Overdue Council Tax and bailiffs caused by housemate

iancox1986

Hi, first time poster in desperate need of advice.

Briefly, the situation:

I've been living in a house share with one other person. The arrangement between us that all bills would go from my housemate's account, and I would give him a lump sum each month to cover this.

On Friday, I came home from work to find a letter (hand delivered) stating that a bailiff had called due to non-payment of council tax. Now, being a joint tenancy, I am also jointly liable for the council tax; this is something that I understand and have no dispute with.

I have spoken the the bailiff on the phone (not been around when he has called in person, and I wouldn't let him in even if I had - I have made him aware that I know my rights in this). The outstanding amount totals £1246, and they are demanding immediate payment with no scope for a monthly installment, as this apparently has been broken before by my housemate.

I must stress that this outstanding bill was completely unknown to me until Friday - it appears as if all letters sent to us regarding this have been intercepted by my housemate.

I have also spoken directly to the council - they understand my situation and willingness to come to an arrangement, but have stated that they will not call this back from the bailiffs - and having spoken to the bailiffs, they will not return it to the council.

I'm now stumped as to what to do next. I've moved out of the property anyway now as our tenancy is up. I'm willing to negotiate and find some way of paying this but I'm encountering a brick wall with the bailiffs who will not bend.

As I always paid my housemate by bank transfer, I have a record of every monthly payment I made to him in good faith for these and other bills.

If anyone can offer some advice, I'd really, really appreciate it, and will try and provide as many other details as you may need.

I

RAS

And what does your ex-housemate say to this? Have you contacted him/her?

And have you checked that all theb utulity bills etc have bene paid by this sponger?

Do you still live in the same Council area?

iancox1986

Well, I got the usual platitudes and fob offs; don't worry, I'll sort it, that kind of thing; but he is currently out of work (to my knowledge) so I fail to see how that should make me feel better.

I haven't yet checked the utility bills - it is on the to do list, but as ever I'm also trying to fit this all around work.

I now live in a different council area.

RAS

Ok

You know your basic rights re bailiffs, so make sure they cannot get in. Do you own a car?

They can only add £42.50 to the bill if they cannot get levy/wpo

Are you aware that the people running the Council tax may also own the company for whom the bailiff works? I do not know if your old Councillor would try and speak to them for you, but they might. agree to help you and might be able to get installments agreed.

Check that the bailiff if registered to work for the company as well.

And once you know how much damage this person has done, consider what you can do to extract any money from them, if you think this will lead anywhere. You do not happen to be on a Facebook friend? I suspect this person will have doen this before and knew what they were playing at.

iancox1986

I do not own a car/vehicle, so no issue there.

I wasn't aware of the potential ownership issue there - it is something that I'll look into.

In terms of dealing with the housemate, that will be sorted out ok - somehow I have managed to keep it amicable and I know where he is moving to (it will be with his family who I also know, and who I have also made aware of the situation).

My real main worry is what I do in the current period where I can't afford to stump up £1246 in one go, and they won't accept instalment payments.

I have in mind a next step of seeking out the local CAB office for advice, and perhaps the debt advisory line; would you say that these are worthwhile avenues of pursuit?

chevalier

i would show his parents your statements ie that you paid over the bill money religiously. then appeal to their good nature to pay off HIS debt. The fact that he spent the money on other things is pretty carp in my opinion. The other way round it would be that the deposit money for the rental all gets paid back to you that than you both?

fatbelly

iancox1986 wrote: »

I have in mind a next step of seeking out the local CAB office for advice, and perhaps the debt advisory line; would you say that these are worthwhile avenues of pursuit?

DAL are commercial IVA-pushers - don't even think about it.

It may be worth running the situation past National Debtline.

The council will have an online payment facility - I suggest that you pay what you can by that route.

MrsTinks

The URL will be on the councils website - so will depend on what council it is There isn't a "UK wide" one I'm afraid... Go on their webpage and have a nose round - should pop up

Definitely contact housemates parents and see if they will cough up the money owed - as said - show them the bank statements and explain that unless this debt is settled (and any others that other creditors might try and chase you for - water, electric, gas?) then you will have no option but to try to pursue the debt through the courts and you obviously have proof you paid this money to them in good faith... Hopefully they will cover the debt and you can move on...