Sudden Council Tax

Esqulax

Ahh.. the wrong end of the stick was had by me
I dont want it to get to court, im in and out of courts enough with my job
I think i have some wiggle room on a credit card to cover a few of the bills (Wiggle room was left for this reason)
It will increase my debt slightly, but i have a plan that starts moving from the coming month.. just wasnt expecting this!
Thanks for the advice everyone!

1984ReturnsForReal_2

If your going to use a card you might as well delay it as long as you can & are comfortable with.

If I had to put it on a card it would be the week of court & I believe you get charged extra for ccard payments.....

Esqulax

Was gonna pay the C tax from the wages directly, and the bills from the card.

Purpletopaz

I work in CT, and Our local council are quite reasonable when it comes to bills like this . If its your first bill and not a FINAL. Then ask them for a new bill with the discount deducted ( this will give you a bit more time) and ask if there is anyway you could spread the payments, to take you through jan to march.( I work in call centre, and this happens alot, Some people forget to register, thought they had set up DD ETC )
Our local council is offering this to people in difficulties at the moment. So its worth a try. and If you can make a payment while on the phone that would look more favourable.

When CT issue Summons its at a magistrates court and there is no reason that you have to attend unless you do not agree you are liable for the amount.( you would still be charges costs, then if still not paid they would go back to the courts for a liabilty order, and costs, if still not paid then passed to Baliffs )

Issuing you with a new bill for 25 % will give you a bit of breathing space. If it is a bill you have received, then you would prob have about 7 days after that they would send a reminder saying pay within 7 days, then about another 7 days for a FINAL notice, which gives you 7 days to pay so you do have a bit of time even if they will not let you have payments till march.

The council I work at does not charge extra for CC payments so check that too.

Good luck !

Esqulax

Thanks purpletopaz!
Silly council says on the letter that its open 0800-1900, but on the phone it says its closed, and repeats these opening hours, when its clearly a quarter past.
was hoping to get this call done before work! Grrr!

::EDIT::
My mistake.. theyre still on 'Christmas' opening times, and thats 9am.

RobertoMoir

Esqulax wrote: »

Thanks purpletopaz!
Silly council says on the letter that its open 0800-1900, but on the phone it says its closed, and repeats these opening hours, when its clearly a quarter past.
was hoping to get this call done before work! Grrr!

::EDIT::
My mistake.. theyre still on 'Christmas' opening times, and thats 9am.

I'd still ask for an arrangement to pay on the bill with single person's discount to spread it over a few months (unless this really doesn't help you either way). If they say "no" then they won't increase your bill just for asking, and if this is a first bill rather than a final demand they may be inclined to be flexible. Taking locals who are trying to pay but just can't do it all in one go to court doesn't do anything to help them and costs money that would be better saved to spend on tracking down the actual refuseniks.

roguebrogue

Hi I just wanted to add my two cents.

I've had similar from council tax, right up until I was issued with a summons and I rang them the day before it was due in court, and they arranged a payment plan for me for the next few months.

This was Cardiff Council. Who I must say, I've always found really helpful when it comes to council tax arrears (of which I've had many).

jennifernil

Esqulax wrote: »

Its 07/07/09 till 31/03/10
7th was when i moved in, and my contract ends on the 6th of next month.. although im hoping to stay here in a periodic tenancy till the end of march anyways.
Just read the letter.. its 838 owed.. the 860 was the annual charge...
So with my single person discound that takes it to 628.50

If it is for just under 9 months, and the annual charge is £860, surely £838 owed is wrong? It's more like £645 before the single person discount. Another 25% off makes it about £483.

Away to fetch my calculator now.......

RobertoMoir

jennifernil wrote: »

If it is for just under 9 months, and the annual charge is £860, surely £838 owed is wrong? It's more like £645 before the single person discount. Another 25% off makes it about £483.

Away to fetch my calculator now.......

Unless the £860 is either the charge for the period specified, or the charge for the full year with the single person's discount applied.

DVardysShadow

Esqulax wrote: »

Its 07/07/09 till 31/03/10
7th was when i moved in, and my contract ends on the 6th of next month.. although im hoping to stay here in a periodic tenancy till the end of march anyways.
Just read the letter.. its 838 owed.. the 860 was the annual charge...
So with my single person discound that takes it to 628.50

That is just under 9 months worth. You are just under 6 months in. Can you offer £400 now? That will bring you more or less up to present date.