HUGE council tax arrears - options/advice, please help URGENT!

dreamdreamer

It would appear that the best way to move forward with this is to write to the Council and put in appeal as to whether you should be liable.

I don't see that the OP is going to be able to get out of being liable for the debt - written/verbal agreement or not, he's legally jointly liable. The council tax post would have been addressed to the both of them so as far as the council are concerned they've probably given him numerous warnings (even if he didn't see any of them). Unfortunately it's as much his problem as hers now. Either the housemate has gone to amazing lengths to hide this, or the council have been REALLY lax with chasing it up!

You really need to speak with the council to see what they've done about this over the last two years and who the debt is now with. Until you get that info you're working blind. And then the CAB on what to do about it. I hope it works out and your friend coughs up.

Superly_Vince

dreamdreamer wrote: »

I don't see that the OP is going to be able to get out of being liable for the debt - written/verbal agreement or not, he's legally jointly liable. The council tax post would have been addressed to the both of them so as far as the council are concerned they've probably given him numerous warnings (even if he didn't see any of them). Unfortunately it's as much his problem as hers now. Either the housemate has gone to amazing lengths to hide this, or the council have been REALLY lax with chasing it up!

You really need to speak with the council to see what they've done about this over the last two years and who the debt is now with. Until you get that info you're working blind. And then the CAB on what to do about it. I hope it works out and your friend coughs up.

What a horrible, horrible mess. I feel sick...

Hopefully, the flatmate will agree to visit the council with me so we can discuss what's happened and agree on the best course of action. If we both go and I tell them I had no knowledge of this and she admits to what she's done maybe something can be done.

Sharon87

Do you have proof of payment to her for your half of the council tax bill? This can be used against her, it's proof. You will need to have a word with your housemate and go to the council together.

Hope all goes well

dreamdreamer

As I understand it he never paid her half the council tax as such, just paid the utilities instead. So there won't be any payments into her account to prove he was paying half, even though he effectively was.

Superly_Vince

dreamdreamer wrote: »

As I understand it he never paid her half the council tax as such, just paid the utilities instead. So there won't be any payments into her account to prove he was paying half, even though he effectively was.

That's correct.

triggerhappy_2

As I understand it (from my own experience) bailiffs are used in Scotland. Certainly the letter I received after 2 months of non-payment to Glasgow City Council after a mess up at the bank would suggest that's the case. In my situation, I paid the full year in one go to get them off my back, but obviously that really isn't an option here.

Is it possible for you to agree to pay half and then sue her through the small claims court for it back?

ETA: whilst continuously acknowledging that you aren't actually in debt to her. Everything in writing.