Council Tax bill from over 6 years ago

psthmn

I got home today to a letter from our local council, Tower Hamlets, saying I owe them over £1000 in unpaid tax, from mid-2005 to mid-2006

It claims they have numerous times written to me and sent bailiffs to try and collect the debt. However, I've never heard from them about this debt, ever, despite having been in Tower Hamlets, on the electoral roll, and paying Council tax, without fail, ever since that date - in 3 different properties, and we've always been very careful to update our details when moving, and have paid all our bills without fail.

How do I know, or find out, whether they got a liability order on this debt? I believe that Council Tax debt over 6 years old is statute barred, but only if a Liability Order has not been already raised - but I don't know what indicates a liability order.

This letter says that if I don't contact them within 14 days, they will commence proceedings for 'your Committal to Prison (for up to 90 days) or to make you bankrupt'

DevCoder

If you've got proof you have paid all your council tax then contact them with that proof. CT is a priority debt and it's not to be messed with.

This isnt some cheap sold off debt to some DCA, this needs addressing and sorting out as soon as possible.

CIS

How do I know, or find out, whether they got a liability order on this debt?

Ask the council , they should be able to provide the information.

However, I've never heard from them about this debt, ever, despite having been in Tower Hamlets, on the electoral roll, and paying Council tax, without fail, ever since that date

They'll be able to confirm what has been sent and where to.

Until you've got all the information you can't be given a full answer and the only people who can provide it are the council.

psthmn

krisdorey wrote: »

If you've got proof you have paid all your council tax then contact them with that proof. CT is a priority debt and it's not to be messed with.

This isnt some cheap sold off debt to some DCA, this needs addressing and sorting out as soon as possible.

I've looked through my bank statements and I have no records previous to late 2006, so I can't prove anything. It was a house-share and the other tenants did a runner leaving quite a lot of debts & rent unpaid - which i unfortunately had to cover. So it's possible this debt was unpaid.

However, I've definitely paid all my council tax ever since, so I don't know why they are claiming they have contacted me so many times, when this is literally the first time I've heard of it, 6 and a half years later...

rising_from_the_ashes

Useful info on this link

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=25_liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act

psthmn

CIS wrote: »

Ask the council , they should be able to provide the information.

They'll be able to confirm what has been sent and where to.

Until you've got all the information you can't be given a full answer and the only people who can provide it are the council.

so would your advice be to call them and ask for a record of letters they have sent to me? Should I be asking them for proof of non-payment, and records of all the council tax I have paid since?

Also, how do I find out whether they have a liability order against me?

rising_from_the_ashes

psthmn wrote: »

I've looked through my bank statements and I have no records previous to late 2006, so I can't prove anything.

I had this with CT from many years ago (had in fact moved to another part of the UK and back again!) - I know I'd paid the bill but had moved banks (not on good terms) and had no statements & no way of proving it.

Was advised by Solicitor to pay it as it wasn't worth the hassle & I would lose as I couldn't prove I'd paid it (which is what you have to do) & if it had gone to court by the time costs etc were added .....

rising_from_the_ashes

psthmn wrote: »

I've looked through my bank statements and I have no records previous to late 2006, so I can't prove anything. It was a house-share and the other tenants did a runner leaving quite a lot of debts & rent unpaid - which i unfortunately had to cover. So it's possible this debt was unpaid.

It won't matter if you paid your share - if your flatmate(s) hadn't paid theirs and there remains an outstanding amount for the time you were in the flat - then you are unfortunately liable to pay it and the council can chase you for the full outstanding amount.

CIS

It won't matter if you paid your share - if your flatmate(s) hadn't paid theirs and there remains an outstanding amount for the time you were in the flat - then you are unfortunately liable to pay it and the council can chase you for the full outstanding amount.

I must agree - house shares are a pain the backside to deal with as invariably one person pays for a bit and then stops but by that time you need to search for the others for the payment.

Also, how do I find out whether they have a liability order against me?

Ask the council for the details but based on the letter you state you received the Liability Order was likely granted some time ago.