Councils send bailiffs in every 15 minutes (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Councils send bailiffs in every 15 minutes
1:10pm Thursday 22nd November 2012 in News By Neil Vowles
A bailiff bangs on a door to recover council debts at least once every 15 minutes in Sussex.
Councils across Sussex used bailiffs on 35,000 occasions in the last financial year as they chased up unpaid council tax, car parking fines and other unpaid bills.
Figures obtained by The Argus show that councils used bailiffs to chase at least £7.5 million in unpaid fines and taxes.
Charities working with people on low incomes say they fear that the use of bailiffs could increase even more in April next year when Government cuts to benefits take effect.
The responses from ten county, city and borough councils across the county show that bailiffs were used to pursue unpaid business rates of more than £20,000 and for unpaid parking tickets of just £5.
Councils made use of bailiffs on more than 500 more occasions than the previous financial year and pursued debts totalling almost £1 million more.
Brighton and Hove City Council used bailiffs almost 15,000 times in 2011/12 – an average of 40 a day.
Two thirds of these were used to pursue unpaid parking tickets compared to just 23 parking fines chased up by Chichester District Council over the same period.
Unpaid bills
Lewes District Council sent bailiffs to businesses owing more than £20,000 in business rates on five occasions since 2008, but failed to recover a single penny.
Eastbourne Borough Council used bailiffs to recover a range of unpaid bills including the boarding fees of stray dogs and unpaid hire fees for sports pitches and halls.
Tony Greenstein from the Brighton Unemployed Centre said: “I think councils are sending in the bailiffs first and asking questions later which causes considerable distress for people.
“It’s going to get much, much worse come April.
“In many cases it’s uneconomical for the council because if it sends bailiffs in to people who can’t pay, then it’s the council that have to pay and bailiffs don’t come cheap.”
He added that he advised visitors to the centre not to allow bailiffs into their home as they had no legal right of entry.
Anne Duggan, money adviser at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Hove, said she was also concerned that there could be a lot more who will be liable in April, but added: “I don’t know what else the council can do because our services have to be paid for.”
A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said if a resident failed to pay their council tax, officials would send a bill, then a reminder, a summons and finally a Liability Order notification letter.
He added sending bailiffs was a “last resort” but the council has “a duty to residents who pay their council tax and parking fines to pursue residents who do not”.
A Chichester District Council spokeswoman said: “The use of bailiffs is one of a number of enforcement options we use.”
See the latest news headlines from The Argus:
- Author Peter James 'lucky to be alive' following 70mph racing crash
- Hove murder: wanted man phones The Argus
- Shoreham Rugby Club holding charity barbecue and fun day
- Police investigate spate of car crime across Sussex
- Sussex Police get Chinese book of sayings as thank you gift
Add us to your circles on Google+
Comments(34)
worthingite
says...
2:21pm Thu 22 Nov 12
pjwilk
says...
3:29pm Thu 22 Nov 12
funkyyoyo
says...
3:33pm Thu 22 Nov 12
Southamptoncandoone
says...
4:08pm Thu 22 Nov 12
sbiscorrupt
says...
4:09pm Thu 22 Nov 12
simples...
davyboy
says...
4:37pm Thu 22 Nov 12
funkyyoyo wrote:what is the correct size then? have you measured EVERY bay? i must say it is no surprise about the bailliffs, but councils need to use more tact and diplomacy. that way, people would be more forthcoming with their payments. i would get less money, but have guaranteed payments.
the council has a duty bla bla bla,the council also has a duty to paint legally enforceable parking bays throughout the entire bn postcode area,so i wonder how many of these unpaid tickets are because of that,time to get the spade out and dig deaper!!!!
rubberflipper
says...
5:14pm Thu 22 Nov 12
All debt should be settled in a claims court whether large or small. These Bailiff thugs who can enter a home have no place in a modern society. This practice must end.
VoxUnpopuli
says...
6:04pm Thu 22 Nov 12
rubberflipper wrote:So having got an award in the claims court, what do you do if the debt is still not paid? Um......er......send the bailiffs round of course! Why do I get the felling that if The Argus said that the Council Tax wasn't being collected you'd all be moaning that the bailiffs WEREN'T being sent round?
The system of using a Bailiff is a medieval practice that should be scrapped. That it is allowed to continue is a measure of government "Orwellian control".
All debt should be settled in a claims court whether large or small. These Bailiff thugs who can enter a home have no place in a modern society. This practice must end.
Serf
says...
6:09pm Thu 22 Nov 12
If a bailiff arrives at your doorstep, refuse them access. Some bailiffs will try to trick you into granting them access. The favourite cons being 1) Can I come in and discuss this in private, you don't want your neighbours to hear your business. 2) It is raining/cold/windy, can I step into your hallway. 3) If you don't let me in, I will call the police.
If you grant them access, they can come back at a later date and because they have previously had access, they can then force entry.
Do not let bailiffs bully you. Refuse them access. However do not ignore the debt. Contact the creditor and tell them that you will never give bailiffs access. Then try and reach a payment plan that you can afford. The Citizens Advice Bureau will also give you advice and negotiate on your behalf.
stoner1690
says...
6:17pm Thu 22 Nov 12
Corn Hill
says...
6:47pm Thu 22 Nov 12
Serf wrote:Sound advice *thumbs up*
The bailiffs can only seize your goods if they have been granted access to your home. The distress warrant does not give them automatic right of access.
If a bailiff arrives at your doorstep, refuse them access. Some bailiffs will try to trick you into granting them access. The favourite cons being 1) Can I come in and discuss this in private, you don't want your neighbours to hear your business. 2) It is raining/cold/windy, can I step into your hallway. 3) If you don't let me in, I will call the police.
If you grant them access, they can come back at a later date and because they have previously had access, they can then force entry.
Do not let bailiffs bully you. Refuse them access. However do not ignore the debt. Contact the creditor and tell them that you will never give bailiffs access. Then try and reach a payment plan that you can afford. The Citizens Advice Bureau will also give you advice and negotiate on your behalf.
rubberflipper
says...
7:18pm Thu 22 Nov 12
VoxUnpopuli wrote:If a court orders the debtor to pay, then a payment plan should be organised depending on the person's income.
rubberflipper wrote:So having got an award in the claims court, what do you do if the debt is still not paid? Um......er......send the bailiffs round of course! Why do I get the felling that if The Argus said that the Council Tax wasn't being collected you'd all be moaning that the bailiffs WEREN'T being sent round?
The system of using a Bailiff is a medieval practice that should be scrapped. That it is allowed to continue is a measure of government "Orwellian control".
All debt should be settled in a claims court whether large or small. These Bailiff thugs who can enter a home have no place in a modern society. This practice must end.
If the debtor refuses to pay or misses payments then a forced bankruptcy order could be applied.
It is very simple really!
rubberflipper
says...
7:20pm Thu 22 Nov 12
VoxUnpopuli wrote:If any person refuses to pay Council Tax then they should be jailed - depending on their circumstances.
rubberflipper wrote:So having got an award in the claims court, what do you do if the debt is still not paid? Um......er......send the bailiffs round of course! Why do I get the felling that if The Argus said that the Council Tax wasn't being collected you'd all be moaning that the bailiffs WEREN'T being sent round?
The system of using a Bailiff is a medieval practice that should be scrapped. That it is allowed to continue is a measure of government "Orwellian control".
All debt should be settled in a claims court whether large or small. These Bailiff thugs who can enter a home have no place in a modern society. This practice must end.
leobrighton
says...
7:46pm Thu 22 Nov 12
AmboGuy
says...
8:38pm Thu 22 Nov 12
sbiscorrupt wrote:Another pearl of wisdom by Comrade sbiscorrupt. Thanks for your input.
removal of implied right of access...
simples...
John Steed
says...
8:48pm Thu 22 Nov 12
a couple of well known but disabled car dealers never pay rates but never get harrased, they both have a long history of not paying rent, domestic or commercial, the word is now that houses of ill repute are more profitable than cars. .
Somethingsarejustwrong
says...
10:10pm Thu 22 Nov 12
AmboGuy wrote:Frankly, I have only read one semi-sensible post from this xxxxxx, relating to car parking
sbiscorrupt wrote:Another pearl of wisdom by Comrade sbiscorrupt. Thanks for your input.
removal of implied right of access...
simples...
greeg2
says...
10:13pm Thu 22 Nov 12
Ballroom Blitz
says...
10:31pm Thu 22 Nov 12
I'd love to know. Maybe the Argus can submit a FOI on our behalf.
pjwilk
says...
10:33pm Thu 22 Nov 12
greeg2 wrote:Easy if you have the money.
No sympathy I'm afraid.My advice to anyone with baillifs at their door,pay your bills and it won't happen.
greeg2
says...
10:44pm Thu 22 Nov 12
pjwilk wrote:Get it is the answer,I do.Listen,it's the rest of us who pay for the ones that don't,so refrain from sticking up for them.
greeg2 wrote: No sympathy I'm afraid.My advice to anyone with baillifs at their door,pay your bills and it won't happen.Easy if you have the money.
meaty loaf
says...
12:50am Fri 23 Nov 12
greeg2 wrote:greeg2, you're a half wit who knows nothing about the wider world and only about your own safe little cocoon in which you live. What would you do if someone who owed you a significant amount of money legally bankrupted themselves or went into liquidation leaving you in debt as a result of their actions? I doubt very much if you can answer this question as you seem to give very little thought to your comments. Your silence on this matter will speak volumes.
pjwilk wrote:Get it is the answer,I do.Listen,it's the rest of us who pay for the ones that don't,so refrain from sticking up for them.greeg2 wrote: No sympathy I'm afraid.My advice to anyone with baillifs at their door,pay your bills and it won't happen.Easy if you have the money.
nosolution
says...
1:39am Fri 23 Nov 12
sbiscorrupt
says...
4:27am Fri 23 Nov 12
AmboGuy wrote:How did you become so thick?...
sbiscorrupt wrote:Another pearl of wisdom by Comrade sbiscorrupt. Thanks for your input.
removal of implied right of access...
simples...
Did it take a lot of practice?
If you have the ability, I suggest you google it - who knows, you might even learn something!
HJarrs
says...
9:16am Fri 23 Nov 12
leobrighton wrote:And replace it with what? Perhaps you would like to provide a solution as I would still like the bins emptied, the street lights on and a say in what is done in my city. I certainly wouldn't trust utility companies, look at what they have done with the price of gas, water and electricity!
The council just doesn't care about the economics because it is us that pays. Jason Kitkat goes on about how the existence of local councils is being threatened by government cuts as if its a bad thing. Getting rid of the hated local councils would be the best thing that could ever happen to this country the waste and ineffiency on an epic scale is breathtaking yet most people are totally oblivious to it. Get rid of all of them.
AmboGuy
says...
1:46pm Fri 23 Nov 12
sbiscorrupt wrote:Hush lad. Calm down and get back to your Cowley Club meeting you drain on society.
AmboGuy wrote:How did you become so thick?...
sbiscorrupt wrote:Another pearl of wisdom by Comrade sbiscorrupt. Thanks for your input.
removal of implied right of access...
simples...
Did it take a lot of practice?
If you have the ability, I suggest you google it - who knows, you might even learn something!
Maybe when you grow up you'll look back at this period of your life and wonder how you could have been so misguided and naive.
Palace of Wisdom
says...
1:51pm Fri 23 Nov 12
greeg2
says...
4:16pm Fri 23 Nov 12
meaty loaf wrote:"What would you do if someone who owed you a significant amount of money legally bankrupted themselves or went into liquidation leaving you in debt as a result of their actions?"If I was stupid enough to get myself in that position,I'd live with it.But I'm not and don't have to.Voila,that's my answer.
greeg2 wrote:greeg2, you're a half wit who knows nothing about the wider world and only about your own safe little cocoon in which you live. What would you do if someone who owed you a significant amount of money legally bankrupted themselves or went into liquidation leaving you in debt as a result of their actions? I doubt very much if you can answer this question as you seem to give very little thought to your comments. Your silence on this matter will speak volumes.pjwilk wrote:Get it is the answer,I do.Listen,it's the rest of us who pay for the ones that don't,so refrain from sticking up for them.greeg2 wrote: No sympathy I'm afraid.My advice to anyone with baillifs at their door,pay your bills and it won't happen.Easy if you have the money.
VoxUnpopuli
says...
4:29pm Fri 23 Nov 12
rubberflipper wrote:And who will enforce the bankruptcy order? Bailiffs. Who will arrest non-payers and take them to prison? Bailiffs.
VoxUnpopuli wrote:If a court orders the debtor to pay, then a payment plan should be organised depending on the person's income.
rubberflipper wrote:So having got an award in the claims court, what do you do if the debt is still not paid? Um......er......send the bailiffs round of course! Why do I get the felling that if The Argus said that the Council Tax wasn't being collected you'd all be moaning that the bailiffs WEREN'T being sent round?
The system of using a Bailiff is a medieval practice that should be scrapped. That it is allowed to continue is a measure of government "Orwellian control".
All debt should be settled in a claims court whether large or small. These Bailiff thugs who can enter a home have no place in a modern society. This practice must end.
If the debtor refuses to pay or misses payments then a forced bankruptcy order could be applied.
It is very simple really!
VoxUnpopuli
says...
4:29pm Fri 23 Nov 12
rubberflipper wrote:And who will enforce the bankruptcy order? Bailiffs. Who will arrest non-payers and take them to prison? Bailiffs.
VoxUnpopuli wrote:If a court orders the debtor to pay, then a payment plan should be organised depending on the person's income.
rubberflipper wrote:So having got an award in the claims court, what do you do if the debt is still not paid? Um......er......send the bailiffs round of course! Why do I get the felling that if The Argus said that the Council Tax wasn't being collected you'd all be moaning that the bailiffs WEREN'T being sent round?
The system of using a Bailiff is a medieval practice that should be scrapped. That it is allowed to continue is a measure of government "Orwellian control".
All debt should be settled in a claims court whether large or small. These Bailiff thugs who can enter a home have no place in a modern society. This practice must end.
If the debtor refuses to pay or misses payments then a forced bankruptcy order could be applied.
It is very simple really!
sbiscorrupt
says...
6:12pm Fri 23 Nov 12
AmboGuy wrote:As I've said before Ambo...
sbiscorrupt wrote:Hush lad. Calm down and get back to your Cowley Club meeting you drain on society.
AmboGuy wrote:How did you become so thick?...
sbiscorrupt wrote:Another pearl of wisdom by Comrade sbiscorrupt. Thanks for your input.
removal of implied right of access...
simples...
Did it take a lot of practice?
If you have the ability, I suggest you google it - who knows, you might even learn something!
Maybe when you grow up you'll look back at this period of your life and wonder how you could have been so misguided and naive.
Your assumptions are so far off the mark, but they give me agood laugh...
If you want to know a few things about common law, then I'd be happy to help out a whippersnapper like you...
If not, then you can just carry on being an ignorant little ****!
AmboGuy
says...
9:42pm Fri 23 Nov 12
sbiscorrupt wrote:So you're changing your story now? You've said in the past you were a university student yet now you're calling me a 'whippersnapper'.
AmboGuy wrote:As I've said before Ambo...
sbiscorrupt wrote:Hush lad. Calm down and get back to your Cowley Club meeting you drain on society.
AmboGuy wrote:How did you become so thick?...
sbiscorrupt wrote:Another pearl of wisdom by Comrade sbiscorrupt. Thanks for your input.
removal of implied right of access...
simples...
Did it take a lot of practice?
If you have the ability, I suggest you google it - who knows, you might even learn something!
Maybe when you grow up you'll look back at this period of your life and wonder how you could have been so misguided and naive.
Your assumptions are so far off the mark, but they give me agood laugh...
If you want to know a few things about common law, then I'd be happy to help out a whippersnapper like you...
If not, then you can just carry on being an ignorant little ****!
If you're going to lie then at least remember which lies you've said in the past on this forum.
Still, you have given us all a good laugh.
Somethingsarejustwrong
says...
9:26pm Sat 24 Nov 12
AmboGuy wrote:Pathetic, sbiscorrupt is pathetic!
sbiscorrupt wrote:So you're changing your story now? You've said in the past you were a university student yet now you're calling me a 'whippersnapper'.
AmboGuy wrote:As I've said before Ambo...
sbiscorrupt wrote:Hush lad. Calm down and get back to your Cowley Club meeting you drain on society.
AmboGuy wrote:How did you become so thick?...
sbiscorrupt wrote:Another pearl of wisdom by Comrade sbiscorrupt. Thanks for your input.
removal of implied right of access...
simples...
Did it take a lot of practice?
If you have the ability, I suggest you google it - who knows, you might even learn something!
Maybe when you grow up you'll look back at this period of your life and wonder how you could have been so misguided and naive.
Your assumptions are so far off the mark, but they give me agood laugh...
If you want to know a few things about common law, then I'd be happy to help out a whippersnapper like you...
If not, then you can just carry on being an ignorant little ****!
If you're going to lie then at least remember which lies you've said in the past on this forum.
Still, you have given us all a good laugh.
Algeria Touchshriek says...
2:06pm Thu 22 Nov 12