Council tax late payment charges

katie1407

About 7 years ago my husband was ill and ended up having to leave his job. He was unemployed for about 6 months and when he went back to work it was on a much lower salary. This lead to us being unable to pay our council tax, so a 10per cent charge was added on.
We started to pay the arrears at an agreed monthly amount, however, this meant when the new year started, we were then unable to pay the new charges as well as the arrears, so ended up paying 10 per cent non payment charge for the new year.
This has gone on every year since then. We have now cleared all arrears(hurrah) and will be able to pay on time this year.
However, does anyone else think that the additional charge for non payment(after 2 months) is totally unfair? Would love to be able to do something about it!

CIS

Out of curiosity, which councils area are you in ?

katie1407

Glasgow. Does anyone think its worth trying to query it?

Butlers1982

i didnt actually think that there were late payment charges for non payment of council tax?

The charge that is levyed is the cost that the court charges for the summons which is around £15.

you get a bill for the year to pe paid in 10 instalments.
if you miss one you will get a reminder.
If you miss two you will get a final notice
If you dont pay the full amount in the final notice
You will then be sent a summons.
You are not required to attend court as all that happens is that someone from the council office reads your name and address to the court and they authorise the summons(which is where the charge comes from)

The reason it goes to court is for the council to be able to do an attachment of earnings ( where they contact your employer direct and take an amount out of you monthly/weekly salary)
That is only done if you have failed to keep to a payment arrangement

tigtag02

Butlers1982 wrote: »

i didnt actually think that there were late payment charges for non payment of council tax?

The charge that is levyed is the cost that the court charges for the summons which is around £15.

you get a bill for the year to pe paid in 10 instalments.
if you miss one you will get a reminder.
If you miss two you will get a final notice
If you dont pay the full amount in the final notice
You will then be sent a summons.
You are not required to attend court as all that happens is that someone from the council office reads your name and address to the court and they authorise the summons(which is where the charge comes from)

The reason it goes to court is for the council to be able to do an attachment of earnings ( where they contact your employer direct and take an amount out of you monthly/weekly salary)
That is only done if you have failed to keep to a payment arrangement

Butlers - this is correct for England - it could quite possibly be different in Scotland

tigtag

CIS

The reason it goes to court is for the council to be able to do an attachment of earnings ( where they contact your employer direct and take an amount out of you monthly/weekly salary)
That is only done if you have failed to keep to a payment arrangement

The Liability Order also allows Attachment of Benefits, Charging Orders, Bankruptcy, Bailiff Action or even Committal.