Help Pls! Council Tax Liability Order

LCT

I've received a council tax liability order in the post today dated with the date of sending as Friday.
I've had no previous summons or court paperwork which our council website states they will send - is this right?

We were aware of the arrears and had submitted our CCCS budget to them last week with an offer of payment, but the letter has arrived today with a liability order dated 7th July on it. I've been in regualr contact with their office the last weeks sorting out an offer of payment.

Can anyone help me?
Does this mean they will contact my employer?

MrsTinks

I would start by calling them and explaining the discrepancy of dates and point out this is the first communication you have had about it - explain you are with CCCS and you are trying to set up a repayment plan. Until you speak to them it's hard to be sure what they'll do but yes they CAN put and attachment of earnings on your salary if they want... but not until I think after you have defaulted on a CCJ...

You might find this page helpful: http://bailiffnamecheck.com/counciltax.htm

CIS

By this stage a Bill, at least 1 reminder and a Summons would be issued before the Liability Order (L/O )is granted.

Once the L/O is granted the council can agree a payment arrangement, attach your earnings/benefits or issue the account to bailiff. If its is issued to a bailiff and returned unpaid then the council can go for bankruptcy or committal to prison.

You need to check what address previous paperwork was sent to - if it was sent to the correct address then proof of postage is proof of receipt as far as serving the paperwork goes.

but not until I think after you have defaulted on a CCJ...

There is no CCJ for council tax non payment , the Liability Order is the magistrates court's nearest equivalent and is what gives the council their powers of recovery - unlike a CCJ the L/O does not go on your credit rating.

Once the L/O is granted then recovery action can start immediately if its an attachment of benefit/earnings, there is a slight delay of around a minimum of 14 days if they choose bailiff action as you need to be served with a further notice first.

bluecowonthebus

Hi there

I have a council tax liability order. My local council (South Somerset) are pretty quick in handing them out. I got it for being late in paying council tax more than on more than two occasions, even though my actual arrears were quite small (I had paid half one month).

I would suggest you call the council tax department and set up a payment plan. If you can stick to this, then it shouldn't go any further.

HTH

LCT

Thanks all
L
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