Council Tax Court Summons...

Lish_2

Yes, before you tell me. I already know- I am a muppet!

I forgot to settle my council tax fully when I left my old place and with a combination of being in and out of hospital, on holiday, being promoted at work to a much tougher (and time consuming) role and dealing with a b*tch of a housemate - I forgot about it!

Have just recieved a court summonds through the post for 22/06/10 with £50 extra costs taking the total to £330 and I have no idea what to do? :eek:
I can afford to pay half this month and half next month but no way of paying the full amount before the court date is due.
Can anyone suggest what I can do in this situ? Or anything to bide me some more time?

I am already really mad at myself for forgetting somthing SO important and it's really quite embarassing so please dont tell me off as I am kicking myself really hard right now...

RAS

Hi

Start by getting hold of the Council and pay the half you can afford this month and see if they will withdraw the case if you pay by an agreed date next month. They may agree.

Do make sure that everything is agreed in writing however, once you have spoken to them.

tbs624

As RAS says get in touch with the Council straight away and follow up all visits/phone conversations with a letter setting out your understanding of the conversation.

The Council should accept your offer, but you will probably still have to pay the court costs and they will seek a Liability Order for the outstanding amount - it simplifies matters for them should you then not keep to your original repayment agreement.

Lish_2

Thanks Guys, I have just emailed them and will see what they say!
Cheers,

AbbieCadabra

OP, you refer to a 'court date'? i'm presuming this is a court summons that you've received with an admission or defence to be completed?

tbs624 wrote: »

The Council should accept your offer, but you will probably still have to pay the court costs and they will seek a Liability Order for the outstanding amount - it simplifies matters for them should you then not keep to your original repayment agreement.

if this as i've said above, is a Liability Order something different to a Judgement?

i used to deal with the processing of summons admissions & defences at our local water company, if a completed admission was received offering to pay the balance in full over the next 2 months, the offer would be accepted but judgement would be entered in the meantime in case they defaulted on the payment arrangement.

Gwhiz

lish wrote: »

thanks guys, i have just emailed them and will see what they say!
Cheers,

phone!!!!!!!!!!

G_M

Gwhiz wrote: »

phone!!!!!!!!!!

And then follow up whatever they agree to with a letter to confirm!!!!

princeofpounds

Yes, to reinforce DO NOT rely on email here. It is utterly your responsibility to make sure you get through as council tax is not a civil debt you can just turn up on the court date and offer to pay to prevent a CCJ. Communicate with them in smoke signals if necessary, but phone and write at least. And ask for written confirmation of any deals you make, note time of call and person you are speaking to.

It may well be advisable to get some credit to pay the full amount if they do not accept an installment plan.

Council tax is right up there with rent in terms of priority debts.

CIS

if this as i've said above, is a Liability Order something different to a Judgement?

i used to deal with the processing of summons admissions & defences at our local water company, if a completed admission was received offering to pay the balance in full over the next 2 months, the offer would be accepted but judgement would be entered in the meantime in case they defaulted on the payment arrangement.

Its is different.

With a CCJ through the County Court it affects you credit record and the petioner has to apply to the court to use a form of recovery if the CCJ is granted.

With a Liability Order through the magistrates court then once it is granted the local authority has a range of recovery methods which they can use at their discretion, they dont need to apply to the court for further permission. The Liability Order also doesn't show on your credit record.

The court has no say in making a payment arrangement with a liability order and cannot instruct the council on one (unless you got to the stage of a hearing for committal to prison)