Council tax arrears (scotland) update - still need help and advice!

Superly_Vince

Here's the original thread with regards to the council tax arrears which my flatmate has gotten herself/us in to.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2991104

We both visted a money advice shop (free walk in, listed on the council website) a few weeks ago and were advised that we should set up a payment plan with Scott and co (who the council passed the debt to), both of us have to do this since we're both named on the account, I'm reluctant to do this as she was the one that run us in to this mess but anything to get Scott and Co off my back and co-operate until my flatmate gets this sorted once and for all.

The agreement was made via an advisor at the money advice shop who contacted Scott and co in writing in our behalf, Scott and co agreed and we both made our payments on the 4th of this month. Also, the advisor has offered to negociate with Scott and Co on our behalf in future.

I've agreed to pay £15.00 a month (after doing a budget sheet to determine what's left over). I'm currently in a temp job and paid weekly (not well paid at all I'm barely left with anything once rent and bills are paid but I can manage £15.00 a month).

OK, so that was an update as to what's happend over the past few weeks. Now to more problems/questions.

Yesterday, I came home to a business card from Scott and co, a private investigator came round while we were both out. They left a mobile number to call which I did but they did not answer (I with held my number) the flatmate tried also. I made another call this afternoon but no answer.

I also made a call to Scott and co this afternoon and was advised the private investigator was wanting to discuss the repayment as well as assess the flat (which privately rented and fully furnished). They confirmed that the repayments were in place for the 4th of each month also.

I'm **** scared now!!! (pardon my language) I'm not convinced it was a 'private investegator' and this this is something else, like they want to look at our belongings and seize them to sell off to pay towards the debt.

Is their anything I can do to stop them coming round, I've agreed a payment plan even though it wasn't my fault! I don't want my belongings, which I worked hard to pay for, to be taken away from me.

I've been sick with worry for the past few weeks, I can't eat or sleep, I've lost so much weight... I'm scared I will be forced in to bancruptcy over something I didn't do. I have career aspirations which I've spent the past few years working toward (currently in a voluntery position) and I'm scared it will go down the drain because of this horrible, horrible mess!

Also, I've also had a look at my credit files, everything is perfect, I don't want to ruin and set myself back. I need a clean credit history. I have no missed payments, no defaults, no CCJs etc. I've worked VERY hard to keep this sound as to mention again my future aspirations depend on this!

What can we do with regards to this person from Scott and Co turning up at our flat? any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know what to do... I'm in a constant state of worry/panic and have a permanent sick to my stomch feeling. Please help by providing advice, I'm desperate.

Mum-2-Be

sorry I cant help hun but Ive just had money seized from my bank account from them today when I had no idea I owed anything at all so I feel your pain

[Deleted User]

Have you spoken to the advisor who was dealing with this for you? Have the payments actually reached the debt collection company? I would contact them for advice - Are they a debt charity?

How much is the total debt for? And is your flatmate also paying towards it? At the current rate you are paying how long will it take you to clear the balance?

beanielou

Poindings no longer happen in Scotland AFAIK for council tax debt.

lvm

You say it was your friend's fault that they got you into this mess - how is that? Did you give her the money and she didn't pay? Or did she agree to pay council tax and you paid something else? Obviously you are both joint and severally liable for the debt but you can even look at taking your friend to small claims court if she's taken your money and not used it for what she was meant to.

You've tried phoning and the Private Investigator has chosen not to answer. I wouldn't answer your door to them or let them into your house.

I'd write to them instead (these phonecalls aren't worth much!) informing them you have set up payment plan and if they need any further information to put the request in writing.

One thing to consider though - is your friend holding up her part of the bargain? If she messed you about first time round there's nothing stopping her doing it again and if Scott and Co think it's easier to get all money from you, they'll have no problem doing it - and will take you to court if they need to.

beanielou

The other thing BTW that you need to be wary of is them arresting your bank account.
Dont mean to scare you but to just to warn you.

Superly_Vince

beanielou wrote: »

Poindings no longer happen in Scotland AFAIK for council tax debt.

I had to look that up. That's good to know.

lvm wrote: »

You say it was your friend's fault that they got you into this mess - how is that? Did you give her the money and she didn't pay? Or did she agree to pay council tax and you paid something else? Obviously you are both joint and severally liable for the debt but you can even look at taking your friend to small claims court if she's taken your money and not used it for what she was meant to.

You've tried phoning and the Private Investigator has chosen not to answer. I wouldn't answer your door to them or let them into your house.

I'd write to them instead (these phonecalls aren't worth much!) informing them you have set up payment plan and if they need any further information to put the request in writing.

One thing to consider though - is your friend holding up her part of the bargain? If she messed you about first time round there's nothing stopping her doing it again and if Scott and Co think it's easier to get all money from you, they'll have no problem doing it - and will take you to court if they need to.

We came to an agreement that I would pay the utilities bills and she would pay the council tax as it was pretty much equal. I kept up my end of the bargin.

No, they wont answer still, but I'm not calling up and showing my number, I don't want them calling me all the time. I spoke to the advisor at the money show and he said he's more than happy for me to give them his details in order to discuss matters on our behalf. I'll write to scot and co advising them the arrangement has been set in place for the both of us, should they require any further details they should liase with the advisor (who has been given permission to discuss matters on our behalf).

I feel positively nausuous at the thought of being taken to court!

beanielou wrote: »

The other thing BTW that you need to be wary of is them arresting your bank account.
Dont mean to scare you but to just to warn you.

Is there anything I can do to stop this, I'm finding it hard enough as it is to pay my bills and rent at the moment (which I've done continuously despite having been redundant), the last thing I want it not to be able to pay for them at all and to incur bank charges and for this to spiral out of control! :( They (should) have her bank account details, I've never given mine out to the Council so here's hoping.

God help me... I'm so scared and stressed out.

Mum-2-Be

Superly_Vince wrote: »

I feel positively nausuous at the thought of being taken to court!



Is there anything I can do to stop this, I'm finding it hard enough as it is to pay my bills and rent at the moment (which I've done continuously despite having been redundant), the last thing I want it not to be able to pay for them at all and to incur bank charges and for this to spiral out of control! :( They (should) have her bank account details, I've never given mine out to the Council so here's hoping.

God help me... I'm so scared and stressed out.

I know its hard not to but dont get so stressed as they will not take you to court overnight.
Apparently they have been sending letters to my sisters address for both of us which she never told me of (I believe this) with options to repay and then go to court to explain the situation from May 2010.

Yes they seized funds from my account and there is still a balance owing which I am going to have to pay (cow of a sister wont :mad:) but I now have the option of a payment plan now Im aware of the issue and have contacted the Sherrif Officer

beanielou

Nothing you can do to stop arrestment AFAIK Im afraid.
Having looked at the other thread Im amazed the council havent done anything before now.
If the council request your bank account details you are legally bound to give them.

beanielou

The difference really though Mum-to-be is in the amount owed.
You only owe a couple of hundred quid now dont you?

Mum-2-Be

beanielou wrote: »

The difference really though Mum-to-be is in the amount owed.
You only owe a couple of hundred quid now dont you?

Yes luckily I only owe £100 odd now, I will NEVER allow anyone to fob me off handling my own finances now.

Lesson officially learned!