Council Tax Court Order

lucasharrison

Hi there,

Hoping someone can help me!

Just received a Court Order for unpaid council tax.

Problem is, we didn't actually receive any bills and certainly didn't get any warning letters (although looking at our July bill it does have the amount due for each month). I've just paid off what I think we owe, but I can't believe they are allowed to issue a court order without sending warning letters first??

Concerned they will still want us to pay £52 court fees and could impact on credit rating?

cheers,

Luke

anselld

There is a long thread here on the subject ..
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/769401

I think the upshot is they need to send you a letter first but they don't need to prove you actually received it.

Best to phone them up and try to reason with them, but they are unlikely to refund a fee if it has also gone to court. Also you will have lost the ability to pay by installments so what you owe is the full amount for the year, not the original installments due.

CIS

I've just paid off what I think we owe, but I can't believe they are allowed to issue a court order without sending warning letters first??

Prior to the court summons they must have issued a council tax demand notice and at least one reminder notice. The council do not have to prove these were received, only that they were posted to the last known address.

Concerned they will still want us to pay £52 court fees and could impact on credit rating?

It won't be shown on your credit rating however the costs are still legally recoverable if unpaid, even if you have paid off the actual council tax charge.