Summoned to court over council tax

gaz_jones

OK, first of all I've been an idiot. We got a letter saying we need to pay our council tax, I put it to one side and forgot all about it. We then got another letter saying we have 1 week to pay it or we'll loose the ability to pay in monthly installments, after another week if we still haven't paid it they would send us to court. To cut a long story short we delayed it so much we have now received a summons to court

We paid straight away as soon as the summons letter came. I should have paid before but I just put it to the back of my mind. My fault I know.

We ended up having to pay an extra £60 on top because they had summoned us. Once again, annoying but 100% my fault.


My question is, will this now show up on my credit report that I've been summoned, or would it only show up if you actually had to go to court?

If it does show up I'm going to be even more angry with myself than I already am! That £60 could have gone on much better things!

Thanks everyone.

Tixy

hi gaz

I think I am right in saying this will not show up on you report, generally only consumer credit information is reported to your credit file, except where there has been a court judgement.

Little_Miss_Uni-Debt

I had this happen to me when my old housemate decided to stop paying me money for bills after I had been made redundant. I managed to scrape it together before it went to court.

As far as I can see nothing showed up on my credit report with regards to this when I checked a while later and I have a reasonable credit score now.

However I'm sure it makes an impact on your credit score. They certainly would put a default on if it went on any longer. I know non payment of council tax is a nasty one and they will chase for it so it's a good job that you got it paid in time!

DarkConvict

No, a liablity order nor council tax has any bearing on a credit record, as it is not a credit account. Only a CCJ/CO will show up. It may show on trust online website, but its very unlikely anyone will actually check it unless your job requires something like SC or DV clearance. Even then its no real affect.

gaz_jones

Thanks everyone Great weight off my shoulders. Now I'm just kicking myself for wasting £60 instead of ruining my credit rating


Thanks for the reassurance

GEEGEE8

Could have been worse, glad you got it sorted.

I'm a sod for 'filing' things and forgetting about them!

Maybe get a little letter tray? or a nice wooden holder for important stuff..

mrak

Gaz! Please check the summons carefully! If you were prompt in payment, and you are willing/able to setup direct debits for future payment, there is a good chance that your local council will refund the £60 fee!

I found myself in the exact same situation as you last week, and I have had my fee (of £80) refunded.

Thanks,

Mrak

gaz_jones

GEEGEE8 wrote: »

Could have been worse, glad you got it sorted.

I'm a sod for 'filing' things and forgetting about them!

Maybe get a little letter tray? or a nice wooden holder for important stuff..

I think this is a must from now on! This isn't the first time I've done this, but think this is the first time I'm going to learn from my mistakes.

mrak wrote: »

Gaz! Please check the summons carefully! If you were prompt in payment, and you are willing/able to setup direct debits for future payment, there is a good chance that your local council will refund the £60 fee!

I found myself in the exact same situation as you last week, and I have had my fee (of £80) refunded.

Thanks,

Mrak

I hadn't thought about this! I'll give them a call straight after work and see if they will do it. I'm more than happy to set up a direct debit although now I've paid it all at once that might not be possible. As it's my first offence and I paid the second I got that letter they might go easy on me. I'll see if I can work my magic.

Thank you very much for the advice.

CIS

I think I am right in saying this will not show up on you report, generally only consumer credit information is reported to your credit file, except where there has been a court judgement.

Unless your Council has gone down the (very) unusal route of using the County Court rather than the Magistrates Court Route then there is no record on your credit file.

I hadn't thought about this! I'll give them a call straight after work and see if they will do it. I'm more than happy to set up a direct debit although now I've paid it all at once that might not be possible. As it's my first offence and I paid the second I got that letter they might go easy on me. I'll see if I can work my magic.

You might be lucky id you ask nicely but most authorities wont withdraw the costs. The authority I work in does it rarely and then almost always only as a goodwill gesture if there has been some sort error or delay at our end .

gaz_jones

I rang them yesterday and they said they doubt they will return the fee, however if I email the address on the slip they will see what they can do.

Now to think of what to put

kw17

I have a similar situation to Gaz - first time forgot to pay Council tax bill on time. Went home to South Africa for 6 weeks to visit my dad who is ill and did not receive the reminder until it was too late and now have received a summons to Magistrates Court. I am more than happy to pay the total (approx £600) but they are also charging £80 as costs. I was wodnering if someone can help answer a few questions: 1. what do these costs relate to?; 2. can i dispute the costs?; 3. is there any point in setting out in writing my situation re being out of the country and not receiving the final reminder to avoid paying costs?

So far i called up to pay and the girl said that I had to pay costs regrdless is this correct? seems like come people above have managed to get off paying these...

Many thanks!