Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

[js15]

Hi all, I have just received a letter and Bailiff visit to the property where I live. when I asked the bailiff what is all about, the bailiff said is about unpaid council tax at a different property which I have never lived with a different name which is now linked to my present address.

I explained to the bailiff that I have never lived in that address and the names on the letter is not mine but the first and the last names are similar but the present address is not owing council tax to the extent that I have to show the bailiff proof for all the payment covering over ten years bearing my name on the card payment.

The bailiff now asking for further proof after showing him the payment card which is up to date for my present address. I did not own any property in the name in question. Please help me out on what to do.
Thanks

[Kati]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

You could try contacting the council and putting in a complaint and informing them you will only deal with them and not bailiffs ... as the bailiff is collecting a CT debt (even though it's not yours) he is answerable to the council. Can you name the bailiff firm and council involved?

[js15]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

Thanks for your response... the bailiff firm is Rossendales

- - - Updated - - -

The council involve is Nottingham City Council.

[Amethyst]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

Definitely speak with the council. Is this bailiff visit the first you have ever heard of this issue?

[Kati]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

Aaah Rossendales are known for making complete ball$ ups like this every now and then

OK ... contact the council (letter or email is best - you have proof if needed of their replies then) copying in the bailiffs. Tell them that you have provided proof of your (personal) CT payments at the property you live at, and that you are not and have never been connected with the property they are chasing for payments from. As you have provided proof of 10yrs worth of CT payments, the council will have records of that. Insist that the bailiffs are called off until the matter is resolved.

You could also tell the council that you will only be dealing with themselves.

Rossendales
PO Box 324
Rossendale
BB4 0GE


Client Services:
Phone Line: 0844 701 3981
Fax: 0844 701 3982


Customer Contact Centre:
Enquiry and Payment Line: 0844 701 3980
24 Hour Automated Payment Line: 0845 078 1194
Fax Line: 0844 701 3982
Email: info@rossendales.com


complaints email: complaints@rossendales.com

[js15]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

This has been an on-going issue. I have been to the CT people personally to complain and dispute against this CT payment simply because I have never lived in the address in question and also the names written on the letter wasn't my name but similar first and the last name. I was told then that bailiff would stop coming. Now the issue resurface again. I really need help in order to put this issue to rest. Thanks

[Kati]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

This has been an on-going issue. I have been to the CT people personally to complain and dispute against this CT payment simply because I have never lived in the address in question and also the names written on the letter wasn't my name but similar first and the last name. I was told then that bailiff would stop coming. Now the issue resurface again. I really need help in order to put this issue to rest. Thanks

A formal complaint to the CEO of the council may be in order then

[js15]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

OK. I'll do that....Have you got a sample template on how to write a formal complaint. Thanks.

[Kati]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

Something along the lines of:

Your name
Your address

CEO's name
Their Address

Date

Dear XXXXXXXX

Formal Complaint

I am writing to you in the hopes that you can assist me in a matter that is causing insurmountable stress as a result of the non-action of your council.

For the past XXXXXX months I have been receiving correspondence from Rossendales bailiff company in regards a council tax debt. This debt relates to a Mr/s XXXX at the address XXXXX and I have been informed that records show my property (address) is somehow connected with it.
After contacting your council tax department on (date) and providing proof I was not the person in question and that I have no connection with the aforementioned property or debt, I was informed that the bailiffs would be called off and that no further action would be taken.

This turns out not to be the case. On (date) I received a doorstep visit from Mr/s XXXXXX (bailiffs name). I again provided proof that I was not liable for the debt being collected (this time to the Rossendales employee) in the form of my council tax receipts for the last ten (10) years. This was not good enough for the bailiff in question, and he has now demanded further evidence from me, which I do not feel I should have to produce. Rossendales are answerable to your council and should have been told that my address was not to be visited in relation to the above debt.

I now request that you look into the matter on my behalf. Rossendales must now be advised that no collection activities should be commenced on my property and that all correspondence to my address should cease.

Yours Sincerely

adapted for your circumstances should suffice

[ploddertom]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

You should also contact your local Councillor and ask them to intervene on your behalf. Best initial contact is by phone and in my view are contactable 7 days per week up until 9pm.

[js15]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

Thanks so much everyone...you've made my day:tinysmile_grin_t::tinysmile_grin_t::tinysmile_ grin_t:

[Snoopy1948]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

I agree, you should, yourself, be contacting the council concerned for clarification about how the previous address, and name, is linked to your current address. Councils do not make speculative attempts to chase local taxation debt but they do make mistakes. The fact that first and last names are similar tends to suggest identity fraud so it is in your interests to check this out at source. The bailiff, who was no doubt a private company 'enforcement agent', would have little interest in the circumstances, nor is he empowered to make a decision on such except those where the liability is 'probably' wrong and he has to defend the rationale behind his legal call.

I also don't think that proving your current ctax has anything to do with this. Do they still issue 'payment cards' for council tax? Remember that councils use private bailiffs to enforce sometimes the 'unlikely' and there is a high degree of frustration between private companies and local authorities where they cannot collect fees for the call as after all, that's their main income stream.

If you remain absolutely positive that this debt has nothing to do with you, then you must pursue the instructing council for resolution. I am not casting any aspersions here but people do often have cause to forget such things!

I have just retired from 23 years as a local authority enforcement officer so have met this situation thousands of times! :doggieyes:

[Crazy council]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

Hi @Snoopy1948

I have just retired from 23 years as a local authority enforcement officer

ever fancy a chat, i have been researching accounting fraud by councils, in the systems prior accounts going to enforcement,


@js15 Email the head of revenues at you council, direct, simply tell them that you dont owe for that property, and to immediately withdraw all actions

Tell them, tat if any further contact is received from there agents , the bailiffs, you wish them to treat this as a formal complaint into the administration of the council tax liability systems.

Everyone else will just give you the run arround

[bizzybob]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

Hi @Snoopy1948



ever fancy a chat, i have been researching accounting fraud by councils, in the systems prior accounts going to enforcement,


@js15 Email the head of revenues at you council, direct, simply tell them that you dont owe for that property, and to immediately withdraw all actions

Tell them, tat if any further contact is received from there agents , the bailiffs, you wish them to treat this as a formal complaint into the administration of the council tax liability systems.

Everyone else will just give you the run arround

Copy the CEO and Elected Leader and your local council member into the letter and any Formal Complaint

[js15]

Re: Council Tax Payment and Bailiff Harassment

Hi All,
it's me again after few months of pursuing and disputing council tax arrears which isn't mine, The Council Tax team now wrote to me to provide documentary evidence of my identity with NI, birth certificate, passport, or driving licence. Please help me.