Court summons for Council Tax helpe needed

geckofabulous

Hi A friend of mine has had a court summons for an unpaid council tax bill for around 400 quid, on top of this there are court costs and admin fees of around 40 pounds.

She's tried to set up a DD to pay off the remainder balance before the due date of April, but apprently they have flat out refused her.

Does she have any kind of rights re a payment plan, or does it all have to go through the courts now?

She said they didn't send her any reminders for the outstanding balance

Head-Out-Of-Sand

Hi there,

I had terrible problems with our council over the tax - they repeatedly kept sending me an incorrect bill, which I REPEATEDLY contacted them about over the phone and in writing asking them to correct (they added on a year when the house was full of students only and we had sent them numerous copies of the exemption certificates) and they threatened me with court a lot.

I'm surprised they wont come to an agreement - I don't think the court will take a favourable view if they take to court someone who has already agreed to pay the debt off - most councils will come to an arrangement.

I would recommend that she communicates her willingness to pay in writing (recorded delivery) and if she receives an actual summons it may be worth sending a copy of the letter she has sent them to the court to attempt getting the case struck out - I'm not 100% sure how this works though so hopefully someone with more knowledge will be able to add.

Main thing though is to get in writing with proof of delivery her willingness to pay, and start paying the installments asap to back up that willingness.

Edited to say - I love your username!

Fire_Fox

Don't just offer to pay tho, actually pay. You can usually go down to the offices with your bill and make a payment - do so weekly/ monthly whenever payday comes. It doesn't have to be loads, just more than the ongoing amount if she can. This will stand your friend in good stead if it still goes to court.

Fag_ash_lil

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Don't just offer to pay tho, actually pay. You can usually go down to the offices with your bill and make a payment - do so weekly/ monthly whenever payday comes. It doesn't have to be loads, just more than the ongoing amount if she can. This will stand your friend in good stead if it still goes to court.

Hi,
I don't know if all boroughs have done this , but mine closed their payment office and now they will only accept payment by direct debit or they can send you a payment card ......
Having said that i've asked for a payment card 4 times in the last 2 months and am still waiting for it :rolleyes: ......

terri x

tealady

Hi if your local Council have not responed to your request then contact your local Councillor(s) and complain to him or her. Go and see them or send an email. They will get onto it for you then. If you don't know who they are try the elections office.

moneymare

From experience, it may be that the authority want the backing of a Liability Order before accepting the arrangment. That way, if your friend was to default on the arrangement, the authority then have powers to try to recover the debt - if they made an arrangement without a Liability Order from the Court, then they are just back to square one and have to go through the process again.
HTH