Unfair council tax court fees

sazzy7_2

I've been contacted by debt collectors for money and court fees owed to Croydon Council from when I lived in a property in 2009. All of my post from that property was forwarded onto my new address and I also provided new contact details to Croydon Council but apparently this was the housing benefit department and not the council tax department and I had to contact both departments. I was receiving letters to my new address, email address and phone calls from the housing benefit department relating to an over payment which is now paid back. But there is suddenly several years later over £200 that I have to pay in owed council tax money and court fees.

I have tried to appeal saying I will pay the council tax but not the court fees and could they send me a copy of the letters and a breakdown of the charges. They have informed me they cannot send me a copy of the letters but have evidence they were sent as they bulk send all of their letters. They also won't tell me the breakdown of the charges but say I must call them in seven days to pay the full amount.

I don't know what to do. If I new about the owed money I would have paid it immediately but I can't afford to pay over £200 in seven days. I am annoyed that they had my contact details but the departments seem to be completely separate which seems rather odd in this day and age.

Any advice greatly received!

CIS

I am annoyed that they had my contact details but the departments seem to be completely separate which seems rather odd in this day and age.

The legal onus is on yourself to ensure that all departments are updated with the details.

They also won't tell me the breakdown of the charges but say I must call them in seven days to pay the full amount.

There's nothing in the council tax regulations which means they have to supply this however you should be able to make a FOI request.

I've been contacted by debt collectors for money and court fees owed to Croydon Council from when I lived in a property in 2009

Councils can use debt collectors but its more likely that they are employing bailiffs.

sazzy7_2

thanks for your help CIS. No one ever told me when I updated my details that I needed to tell another department as it wouldn't update across the company. Also I never received the letters so think it is unfair that I have these charges, no one seems to be helping me they are just being rude to me whenever I speak to them.