Council tax bailiff help

If you are facing bailiff action over council tax then we recommend that you contact us today. If you have council tax debts, it’s important not to panic. With our help, you could write off a large portion of your debt including Council tax. To find out what options are available to you, simply complete the online form. Our advice is confidential and with no obligation.

✓   Write off unaffordable debt
✓   One monthly repayment
✓   Only pay what you can afford
✓   Stop creditor harassment

An IVA may not be suitable in all circumstances. Fees may apply. Entering into an IVA will affect your credit rating. You could write off up to 80% of your debts upon successful completion of an IVA.(10% of our customers wrote off 80% in the last 12 months, with a typical figure of 25%-75%).

See if you qualify

Don't allow yourself to be bullied by bailiffs:

THE GOLDEN RULE: Never let a bailiff into your home: Keep all doors and windows locked with curtains and blinds closed. You must always protect your home from bailiffs. Council tax arrears are not criminal and is enforced with a Liability Order which does not confer a power to enter your property unless allowed in by the occupant. So if you let them in, you will be in trouble.

Unpaid council tax bills are taken very seriously by local authorities, who are fast to take bailiff action against you to recover council tax arrears. Bailiffs will call at your house threatening to seize your belongings. The council may also take court action to deduct money from your wages, leaving you with even less money to pay your other bills.

If you are behind with council tax you might receive a letter from bailiffs (or enforcement agents) saying they will visit your home to collect payment. Don't ignore this letter as the clock is ticking and bailiffs can visit your home after 7 days. As well as collecting the payment for the debt they can add fees. There are things you can do to stop them coming if you act quickly and contact the supportive team at Bennett Jones.

  • Tell the bailiff to leave and say you’ll speak to their head office to discuss matters further, if the bailiff won't leave then you have a case for harassment.
  • You don't have to allow a bailiff into your property, even if the Bailiff has a warrant. They can only enter your home if you, or a family member over 16, invites them in, or if you leave a door open. They are not allowed to force their way past you or put their foot in the door. Bailiffs can enter by force for an unpaid personal tax bill owed to HMRC or criminal court fines (council tax arrears are not criminal), but this has to be done by a locksmith.
  • Bailiffs use many tactics to lull you into a false sense of security, so do not engage in a conversation with a bailiff. You are not obliged to cooperate in any way. You do not have to confirm your identity or give your name, this applies to the police as well.
  • Don't do anything silly like getting into an argument, swearing at them or throwing things at them. They want you to lose control.
  • A bailiff does not need to enter the property to take control of goods as they could list goods they can see through a window (close any curtains and blinds). If a bailiff lists goods they can see your window, it is your choice whether to sign the controlled goods agreement. If you do not sign, they cannot force entry to your home, and they cannot take control of the goods unless they are invited into your home.
  • The creditor may withdraw the warrant if they think there’s no realistic chance that the bailiffs will be able to recover the money. This means they won’t return to your home. This is why you should never let a bailiff into your home or sign anything they give you.
  • Bailiffs cannot climb over walls or locked gates. The law states that bailiffs may only enter by any usual means.
  • Bailiffs are only allowed to visit your home between 6am-9pm.
  • To escape the negativity associated with their title, bailiffs now call themselves ‘enforcement agents’.
  • Bailiffs aren’t the same as debt collectors. Debt collectors come from private firms and don’t have the same powers to enter your property or seize goods.
  • A bailiff must show ID and authority to enter premises on request. They cannot lie about who they are or why they’re calling.
  • Call 999 if you're being threatened by a Bailiff.
  • Video your interaction. A Bailiff or police officer cannot object to being filmed on your property.
  • After sending you the notice of enforcement the bailiffs have to wait 7 full days before they can visit you.
  • Bailiffs can't come to your home or take any action against you if you can prove you don't owe the debt.
  • Bailiffs are enforcement agents, and have no powers of arrest, and neither do police community support officers (PCSO).
  • Bailiffs cannot discuss your details with neighbours.
  • Bailiffs employ a number of dubious tactics to gain entry to your house. The first is to come across as your friend, saying that they are "just here to help and sort out the situation", remember that all they want is an invitation to enter the property. The second tactic is to intimidate. This often means pretending that they have more powers than they actually have because in most cases they have very little power.
  • A bailiff cannot take your belongings if you are abroad
  • A bailiff cannot watch your house or loiter outside, as they are not acting in the execution of duty. Record the bailiff on video on video and report him to the police (Protection from Harassment Act 2007).
  • Debt collectors have no enforcement power to take goods or enter your property. The most they can do is ask for the money. They sometimes pretend to have bailiff powers.
  • The law states that all money must be paid to the creditor and Bailiffs take their fees last. Pay the creditor and not the bailiff company.
  • Bailiffs cannot usually take mobile phone and computers because the devices contain personal data such as passwords.
  • Sending multiple text messages or calls is not part of the enforcement regulations or procedures and can be recorded.
  • Tell them to leave if they can’t prove who they are and threaten a 999 call.
  • A bailiff is not allowed to break down your door, they must come back with a locksmith who will unlock the door (a rare occurrence).
  • The creditor is liable for bailiffs acting on their behalf and you can bring an action for unlawful bailiff or enforcement action. Send the creditor a "Letter Before Action" which contains how much is owed, why it is owed, how to pay, a deadline and what will happen if they do not pay. Wait for the deadline and then start the claim at your local county court using Form N1.
  • If you get a letter saying bailiffs are going to evict you, find out how to deal with eviction by bailiffs on Shelter’s website.
  • There have been how many documented cases of coercion and underhand tactics by bailiffs. If the police are in attendance they will often side with the bailiffs and sometimes assist. remember that the golden rule is to secure your property and never let the bailiffs enter. You are not obliged to confirm your identity or give any details to a bailiff. Simply ask them to leave and threaten them with an official complaint and legal action.
  • If the bailiff challenges you on what you’ve told them, you should talk to an adviser from the CAB. There are also some independent operators that offer emergency assistance when a bailiff is at the door, one such service is dealingwithbailiffs.
  • Help with council tax arrears
  • Fast response
  • Stop Council Tax Bailiffs
  • Stop legal actions, harassing calls and letters
  • Outstanding ongoing support
  • Save your house, car and other assets
  • No obligation to use our service
  • Operated by a licensed insolvency practitioner regulated by the IPA
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IVA Company

If you have aggressive creditors who are pressing very hard with bailiffs threatening to seize goods or perhaps a bankruptcy order is about to be made against you, it is possible to hold off proceedings by obtaining an interim order from a Court to allow time to hold the Creditors’ Meeting to get an IVA approved. The Interim Order has the effect of freezing all legal proceedings against you for a period of a few weeks.

Bennett Jones has helped thousands of people get out of debt problems. Bennett Jones provides free confidential assessment with all the support you need to become debt-free. You can move forward positively and become debt-free.

An IVA can stop bailiffs, with the exception of unpaid court fines, student loans and child support. All other debts, such as parking tickets, council tax, and high court writs can be paid off using an IVA and Bennett Jones will contact the bailiffs to stop the action.

Bennett Jones has helped thousands of people get out of debt, you can read about their stories and 5* reviews on Trustpilot. We then offer debt help tailored to your individual personal circumstances. The amount of debt clearance will depend on numerous factors such as debt level and affordability.

We will help you get out of debt, with your loans, credit cards, catalogues, payday loans and many other debts. Stop creditors harassing you. Check if you possibly qualify for an Individual Voluntary Arrangement in 60 seconds, by completing the form above. We can do a brief assessment and tell you what documents are required to move forward with your case.

Bennett Jones Team

We could help you get out of debt, with your council tax arrears, loans, credit cards, catalogues, payday loans and many other debts.

With our financial assistance, you could write off a large portion of your debt.  Stop bailiffs and creditors harassing you over personal, business, or tax debts. Bennett Jones has helped thousands of people solve their debt problems.

We specialise in Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA) – a legal solution that allows for unaffordable debts to be written off. Call our debt team today for immediate debt help and advice. We’ve given debt help to thousands of customers, you can see their 5* reviews on Trustpilot.

The sooner you start dealing with your debt, the sooner you’ll have it beaten. If you need some help getting started with a plan, or if you’re not sure about your exact circumstances, then please contact Bennett Jones for free, confidential help. Typically, the earlier you contact us, the better the outcome.