time limit on council tax

m46obile

can anyone tell me if there is a time limit on council tax as i have just recieved a letter from the baillifs and no prior letters from the council asking for payment from 2001 plus charges thanks

DaisyFlower

I dont think there is a time limit on council tax debt.

lincroft1710

Could you give a few more details please?

anniecave

what exact time period was the debt incurred between? have there been any payments later?

I would assume council tax would be the same as any other debt and would not be able to be enforced in court more than six years on.

From http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/debt_factsheets/liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act.php

Council Tax

The council should not go to the magistrates court and ask for a liability order for council tax if the application is made more than six years after the council tax became due. This is under Regulation 34(3) Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992.
Council tax appears to be “due” when the council sent a demand notice to you which may not be at the same time the council tax rate was set. It is important that you check when the demand was sent as this affects when the 6 year limitation period begins. You can also complain to the Local Government Ombudsman if the demand was not sent out “as soon as practicable” after the rate was set. Phone us for advice.

So if it relates to prior to 2002, unless you were paying for it in 2002 onwards and then they sent you a demand for the balance due, then they cannot legally force you to pay