Help with council tax installments

PRINCESSX87
PRINCESSX87 Posts: 969 Forumite
in Old Threads
Hi,

I've recently got a letter from my local council, Making me aware of the fact that my partner & I have fallen behind with our council tax installments. Ive written to them in the past, asking if there is any way i could extend my payments as they are a little on the steep side. Even with council tax benefit (I think our entitlement of this is around £10 a week.) Now i'm over £125.00 in arrears.

I have spoken to the council. One advisor has said to me that they can extend the payments. But the others have now said that this isnt possible. So im stuck between a rock & hard place.

I'm slightly worried now that the council going to think im a non payer rather then someone who is just struggling like many others at the moment - So any advice you can give me would be great. :o
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Comments

  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    I have spoken to the council. One advisor has said to me that they can extend the payments. But the others have now said that this isnt possible. So im stuck between a rock & hard place.

    The council don't have to allow any extension to instalments above the statutory minimum although many will if you speak with the right person. It would be worth asking to speak with the senior or principal officer.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • dancingfairy
    dancingfairy Posts: 9,069 Forumite
    Have you written to them with an offer of payment (what you can actually afford) with a budget? Do you not have the means to pay each month -ie by standing order or over the phone or in person?
    I would get some advice on a budget (if needs be), draw up a proposal, write to the council and then even if they ignore you/refuse just stick to it and each month make a payment of x amount.
    They can extend the payments for the extra 2 months into Feb and Mar if they so wish. Itwill come down to the discretion of the person you spoke to (although they will be under pressure to prove that they have collected 90% of the outstanding council tax by the end of Jan etc so will be concerned it will affect their figures) but hey if you can't pay, you can't pay. All you can do is the best you can and keep communicating.
    Best of Luck
    df
    P.S You can try and pop in/phone up and ask to speak to a senior revenue/council tax official but if this proves fruitless then go for the letter writing approach.
    Making my money go further with MSE :j
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  • CAB_National_Representative
    CAB_National_Representative Posts: 220 Organisation Representative
    PRINCESSX87 wrote: »
    Hi,

    I've recently got a letter from my local council, Making me aware of the fact that my partner & I have fallen behind with our council tax installments. Ive written to them in the past, asking if there is any way i could extend my payments as they are a little on the steep side. Even with council tax benefit (I think our entitlement of this is around £10 a week.) Now i'm over £125.00 in arrears.

    I have spoken to the council. One advisor has said to me that they can extend the payments. But the others have now said that this isnt possible. So im stuck between a rock & hard place.

    I'm slightly worried now that the council going to think im a non payer rather then someone who is just struggling like many others at the moment - So any advice you can give me would be great. :o

    Hi PrincessX87 - we'd recommend contacting your local bureau as soon as possible and arranging a session with one of their advisers. Many of our bureaux have direct contacts with departments in their local councils, and our advisers can also help with letters and negotiating payments to clear debts.
    “Official CAB Representative
    I am an official representative of CAB. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to questions on the CAB Board. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. If you believe I’ve broken any rules please report my post to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com as usual"
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