Claiming back the summon costs (council tax). How?

sophie43

Evening everybody,

I'm gonna try to explain my situation clearly.

I've moved to a new address within the same council mid of September 2012. I did the change of address on line straight away. By the time I had to make my monthly payment in October, I still hadn't received a new bill from the council. So I made my payment using the ref number of my previous address.

In December, I received a letter from the council telling me I was in arrear. Turns out, the payment I made in October had been credited to my previous address. So on my current address I appeared in arrears. I asked the lady over the phone to do the transfer. She couldn't, I had to come in person (very convenient when they don't open on Saturdays and my husband and I both work full time :mad: ).

Anyway, I forgot the whole think. My husband or I meant to take some time to go there but in the Christmas madness, somehow we forgot.

Now I'm faced with a summon for nonpayment. I have paid my outstanding balance with the council (If I had known I would have done that last month, don't know why I didn't :mad:).

Anyway, I'm still left with £125 of summons costs. It pains me to pay that money because technically I HAVE paid monthly. Not my fault they took forever to send me a new ref number. I want to challenge this. So here are my questions:
1/ Do I stand a chance?
2/ Should I pay first and contest or contest before paying?

Thanks very much for your help

[Deleted User]

I don't think you have a chance of getting this money back now.

Did the case go to Court? or did you settle before they got to the court date? Or did they proceed anyway so that they could get the money if you don't pay in the future?

I know that the Council can cancel the charges if they wish, but it's usually if they wish.

I think there will be onus on you to ensure you get the number from them even if they don't send it to you. Very much like the TV license, I had a very similar issue.

sophie43

assj wrote: »

I don't think you have a chance of getting this money back now.

Did the case go to Court? or did you settle before they got to the court date? Or did they proceed anyway so that they could get the money if you don't pay in the future?

I know that the Council can cancel the charges if they wish, but it's usually if they wish.

I think there will be onus on you to ensure you get the number from them even if they don't send it to you. Very much like the TV license, I had a very similar issue.

Thanks for your help.

The Court appearance is around the 28th of Jan. I've paid everything last week.

[Deleted User]

Ok in that case, follow the instructions provided, i.e. pay everything and or attend Court.

Immediately complain to the most senior manager you can at the Council, explain why this was unfair and request that you don't pay the fees or have them refunded.

I understand that they can do this, they have simply sent you a letter and put you on a bulk list.

If you get no luck go to a member of the Council, either the leader or your local Cllr. Keep pushing and you may succeed. HTH