Council Tax Summons - Help

Ames

I've always found that the only way to get anywhere with Leeds City Council is to use the complaint form on the website for all communication. Occasionally I've also had to contact my councillor. Normal post/phonecalls just don't get to the people who have access to the shared braincell.

10past6

never-in-doubt wrote: »

It is wrong for them to issue a summons for a debt that is not legally overdue, surely?

You need to ascertain why they've issued the claim, “if” they've issued the claim in error (before litigation was required) then you have grounds to issue your own claim to recover any out of pocket expenses (telephone calls / research / postage / stationary / time attending court to issue the claim, etc., etc.,

never-in-doubt

Ames wrote: »

I've always found that the only way to get anywhere with Leeds City Council is to use the complaint form on the website for all communication. Occasionally I've also had to contact my councillor. Normal post/phonecalls just don't get to the people who have access to the shared braincell.

Ahhh, that's why the change of Councils - i've moved to the outskirts which now makes my bill Selby District - even though I do live in Leeds lol.... you'll know what I mean by that being you're local

So although Leeds have history of my payments - Selby don't.....

planning_ahead_2

Found it

Just because I know you love all that legal mumbo jumbo

Edited to add:

(3) The number of such instalments—

(a) where the notice is issued before the beginning of the relevant year or at any time in the period beginning on the first day of that year and ending on 31st May of that year, shall be 10;

never-in-doubt

10past6 wrote: »

You need to ascertain why they've issued the claim, “if” they've issued the claim in error (before litigation was required) then you have grounds to issue your own claim to recover any out of pocket expenses (telephone calls / research / postage / stationary / time attending court to issue the claim, etc., etc.,

As per PM mate.

I paid £300 in December as they sent a reminder/threat. I thought that would shut them up. Then in January I got a reminder/final bill advising me I lost my rights to pay in instalments to which I responded with my own letter telling them it would be paid in full before the end of the year (i.e. end of March). Then I thought about it and sent a cheque last week, therefore i'd already told them well in advance that I would clear the balance and also that i'd send payment again in February - which I done last week.

See where i'm going with this? Its as though they are ignoring my letters as well.... i'll send an email but want to check my rights before I do, thus my posting here.

I can pay it off tomorrow if necessary, but why should I let them bully people - it could be someone less fortunate than myself therefore i'd like to stay and fight assuming I was skint - what can/will they do?

I'll be a guinnea pig for the troops on here, for want of a better description lol You know me, love a fight.

RobertoMoir

Fact is that council tax becomes due, in full, on the first day of the c'tax year. RAS called it right imho. The council then allow you to make payments over the course of that year as a favour to you.

This makes it easy for them to withdraw the privilege (not a right) of paying by instalments pretty much any old time your payments late. As such, they'll be delighted that you've paid a big chunk off but I wouldn't expect it to halt their efforts. Worth ringing and asking though.

As for previous years, not sure if you've seen my comments on the other c'tax thread today that explains that:

RobertoMoir wrote: »

Each council tax "year" is essentially a seperate debt or account, however you want to think of it, kinda like having 3 different credit cards with one lender. This is why you have 3 different letters for each year they say he owes on. That's probably something you know already but just making sure we're starting from the same place on the page.

never-in-doubt

RobertoMoir wrote: »

Fact is that council tax becomes due, in full, on the first day of the c'tax year. RAS called it right imho. The council then allow you to make payments over the course of that year as a favour to you.

This makes it easy for them to withdraw the privilege (not a right) of paying by instalments pretty much any old time your payments late. As such, they'll be delighted that you've paid a big chunk off but I wouldn't expect it to halt their efforts. Worth ringing and asking though.

As for previous years, not sure if you've seen my comments on the other c'tax thread today that explains that:

Hiya Roberto - thanks (as always)....

So am I best just writing in saying i'll pay it by middle of March, even though I already sent them a letter saying as such with the last payment? I'm tempted to send a cheque now, with the date as 30th march - that way i'll effectively have cleared the debt as until such time the cheque bounced (which it will not), after all a cheque is payment..?

Regards to the years, so how do I specifically get them to pay last years bill - do I have to actually request they allocate payment to it? Surely not - that doesn't add up mate?

They told me last year that as i'd got mixed up with the amount (I sent a cheque in) they would not have a problem adding it to this years bill. Obviously I accepted...... so for them to then add £70 is cheeky to say the least, isn't it?

RobertoMoir

If they made some kind of arrangement for last year's bill then it sounds like it got messed up. Good luck proving it, but if you can then yeah in your shoes I'd want them to knock off charges related to that mistake of course.

As for paying the other year from where you are today, then yes you will need to tell them which year you are paying off. If you have just used a slip from one of those council tax payment books, for example, that will definitely reference this year's account.

never-in-doubt

RobertoMoir wrote: »

If they made some kind of arrangement for last year's bill then it sounds like it got messed up. Good luck proving it, but if you can then yeah in your shoes I'd want them to knock off charges related to that mistake of course.

As for paying the other year from where you are today, then yes you will need to tell them which year you are paying off. If you have just used a slip from one of those council tax payment books, for example, that will definitely reference this year's account.

Hiya

They told me on the phone that they would carry it over and add it to this bill.

Recently, with what I just paid I never specified the year - I simply sent a letter saying 'please find attached a cheque for £500 towards my council tax'.

I never specified a year. However surely I will have the law on my side as they reckon that it is common sense and the right thing to do, to pay older debts before newer debts. They simply cannot be allowed to do that?

I'll just write to them and blag it - what do you think, if I send a postdated cheque will that cancel the summons out? As they will be in receipt of it prior to the actual hearing?

I have no intentions of attending anyway, i've better things to do....

never-in-doubt

Thanks for everyones help, I decided to just send a cheque off so that is what i've done. I did however date it for the end of March lol - see how they like that! But technically (and legally) I have paid the account in full - its just they cannot have the payment until the date on the cheque (lol)....

Ive acted as if I know nothing about the action and omitted the £70 fee added so just sent the exact amount (plus an extra 1p for them to consider buying a life). I ignored all charges lol