Council Tax

nat87

Hi all
Would appreciate advice on council tax. I have received a council tax summons for being late, really worried. I need advice on whether I can ring the council and set up a payment plan. I will have the money to pay the arrears and I want to set up a direct debit so this never happens again. Do you think they will agree to this and drop the summons. Sorry if I have posted in wrong forum

TotallyBroke

Yes you can ring them, they will definitely send out a direct debit form for you. You could then arrange with them to pay off the arrears via your normal method.
Be realistic with the amounts you can pay them for the arrears. It will not go down well if you promise them an amount but then fail to pay it.
How old is this arrear?

nat87

Thanks for the reply, I owe 2 months which I can pay off this week. I just want them to withdraw the summons as I am really worried about it.

immoral_angeluk

If you pay it off or arrange to pay it they'll call off the summons. A summons is basically a council's version of a default.

nat87

Thanks for your replies really appreciate it, I will give them a ring on my dinner.

MiniLaura

is it from a debt collection agency? I had a demand from them and tried to set up a payment plan with council but was told I would need to deal soley with DCA - ended up using savings to pay off the amount just so i wouldnt have to deal wiht them again - i was moved from benefits to job so hadnt made any payments for a couple of months and ended up in a mess.

nat87

No its direct from the council, have only just received it so hopefully I can come to some sort of arrangement with them.

MiniLaura

would really advise that - i have ignored in past and nothing came of it but this time it did and wont get in that position again!

TotallyBroke

If you have the money to pay it off, give them a ring on your break. Ask them to send you out the direct debit form (remember to fill it in and post back as soon as you get it) then pay them over the phone the arrears and ask them to send out a letter telling you the summons has now been cancelled as there are no arrears.

nat87

Just spoke to them they cannot drop the summons unless I pay in full.

TotallyBroke

But you said earlier that you can pay the 2 months arrears this week. So that would be paying in full. Ring and pay the 2 months in full, set up the direct debit for the rest of the year.
If you get a court date, go and tell them how you have paid off the arrears and are now paying on time by direct debit. They won't be able to do a thing.