Baliffs

[Guest Rebel=UK=]

Any1 watch it on BBC 1 just now . did you see that woman who didnt pay here council Tax, Baliffs come to take her stuff found that was nothing to take. She has two jobs struggling as a single parent right wih 2 kids. She would have been better off claiming benifits of the British puplic,but chosing to work, Then you've get these immigrants coming in claiming benifits willy nilly.

Annoyed me :censored:

[Smiffy99]

Whoa there boy.....

I agree that it was very commendable that she had two jobs. I also think it was excellent that she chose to work instead of claiming benefit which would have probably made her better off,

but,

I hate the council tax as much as the next man and I dont think there is at present a political party that could run the country properly the fact remains that there are more than enough ways and means of mitigating council tax if you are deemed to be on a low income. Council tax benefit is available to those who work - it is means tested, family tax credit, the minimum wage etc etc, all are there to ensure that everyone has a minimum standard.

That she had a council tax bill means that she was deemed able to afford it. That she was deemed able to afford it meant that she was earning suffcient to pay it, or a proportion of it. That the bailiffs went in shows that she has ignored multiple demands from the council who, had she spoken to them would have allowed her time to pay. Even if she was not aware of any benefit available at the time they would look at the case and if warranted back date the benefit to mitigate her payments.

That she smokes, can afford to redecorate her house with bailiffs knocking on the door and no valuables at all would seem to me to indicate that she has a problem with her priorities.

Good for her that she is trying, but the fact remains she will only have to pay what she is deemed able to afford and if she chooses to spend it on other things then she must take the consequences.

As to immigrants that is an entirely different matter that is best left alone IMHO.

[Sir Radfordin]

When flicking between the adverts of something that was on the other side...ok ok I confess The Bill...I saw this bit.

She may well be better off claiming benefits - but I wonder if her life would be any better? Would she be any happier? My understanding is that the government has tried pretty hard to make sure that anyone who chooses work over benefits should be better off. If she hasn't claimed all the is entitled to then that is an issue perhaps to address.

As smiffy99 points out she was smoking (and we all know what that costs!) and there was evidence that she was decorating. Where does the money for that come from?

As for immigration...agree that is totally different. I'm inclinded to agree with the government that immigration is actually doing more harm than good and would love to see some unbiased statistics that showed what the true cost/benfit of the immigrants coming to this country are.

My view is that many of the problems faced today stem back to one thing - the breakdown of the family unit.

[nellie2]

Anyone can go into a jobcentre and ask for a better off calculation, you will be advised, based on your income or potential income if you are thinking of accepting a job, what inwork benefits you are entitled to ie; working tax credit, council tax/housing benefit etc.

No one needs to struggle on their own in ignorance of their entitlement, you only need to ask.

[popeye]

Speaking from personal experience, there is plenty of help and money available if you swallow your pride and complete the correct forms.

Having been retired on grounds of ill health, I get incapacity benefit, pension credit and automatically council tax benefit and I have just received a letter to say I may get help with my morgage.

C.A.B. is a great help to anyone who asks.

[andsome]

It always amuses me when people who are being interviewed are not only smoking, but frequently have a large wide screen television in the corner, and claim that they are so hard up that they can only afford fish and chips for the main meal. Fish and chips is now an expensive meal, We can get a dinner each off a 4lb chicken, with another good dinner the next day, then strip the last of the flesh off the bones, boil up the carcase, add fresh veg and garlic, and make a delicious casserole for the day after that. There is no need for anyone in this country not to have a nutritious diet.

[Smiffy99]

If anyone is faced with bailiffs some things to remember -

Never hold the door open but open the door, step outside and close it behind you. Bailiffs cannot residential property enter by force and must be "invited". If they so much as get a foot in the door they are "in" (Hence the saying). (If you noticed on the program the blonde bailiff would immediately step straight into the hallway, almost pushing the occupier aside - good tactics)

Never leave any windows open or on the latch - if a window is open the bailiff can enter through it. If it is "on the latch" it is considered to be open and he can break the lock to open it fully.

Bailiffs can break into outbuildings.

Bailiffs will call first thing int he morning - this catches you offguard and also is the time you are most likely to be in.

Bailiffs cannot take "tools of the trade" so you are all computer consultants!

Bailiffs can take "Walking Possession" - this means that they can "touch" an item to "possess" it and thereafter theave it in situ. If you remove it you are ineffect removing their property and liable. (Imagine someone running around the house with his new opteron computer above his head with a bailiff in hot pursuit trying to "touch" it!). :P

90% of bailiffs are on commission. 80% do not want any aggro (there are always some).

They are there to do a job and have heard every excuse under the sun and then some. However, get shirty with them and they will do likewise. They have far more power in the situation than you do and can make your life hell. Stay calm, be polite, and try to come to an arrangement with them, on their first visit they may well take a cheque from you so offer to pay say half, keep them sweet and then as soon as they have gone - MOVE HOUSE!!!