Court date for unpaid NI rates bill

mrsrwallace

Hey
As some of you all know, my recent history re my mortgage and debt etc is starting to head in the right direction. However, as the mortgage was our main concern we aimed to pay it before all else. So now we are facing a rates bill which we have not paid. At the time we did arrange a payment plan to make the payments but because we were playing catch-up constantly with our pay coming in to the bank then straight back out and the late payments and Christmas and a car that needed fixed etc etc we fell behind with the rates. Now we have received a court date for the New Year. Now can anyone tell me what happens there as regards proceedings, fine/penalty/criminal record? I have never been to court about anything and have no idea if I will get a criminal record over the head of this. I do know that they want the full amount paid plus £30 fee before the court date for no further action to happen BUT we don't have that money and our wages are not due til the end of January and wouldn't have a hope in getting an overdraft temporarily. What's the worst that can happen and do we have to attend court and if so do we have to speak in the court? As in explain our situation and how we are not avoiding the bill just that we are not in a position to pay the full wack in one go? Any advice/help/info MUCH appreciated.

ballyblack

McKneff

Sorry you are on the NI board (NORTHERN IRELAND) and we HAVE NI rates





.

elliemoo

Can you go to the CAB or similar, explain your situation and they may be able to negotiate with NI Rates on your behalf or provide you with legal advice, advice on the court proceedings?

Old_Git

Not judging here ,you had a payment plan that you didnt stick to so how far behind are you now .Can you renegotiate the repayment .The rates just see you as not willing to pay .

poster cathy2702 will be able to advise what the rates dept can or cant do to help.

wifeforlife

This will be a CCJ against you if it goes ahead, to be honest you don't need to turn up, the only people who do are normally solicitors or those contesting the cases.

You need an arrangement to pay, realistically you want to clear 100% of your current years rates before 31st March and half or a third of the arrears outstanding. Have a look at your bill and see if this is realistic for you, if not then it will probably have to go ahead.

PM me and I'll help you work this out, no matter what don't panic!

jtk174

Make contact with the Rates office asap. They will try to help.
If it does end up in court, you will end up with a CCJ ( County Court Judgement ) against you and this will appear on any credit appliations you make over the next 6? years. If you do not appear, the judgement will be made in your absence.

Do something about it right away.

McKneff

ballyblack wrote: »

McKneff

Sorry you are on the NI board (NORTHERN IRELAND) and we HAVE NI rates



.

My apologies, I realised later. Ive deleted my post.

mrsrwallace

thanks for the replies
yip OldGit we did have a plan in place and it was our own fault we never renegotiated the terms in time to allow for the costs involved in the mortgage etc. I have no objection to paying the bill, it is what we owe and that's fine. Not particularly worried about the CCJ as those who know me from this board will know my credt rating has been shot to f**k and I have no intention of ever applying for credit again in my lifetime so another mark against me is nothing to worry about in my opinion. I had just worried about getting a criminal record for having to be taken to court. Cathy2702 thank you for your post. I will PM you some figures.

ballyblack

it will be a Civil judgement in the Civil (not criminal)court

mrsrwallace

hi, just been on to nidirect.gov and discovered that i have nothing to fear. Don't even have to attend the court, just wait for the decree to be issued from the court and then contact Land and Property Services with a payment arrangement to sort out the bill, will NOT be defaulting on this one! thanks anyway folks

irishjohn

Glad to hear it Mrs W - you deserve some good Karma for the way you have approached the disasters 2012 threw at you - Here's hoping 2013 is much better for you and Hubby. Hope his new job is going well