council tax debt after husbands DRO

bevm111272

Hi, i hope someone can help.
My husband went through a DRO in april this year we had seperated last Nov all council tax bills were in his name and never joint names i was never a tennant at the property it was all in his sole name.

Now since he had the DRO the council are now sending baliffs after me and saying that i am responsible for his debt, what can i do? as i have no intention of paying im on jsa at the moment as i lost me job when my marriage ended.
How can they come after me when none of the bills where in joint names ever !!!
All the debt and financial issues were half the reason we seperated.

I have told the council to put me in prison as i am not paying it !

Surely thay cant do this ?????????

Tixy

As far as I know all adults in a property are responsible for council tax even if it is only in 1 persons name - see this website http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/YourlocalcouncilandCouncilTax/CouncilTax/DG_10037383

which states - There's one Council Tax bill for each home. Usually the person living in the property has to pay the bill. Spouses and partners who live together are both responsible for paying the bill.

It sounds like the council must have a liability order in your name already for bailiffs to have been instructed. I think you are going to need to try to pay it back. I would try speaking to the council and explaining that you are currently on JSA. They might take the debt back from the bailiffs and they might allow you to pay token payments until your circumtances have improved.

How much is the debt for?

debt_doctor

Hi,

You are responsible for c/tax for every complete day you lived with your partner at the liable address. This is whether you were named on the bill or not.
As you are on JSA, if this is your only income, you should offer £3.30 pw to the bailiff (who wont accept it!) and then wait till the debt is returned to the council and offer the £3.30 to them who will accept it.

Make sure you keep your doors and windows locked and do not let the bailiff in to your home.

Of course if you fit the criteria, you could apply for a DRO too.

DD

Buddingblonde

The minimum payment is now £3.40 - went up by 10p in april.
If you want you can contact the council and ask for them to take the 3.40 straight from your benefit.