Joint council tax - Other person not paying

Toonpatriot_2

hi all. I recently moved out of a house I shared with a friend. She has basically resented the fact I have moved out and is refusing to pay her half (£140) of the council tax and now I am getting reminders.

I have a receipt for the half I have paid.

What can I do if she doesn't pay? I don't want a CCJ. please help, this is driving me up the wall.

National_Debtline

Hi Toonpatriot

I'm afraid the council are perfectly entitled to pursue you for the full balance if your ex-flatmate doesn't stump up her share. That said, you should ensure you promptly update the council on your new whereabouts so that you are not held liable for any further arrears that accrue at your old address.

Council tax arrears will NEVER result in a CCJ. Instead, the council will get something called a "liability order" from the magistrates court if they want to use, for example, bailiffs.

Of course, the same action can be taken against your ex-flatmate.

So what can you do if she doesn't pay? I would suggest that you sit down and work out a Statement of Affairs (SoA) to determine how much you can offer towards this debt each month if you can't clear it straight away.

Feel free to read the National Debtline fact sheet on council tax for further info:

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=02_bailiffs_and_council_tax

All the best

Dennis @NDL

Toonpatriot_2

So If she does not pay, I will end up paying?

Toonpatriot_2

Also. They only have my address, not hers

National_Debtline

Toonpatriot wrote: »

Also. They only have my address, not hers

Not sure I follow. Didn't you say it was you that had moved out? In which case she is still at the address that the bill relates to, or has she moved out as well?

Toonpatriot_2

We both moved out to separate addresses.
thanks for your reply.

Toonpatriot_2

I have paid half of the amount owed (my share) and have a receipt.
she isn't paying hers.

National_Debtline

OK, thanks for clarifying. If you have any idea of where she has moved to, provide the council with that info. I'm assuming you don't however, in which case the council will just pursue whoever they can locate.

How far have the council gone in pursuing the outstanding balance so far? Any reminders?

If and when the council does seek a liability order for the debt, be aware that court costs will be added. These will generally be somewhere between £60-£100, so there may come a stage where it is actually cheaper for you to bite the bullet and settle the remaining debt before it rises. Galling, I appreciate.

Dennis @NDL

Toonpatriot_2

Well I receive a reminder, then told them I am yet to receive a bill so there is a 30 day freeze on reminders.

almamatters1985

Hi,

I was in this situation a few years ago with the WORST PERSON I have had the misfortune to meet. He refused to pay his half and I thought "Oh, no big deal, I'll just tell the Council and they'll understand."

Unfortunately not, as CT isn't a per person bill its per house, so they have zero interest in who pays as long as someone does. I moved out and ended up having money taken out of my wage directly until it was paid off. Then a while later I received a letter saying that council tax was still owing so I informed them of the details of where my ex-housemate worked and told them to take it from his wage as they had done to me. And they did! Would've loved to have seen the look on his face!

National_Debtline

SlitheryElf wrote: »

Hi,

I was in this situation a few years ago with the WORST PERSON I have had the misfortune to meet. He refused to pay his half and I thought "Oh, no big deal, I'll just tell the Council and they'll understand."

Unfortunately not, as CT isn't a per person bill its per house, so they have zero interest in who pays as long as someone does. I moved out and ended up having money taken out of my wage directly until it was paid off. Then a while later I received a letter saying that council tax was still owing so I informed them of the details of where my ex-housemate worked and told them to take it from his wage as they had done to me. And they did! Would've loved to have seen the look on his face!

I can't put it any better than that! Good for you.

Dennis @NDL