Hi,
I'd be grateful if someone would give me some advice about Council Tax arrears and the fees and charges that Bailiffs are permitted to charge for the costs they incur while they perform their services in order to recover arrears in Council Tax.
My understanding is that the level of 'fees' Bailiffs are able charge is prescribed by law. It is also my understanding that Council in England have a duty in law to ensure that the Bailiffs they employ to undertake this work observe the rules and regulations? Is this correct?
Are there any remedies available to those of us who have been overcharged by bailiffs, and if so, how do I go about recovering my money and from whom?
I am asking the question because I have recently asked the bailiffs for a statement of account which they duly provided in the form of a letter. The statement shows that I have been charged a sum of £497.52p in total. This sum was made up of four separate items: Five First Letter fees charged at £24.50 per item (£122.50); Four Second Letter fees charged at £18.00 per item (£72.00); Three separate Levy fees (£42.04, £14.24 and £26.74) amounting to £83.02; and two separate attendance fees, one of £125 and one of £90, amounting to £200.
I only recall there being one visit to my property rather than the two separate visits they claim to have made in the letter they send to me. Also, I am not clear about the Levy fees, if they only visited my property one occasion how can the bailiffs justify charging three separate fees? Last, but not least, I doubt that the fees they charge for the sending out letters are fair or reasonable in any circumstances?
On this last point, my feeling is that the level fees and charges that a bailiff is able to charge (legally) should depend on the personal circumstances of the person on whom they're being imposed? What is the legal position on this issue?
Many thanks.
A
I'd be grateful if someone would give me some advice about Council Tax arrears and the fees and charges that Bailiffs are permitted to charge for the costs they incur while they perform their services in order to recover arrears in Council Tax.
My understanding is that the level of 'fees' Bailiffs are able charge is prescribed by law. It is also my understanding that Council in England have a duty in law to ensure that the Bailiffs they employ to undertake this work observe the rules and regulations? Is this correct?
Are there any remedies available to those of us who have been overcharged by bailiffs, and if so, how do I go about recovering my money and from whom?
I am asking the question because I have recently asked the bailiffs for a statement of account which they duly provided in the form of a letter. The statement shows that I have been charged a sum of £497.52p in total. This sum was made up of four separate items: Five First Letter fees charged at £24.50 per item (£122.50); Four Second Letter fees charged at £18.00 per item (£72.00); Three separate Levy fees (£42.04, £14.24 and £26.74) amounting to £83.02; and two separate attendance fees, one of £125 and one of £90, amounting to £200.
I only recall there being one visit to my property rather than the two separate visits they claim to have made in the letter they send to me. Also, I am not clear about the Levy fees, if they only visited my property one occasion how can the bailiffs justify charging three separate fees? Last, but not least, I doubt that the fees they charge for the sending out letters are fair or reasonable in any circumstances?
On this last point, my feeling is that the level fees and charges that a bailiff is able to charge (legally) should depend on the personal circumstances of the person on whom they're being imposed? What is the legal position on this issue?
Many thanks.
A
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