Court action re council tax

bernardh_2 · 7 August 2004 at 3:16PM

Until July last year I was on Incapacity benefits and my CTAX was being paid 100%.Kingston upon thames sent me a bill months ago for ctax for apl-jul 2003.I explained the position and heard nothing more.Today,I have got a letter saying I am in court later this month for back tax of about £190.Haven`t seen the letter yet as the idiots have sent the letter to Doncaster although they know I live in Suffolk.Mother is redirecting it - but what is my best course of action please?

Ted_Hutchinson · 7 August 2004 at 4:31PM

CAB or your local Welfare Rights Provider should be able to provide a response You can find a list of Welfare Rights Providers at Download BenefitsandWork guide to getting help with your benefits

You may also try Community Legal Service Direct (CLS Direct)

As well as using that website you can access free quality legal information and advice by calling 0845 345 4 345.

bernardh_2 · 9 August 2004 at 2:29PM

Thanks Ted.Unfortunately,cannot download file you suggest.
Spent ages on `phone this morning.CTAX say Housing stopped paying the ctax on 30/3/03.On hold again and HBEN say talk to DSS.Had enough.Off to cab in the morning.

Ted_Hutchinson · 9 August 2004 at 2:37PM

A good source of online Housing/Council Tax Benefit is the newsgroup uk.gov.social-security You can find them here uk.gov.social-security if you haven't a newsreader.

There are a couple of housing benefit officers who post there to clear up procedural matters like this. Though this information is to supplement and not replace the visit to CAB or other welfare rights provider.
The link given previously appears to be working for me so maybe you didn't give it long enought to download.

bernardh_2 · 10 August 2004 at 2:42PM

Just back from CAB. After `phoning Kingston,their advice is to offer to make a repayment offer to keep the bailiffs at bay.I have not been told why I am in ctax arrears as I was on full rebate at the time. CAB say that I only had 52 weeks to appeal in.How - I didn`t even know that it wasn`t being paid,so I could I appeal?
I suppose I`d better write to Kingston by registered post,but I still would like to know how this has occurred.
It seems it`s too late to stop the court case on Aug 23.

bernardh_2 · 31 August 2004 at 10:11PM

I wrote to my MP re this.One letter to the Chief Exec at Kingston and suddenly they are able to find that I was entitled to CTAX rebate.A full refund of the £190 and court costs has been sent.
Many thanks to my MP,David Ruffley,for his help in this.

divadee · 31 August 2004 at 10:13PM

At least your MP sorted this out for you.

they are at long last earning our hard earned money

waaag · 6 October 2004 at 6:30PM

Blimey,I just read this one, (late I know!) I am glad your MP sorted this out, I have had a similar problem. our council is horrendous (NELC.) After two years, of CAB help, other help centre help, council letters, bailiffs turninmg up a few times, council answering no calls/permanently engaged/being cut off/denying person even works there, and complete lack of liaison between staff, my MP stepped in, and yes it turns out that what I have been saying for the past two years 'I do not owe it'... I just have to wait for the council to acknowledge this in writing and get it all wrapped up, then I will sue them and the heavy handed bailiffs, who acted not within their guidelines/code of practice. What a nightmare, and also at the same time I was involved in a very serious road accident, sustaining very bad injuries, and unable to even walk, though the same court dealt with it - merely fining the dangerous driver,(he didn't give way or clean his windows) a very small fine - so the court was familiar with my circumstances - yet gave the go ahead for the liability order, though I explained I didn't owe it and produced evidence and documents. I even had a 'solicitor' who after 6 minutes said 'well the council and the magistrates all pee in the same pot - they are like a mafia - don't even bother fighting just pay it'... I complained to his superiors, too, and always hoped I'd win through with this, despite a massive struggle and having to listen to people who told me just pay it don't cause a fuss!! I cannot really believe the incompetence for all this time, of the council and the severe stress I have been caused, not to mention embarrassment.

bernardh_2 · 7 October 2004 at 1:33PM

The reply from Kingston said that they wrote to my old address instead of the address on file and it was sent back marked "gone away". Funny that. So,because I did not answer that letter, they sent the summons details to my new address.Idiots.
The local CAB were useless in suggesting that I offer to pay a debt I didn`t owe in instalments.
Thanks again to my MP for his help.

waaag · 7 October 2004 at 7:03PM

Yes, also I was advised by CAB, 'solicitor' and another help advice centre x2 to pay off in installments, a debt which I didn't owe. Are they on a commission.....!!!??? ;D The only USEFUL advice I got was on this website!

Very late in the day I now receive advice from other people... 'did you know if you ever were forced to pay for whatever reason, or go to jail (as I was told) then you can pay it at £1 per week, like this you are not actually REFUSING to pay....also you can produce a receipt to say that you have sold the entire contents of your house to someone for a penny - and the bailiffs cannot take a sausage.....'!! worth knowing...

lumbo_2 · 7 December 2006 at 7:35AM

I was in a similar situ and asked if I could pay instalments but was told couldn,t as hadn,t let them know early enough that I was in difficulty!Was livid as had to boro moni from relative.I always thought that as long as I was paying something the councils couldn,t refuse your offer to pay what you could afford?

Court action re council tax

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