on tax benefits until she got married and she managed to pay hers.

Answer 8

i see the baliffs havent taken your p.c. yet then!