Old Council Tax, Limitations Act and Liability Orders

Pembroke

Hi folks,

Sorry bit of a novel.

Hope I can get a little help here as to what if anything my next move should be. I was out a few days ago and the following two notices were hand delivered to my parent’s house where I am currently staying.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f5WpvSf8QY90yixMi-isSA?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yPL__OZ-faFPMhFWobnFWg?feat=directlink

So first off a bit of background. The property to which they refer was repossessed from me around about August 2004 (I have the paper work for the exact date, just not to hand). After that it was empty for a few months before being sold on to another person, during my last few month of occupation I was on the dole and as far as I was aware the DWP were paying my council tax for me.

I’ve already had a CCJ against me regarding the shortfall in the amount that the mortgage company won in their repossession order and the amount they sold the property for although I can’t remember if they included any outstanding council tax in that amount. I assume they wouldn’t as would I be right in thinking that an empty property doesn’t attract council tax?

My next action was to send the following letter to MC2 I assume they’re just a DCA as they don’t appear to be court appointed bailiffs and their first letter says they are acting for the council not a court.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yu7ZQWIGQfpc6Hcq1Pol4w?feat=directlink

I was hoping they would reply chapter and verse but the reply I got this morning was hardly worth the stamp.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GN0vHfILxYvuKTBIXez6WA?feat=directlink

So I would guess that the only way I’m going to find out further details is to SARN Ealing Council, I have never seen the liability orders to which they refer. Would this be the correct course of action? Or should I send the notice to MC2 as although they seem to be reluctant to send proof of their ‘ownership’ of the debt they do claim to be acting on the councils behalf.

Oh and for the eagle eyed amongst you I have already spotted the fact that the dates for the first notice can’t be correct, unless they’re issuing liability orders before they become due and I’m assuming that the council were not made aware by the mortgage company that they owned the flat after the date of repossession, so the end date of my alleged liability is also incorrect.

Last question, does the limitation act apply to liability orders? I know that generally it doesn’t apply to CT debt but that ‘seems’ to be the length of time between the debt and the issuance of an order, not the time between an issued order and contact regarding payment. Oh and in view of the errors do I have grounds to apply to have the orders set aside or is it too late or not possible with a liability order like it is with other types court orders?