Council Tax arrears

Claw_back_money

Hi all
My DD is having a tough time, having dropped out of uni, got into arrears with her rent (which we paid off) and currently living between her BF (also a student) and home with us.
We knew that she had not paid any council tax last year when she was living in a house with students as the sole person working. Too proud to claim benefits even during the weeks she had nil income, she ended the year with debts including credit card, overdraft and us. Yesterday she received a letter from the City Council with a bill for council tax for last year, the term of her lease - 1st July 07 to 31 June 08, which equates to about £700 after discount for being the only person paying. For some of those weeks she was here. 'Here' is a different local authority area.
We know that she will have to pay it and have made that completely clear to her in our phone conversations. Also that we are not going to pay it for her. Please could someone explain the process of what will happen next, obviously the council want her to pay it all by 25th Nov, but she can't.
Please can any one give any info on the following?

What sort of sums will councils accept? Is asking to pay £5/week (for example) for the time being too little for them to contemplate? Although she was paying rate from 1st July, she lived at home until Sept, and then had many weeks before Christmas with no income... presumably thats just 'tough'? Am I right in thinking that council tax is one of the few debts for which you are looking at bailiffs and prisons? As the letter came to our address (not sure how that happened), how will it affect us?

Thanks in advance
Cbm

lincroft1710

Yes, non payment of Council Tax is serious, but bailiffs and imprisonment would only occur where a taxpayer refuses to pay. At £5 pw it will take nearly 3 yrs to pay off, so doubtful if any council would accept this. Your daughter must speak to a senior person in council's revenues and explain her circumstances. She may have been entitled to some form of CT benefit although that may have been forfeited.

If you could loan, not lend, her the money it would solve a lot of problems.

gettingbetter

hi

would also like to say that if she doesnt pay they can apply for bankruptcy,

they did that to me and yes it was all my own fault
please dont let her bury her head and think it will all
go away. it doesnt it comes back and bites you in the bum hard
talk to the council and see what arrangement they can
come too that suits both parties

good luck
kas xx