Council Tax Bill 12 Years old

Nitamcc21

HI all,

Just after a bit of advice here really. My mum received a council tax bill last week that was from 2000 - 2001. She didn't know she owed the money and this is the first she has heard of it. Not only did she receive one but the have tagged my name on and sent me one too. Se has no proof of payments from as far back as 2000 and no bank statements - neither does the bank. Is there anything we can do? I've been on the phone to them and hey said it has to be paid. I've said the bill isn't mine but they said well your name is on it too so prove you weren't living there.... Any help greatly appreciated!!

Neets

HappyMJ

Nitamcc21 wrote: »

HI all,

Just after a bit of advice here really. My mum received a council tax bill last week that was from 2000 - 2001. She didn't know she owed the money and this is the first she has heard of it. Not only did she receive one but the have tagged my name on and sent me one too. Se has no proof of payments from as far back as 2000 and no bank statements - neither does the bank. Is there anything we can do? I've been on the phone to them and hey said it has to be paid. I've said the bill isn't mine but they said well your name is on it too so prove you weren't living there.... Any help greatly appreciated!!

Neets

Is there a liability order in regards to the alleged debt?

Nitamcc21

sorry to be dim but what does that mean?

taffy056

They can only chase you if there is liability order on this alleged debt after all this time, I beleive that if they don't have one it could be statute barred. And what proof do they have it's owed, I mean waiting 12 years is a bit much.

Nitamcc21

When I questioned them over it they said they are going over old accounts. My mum is now a pensioner and I am on a DMP.. We just don't have £1000 to get together... How would I find out if they have a liability order attached to the debt? Cheers!!!!!

HappyMJ

Nitamcc21 wrote: »

When I questioned them over it they said they are going over old accounts. My mum is now a pensioner and I am on a DMP.. We just don't have £1000 to get together... How would I find out if they have a liability order attached to the debt? Cheers!!!!!

They would tell you about it. If there is no liability order then tell them to go away. If they try and get a liability order then go to court and defend the claim. Is this all being communicated to you in writing? Keep it that way. Do not telephone. Keep a copy of every letter sent and received.

Even if there is a liability order you do not have to pay £1,000 on the spot. You can come to an agreement to pay very small payments each week. As little as £3.55 a week.

taffy056

I suppose you will have to ask them in writing, can I ask though you said they added your name to it, were you actually living there then ? For my mind they supply proof that you owe this money, would it be reasonable for you to keep records from 12 years ago ?

CIS

They can only chase you if there is liability order on this alleged debt after all this time, I beleive that if they don't have one it could be statute barred. And what proof do they have it's owed, I mean waiting 12 years is a bit much.

A Liability Order has to be obtained within 6 years of the bill being issued otherwise they cannot obtain one - nothing to stop them asking a person to pay but it couldn't be enforced.

Nitamcc21

They only issued the bill last week for 12 yrs ago so unsure how this all works. I lived with mum for about 3 months of the time they are billing us for. I then moved in with ex husband an his parents. I wasn't jointly responsible for bills. Mums name was on them and I was giving her keep. I'm just worried as we've got no proof of what was paid 12 years later. I'll write and ask where this is upto and see what happens... Thanks guys!
Neets

HappyMJ

Nitamcc21 wrote: »

They only issued the bill last week for 12 yrs ago so unsure how this all works. I lived with mum for about 3 months of the time they are billing us for. I then moved in with ex husband an his parents. I wasn't jointly responsible for bills. Mums name was on them and I was giving her keep. I'm just worried as we've got no proof of what was paid 12 years later. I'll write and ask where this is upto and see what happens... Thanks guys!
Neets

The initial bill would have been issued 12 years ago unless fraud was involved but even then they still need a court order to be able to collect. This would be a reminder that can be ignored. They are just trying it on.

vax2002

HappyMJ wrote: »

T If they try and get a liability order then go to court and defend the claim..

They Dont go to court, they sign them themselves with fake signatures.
When challenged to a personal hearing in the only know case , they had a council worker pretend to be a magistrate who ran away when asked to confirm they were indeed a magistrate sitting on oath.