In September we represented a vulnerable 76-year-old man in receipt of Housing and Council Tax Benefits. His local council made arrangements for him to repay overpayments made to him after he failed to inform them that his State Retirement Pension had changed on a number of occasions.

Despite the arrangement with the council to pay off the arrears, our client was shocked one day at 7.30am to find heavy-handed bailiffs at his door seeking payment.

The bailiffs consequently attached additional attendance costs and set a payment rate that was substantially higher than that originally agreed. This rate was unaffordable for our client considering he is currently in receipt of benefits.

After he was referred to us, we wrote to the council and bailiff manager on his behalf stating the law and detailing our client’s vulnerable financial situation. As a direct result of our communication with them, the bailiffs withdrew the unreasonable costs and the council agreed to a low monthly payment which our client can now afford.