Partners debts. Do they effect me?

cornz · 25 September 2014 at 5:48PM

My partner has not been paying the council tax for a year. There are now letters from Bristow and sutor dropping through the door amongst others. Can I ask a few questions.

I transfer £300 apx each month into my partners account. £200 for half the rent, £50 for half the council tax and the rest is made up of half the cat food and some of the water bill I pay as she also failed to pay that for well over a year, ignored the letters, ignored 2 CC summonses and obviously had those found in favour of United utilities. So I paid that £700 off. She has been pocketing the money for the council tax. Needless to say im fuming but she buries her head in the sand and seems to not care about the effect it has on me....
I pay for ALL the electric (she pays gas as we only have gas CH), I pay for the car, the phone, internet, insurance (house and pet). I buy EVERYTHING for the house of value, TV, computers, my games console, plus all my other toys (several thousand pounds worth).
Now, as this is a council tax issues, the ramifications are much more serious but she doesn't seem to comprehend this. So, being the cynic I am, I fully expect her to not pay and to ignore the letters. IF the bailiffs arrive, can they take MY stuff. ie the TV, MY car, MY telescope etc etc... I have receipts for most of them but am considering moving all my expensive stuff out. I detest living like this. I have my own debts (bank loan for car), a small ish credit card bill but that's it. I DONT have people chasing me for them as I service them and live within my means, its tight but I manage. Its making me worry as (if im right) I stand to loose almost ALL my stuff to pay of the 10k she owes.... What are MY rights.. Any info appreciated...

jayII · 25 September 2014 at 6:01PM

As I understand it, you're both jointly and severally liable for the council tax, as you live there as a couple. Unfortunately, you giving money to your partner does not stop you from being responsible to ensure it is paid.

So yes, the council tax bill/arrears probably will affect you.

Mojisola · 25 September 2014 at 6:08PM

cornz wrote: »

My partner has not been paying the council tax for a year. There are now letters from Bristow and sutor dropping through the door amongst others. Can I ask a few questions.

I transfer £300 apx each month into my partners account. £200 for half the rent, £50 for half the council tax and the rest is made up of half the cat food and some of the water bill I pay as she also failed to pay that for well over a year, ignored the letters, ignored 2 CC summonses and obviously had those found in favour of United utilities. So I paid that £700 off. She has been pocketing the money for the council tax. Needless to say im fuming but she buries her head in the sand and seems to not care about the effect it has on me....

I hope you've stopped giving her money now! If you're planning to stay together, you need to take control of the finances - get her to give you her share of the outgoings each month and you make sure they are paid.

Seanymph · 25 September 2014 at 6:17PM

Are you registered as living at the address? Do you vote from there? Are the Council Tax bills in both names? Do you have another house you live at?

I think to be honest that Council Tax is one of those bills they can chase you for all of. Sorry.

CIS · 25 September 2014 at 6:43PM

You need to check to see if you've been named as jointly liable on the demand notice or not - if you where then you will have been summonsed and be jointly liable on the liability order.

cornz · 25 September 2014 at 9:47PM

For reasons not relavent, the council tax bill is in her name only, however, we pay full council tax, that is to say there is no single occupancy discount. . The debt is in her name and only she is named on the letters from the DCA.

It is a sad state of affairs this but I cant afford to move out so am stuck between a rock and a hard place. Most of the problem is that she is in denial and thinks by screaming and burying her head in the sand, it will magically go away. If she would talk to me I could help (don't know how really) but doing something is surely better than doing nothing, knowing that every other letter is from a DCA. None to me, but I am directly affected. In fact I feel like its ME that's at fault....

Opinion please... I get on really well with her parents, I don't think they are aware of her situation. Should I tell them that their daughter is getting deeper and deeper into debt and I do my fair share of paying bills and she needs to grow up and get a grip. Im not exactly good with money myself BUT I do understand that bills must be paid, albeit late occasionally.

cornz · 25 September 2014 at 9:59PM

And yes, I have stopped giving her money but I know the row that looms on the horizon when she asks me for it and I tell her now that the bills will be split 50/50 and I will be dealing with them...

DireDebts · 25 September 2014 at 10:55PM

You have told us regarding the same problem more than two years in the past and she has not changed in this time. I ask why are you still there and if you really are wanting to leave, why not to sell your thousands of pounds of toys?

cornz · 25 September 2014 at 11:28PM

Good question. Find myself asking the same thing but why should I have to suffer for her inability to control her finances.

pleasedelete · 26 September 2014 at 8:09AM

Do you earn roughly the same? You seem to have a lot of luxury spending money- does she have the same amount? Do you put financial demands on her that she cant afford (lets just go out tonight etc)

This doesn't sound like a partnership. You come across as quite controlling.

Yes she should have paid the bills but maybe she couldnt afford to?

If you can share a bed and a house you can share a bank account. Why not make all money joint? or if you cant be that open pay a FAIR proportion (based on salary and essential outgoings such as travel) each into a joint account.

heartbreak_star · 26 September 2014 at 8:31AM

Either way, you NEED to get this council tax bill sorted - it can lead to court, attachments of earnings, and possibly prison.

Does she know this?

I would suggest getting in touch with the relevant council and asking if they can take the debt back from the bailiffs, then agreeing and sticking to a payment plan.

Not sure what to advise re: her parents...

Best of luck to both of you.

HBS x

Partners debts. Do they effect me?

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