Can Council Tax Debt be written off??

Deva2005

Dear All,

Firstly, please forgive a newbie if I am in the wrong place, just desperate for some help. if possible!!

We have HUGE council tax arrears over the past 3-4 years and with only having temp work since being made redundant, paying this off is VERY slow.

Does anyone know, if, due to extreme hardship, council tax can be written off? We have several liability orders at present

Desperate for some help or guidance if anyone know anything?

Also battling with massive utility debts if anyone can give any ideas about these as well??

Many thanks in advance

Yours, losing lots of sleep

David

Poppie68

As far as i am aware council tax debt will always be payable. You will need to negotiate with the council payments which are affordable.

Utility companies will also negotiate payments, payment meters can be fitted that will take off money owing in very small amounts every time you top up your card. Some Water companies also run a scheme were they will match your debt pound for pound after you come argee an amount to pay back, therefore cutting your debt in half.

marybelle01

Not sure who andy is - although someone obviously is! Councils will go a long way to negotiate reasonable repayments, but it does not get remitted. They are under a legal obligation from government to collect arrears.

Poppa_G

speak to your local CAB, you may qualify for a debt relief order.

CIS

The council can write it off if they wish, section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 ensures they have a policy for write offs but this policy can be to refuse an application as any write off has to be funded by rest of the council tax payers in the authority's area.

benefitbaby

If you have liability orders for the CT debts then chances are the collection of the debts are with bailiffs. Each time they visit the debt will go up unless one of the following is undertaken.

If you allow the bailiffs to enter the property they will complete a walking possession order, this details all the items you have of saleable value...
- if you do not own goods with sufficient value to cover the outstanding debts then they will refer the case back to the council and advise them of this, the council will then decide what to do (they may waive recovery of the debt).
- if you own goods with sufficient value to cover the debt then they are likely to suspend the walking possession upon your agreement to a repayment plan. As long as you continue to make the agreed payments then they will not seize your property.

Have you been to a CAB or money advice agency? They will look at maximising your income, reducing your expenditure and advise you on all your debt options (repayment, DRO, bankruptcy etc) and can assist you with negotiating with the creditors.

[Deleted User]

some utility co have trust that can help some people,might be worth looking into,if you dont own your house and have debts under 15k a DRO maybe an option(see the debt free wannabe forum on mse)

CIS

Each time they visit the debt will go up unless one of the following is undertaken.

The number of visits by the bailiff is unlimited but the costs are limited to 2 visits (and potentially a 3rd to remove goods).

benefitbaby

CIS wrote: »

The number of visits by the bailiff is unlimited but the costs are limited to 2 visits (and potentially a 3rd to remove goods).

Thank you for the clarity

BigAunty

challfour wrote: »

..

And as for the rest of your post - I will just ignore it as it makes no sense either.

Andy - all the regulars can spot your posts a mile off and your incessant denials merely amuse us.

It's a shame that new posters don't realise you are someone who pops up each month with a new username and spouts worthless crap that the vulnerable on here may unfortunately believe.

Remember that at this point, just in case you forget your routine, you are supposed to huff and puff and threaten to report me.

pmlindyloo

Poppa_G wrote: »

speak to your local CAB, you may qualify for a debt relief order.

Just in case you have missed this.

Absolutely agree.

Go to CAB and they will be able to advise you on your options as regarding all your debts.