Council Tax Query - Outstanding Balances and Due Dates

damtheman

Hi everyone, this is my first post here and I hope it isn't my last!

I've been loitering on this forum for months now and finding some very useful posts and people who are obviously in similar situations as I but hopefully I can get some direct help regarding my latest "situation"...

Basically during the previous Council Tax year I was two payments behind, no complaints from the Council though I had stressed to them (and the CAB) that I don't have enough money to bring it into line before the end of the year. Though come March 31st (payday) I could pay the final two payments.

Now my problem is my recent contact with a representative of the council, who has tried to stress that the due date for payments is the 7th of each month. And that a summons was instigated but shortly withdrawn regarding the previous period because of the two outstanding payments. The representative continues to say that the 7th (today funnily enough) is set in stone and cannot be changed and if however my payment (ha! impossible!) isn't made then I will be receiving yet another summons.

How do I stand with this? Obviously I cannot, and despite how much people try and poke at me, CANNOT make this payment today but CAN make the payment on the 30th this month. Right now my return email reads;

"Thank you for your email. But unfortunately a deadline of today (7th) is unacceptable. I do not have the money to produce today, like every other bill, you will have to wait till my payday which is the 30th this month.

My paydays do not suit your deadlines, and one of us has to change."

I, obviously do not want a summons for something so benile, but again, I can't make this because I am on a low income, have a budget scheme and my council tax for that month is always paid on the last working day of that month.

What can I do?

Regards,

damtheman

kforshaw

Generally speaking for cash/ manual payments there is a set date (or a limited few) however paying by Direct Debit should give you the option of paying nearer the end of the month/ start of the month.
Our council has 5th, 15th, 22nd and 28th as options - when you set it up - they will revise your bill dates to whichever you choose.

damtheman

Hey kforshaw - thanks for your speedy reply. I've got back to them requesting the payments to be made via DD so hopefully they see that before they issue a "summons"...

lincroft1710

As you're on a low income it may be worth checking with council to see if you are entitled to any council tax benefit.

CIS

They can now legally issue the summons if the reminder has not been paid within 7 days of issue (or the full amount for the year within a further 7 days) They are under no legal obligation to wait to accept another payment arrangement in the reminder has not been settled.

damtheman

That's fair enough. Its just a shame places are so behind in keeping that connection with you. Regardless of the easter weekend, they have failed to contact me since my return email on the 7th.

damtheman

Ok, well they don't seem to like my persistence that they can't get the payment sooner in the month, informing me the last day they'll accept is 15th if a direct debit is setup. It'll just have to be one month behind now. Sheesh.