Can anyone help me please? Council Tax debt, Scotland

shezam

We have been issued with a Charge for Payment by AA Hutton Sherriff officers for unpaid Council Tax of £392. I arranged a payment plan with this company last year but defaulted due to losing job and not telling them.

We were issued with this on Wednesday. We have 14 days to pay or they can arrest our wages/freeze our bank account etc.

I have read that we can apply to the courts for a Time to Pay order. My partner is going to call Citzens Advice today to see where we get the forms etc from. Unfortunetly our Citzens Advice office is only open from 10-4 and I work 8-4 and my partner works 9-5. Hopefully Citzens Advice will be able to help and assist over the phone.

My question, do you think the Court is likely to grant us a Time to Pay order or as I have already defaulted on one payment plan we will be asked to raise the funds in 14 days?

Thanks for any help.

Shezam x

Tixy

Hi

Sorry I can't help advise on this, but have you considered calling national debtline (scotland) for advice? They might be another option if you cannot get to speak to someone at CAB who can help, and are the phonelines are open 9til9.
There is also this link, which may be of some use (if you haven't already seen it)http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/scotland/factsheet.php?page=03_recovery_of_council_tax
That factsheet has info on the form etc.

LMCD

they are threatening but they have not took action so I would ask them directly to do a payment plan again - explain the problem you had last year and explain you are willing to pay... but I would say in future if you were not able to uphold an agreement phone the company as they should be willing to help you...esp if you lost your job this is an honest case of not being able to pay - but avoiding it just looks like you don't care to them - they only know what you tell them...

I have made these mistakes and for my ignorance and stupidity to the fact I owed them money, I am currently paying the debt and the decree charge... best face up to it.

shezam

Thank you,

I feel like i've had my chance with them though, ignored calls/letters etc then had Sherriff Officers at the door on Wednesday handing my partner this Charge of Payment order. Never actually thought of calling them and asking if we could set up another payment plan. Will see what Citzens Advice say. Fingers crossed. I just want rid of this now!

LMCD

shezam wrote: »

Thank you,

I feel like i've had my chance with them though, ignored calls/letters etc then had Sherriff Officers at the door on Wednesday handing my partner this Charge of Payment order. Never actually thought of calling them and asking if we could set up another payment plan. Will see what Citzens Advice say. Fingers crossed. I just want rid of this now!

Just tell them you were scared, if you don't ask you don't get, if they do refuse and you do go to the court for extra payment time you can say you tried to agree with them a new payment plan..it looks bad on the sherrif officers then as you were seen to try and sort the situation - and to be honest your arrears is nothing to some of the worst cases - you are in favour here - you are willing to pay ...think of those who refuse.

shezam

bumpity bump bump!

shezam

Just an update, i've called them, and they have accepted £50 a month direct debit.

At least we don't have to go down the court route.

Thanks everyone x