Council tax- Dont even know where to start

torch2010

Hi. I have looked over this forum and really hope someone can help me. In December we had a visit from a bailiff about an outstanding amount of council tax. We didn't owe this amount but the council had made a mistake with our claim. When we realised we called them but they told us other was too late to appeal the decision. Next we know a bailiff is on our door step demanding £50 a month that we really don't have. My husband was recently made redundant and after losing a contract at my job my hours have been cut. I called the company and asked if we could reduce the monthly repayments but were told they were unable to help.

Over the xmas period we received letters from the council stating they were taking us to court for unpaid council tax. I know I should just go and see them but I have been hiding from this for so long. I have no idea if they are also going to want £50 a month too which I just cannot afford.

If anyone can help I would be most grateful

LMac

Huh? Did they make a mistake with the claim and were undercharging you, and they have now realised the error and are asking for the extra? Or they made a mistake and are using incorrect figures now?

torch2010

LMac wrote: »

Huh? Did they make a mistake with the claim and were undercharging you, and they have now realised the error and are asking for the extra? Or they made a mistake and are using incorrect figures now?

Should have explained that. In Aug 2011 our daughter was born. We handed in a new housing benefit form in which we should have been entitled to more council tax benefit. They lost the form but we didn't know this until Aug 2012.
So they had been under paying us for a year

ViolaLass

If they've been underpaying you, how does that result in you owe them money?

stephane_2

torch2010 wrote: »

Should have explained that. In Aug 2011 our daughter was born. We handed in a new housing benefit form in which we should have been entitled to more council tax benefit. They lost the form but we didn't know this until Aug 2012.
So they had been under paying us for a year

You are not making sense.....start again!

torch2010

This is my point. No one at the council is able to tell me why we owe this when we are entitled to full council tax benefit. The amount the bailiff wants is correct, we do owe that but now they keep sending court summons with new amounts
These are apparently for different time frames but during those times we have been entitled to benefit!!

CIS

This is my point. No one at the council is able to tell me why we owe this when we are entitled to full council tax benefi

Until such time a claim is calculated and benefit awarded then all you have is an entitlement, an entitlement does not make an actual award of benefit.

We didn't owe this amount but the council had made a mistake with our claim.

Legally you owe the council tax until it is paid, either by yourself or by council tax benefit.

we do owe that but now they keep sending court summons with new amounts

For a new summons to be issued you have to have first received a new council tax demand and at least 1 reminder. A new demand wuld only be issued if your circumstances had changed so why did you not contact them when you got the demand notice or reminder ?