Red council tax bill help

iammumtoone

Not sure it this is the right board for this. (sorry if it isn't)

I have received a red council tax bill they want payment within 7 days!! I did appeal against the original bill, I was claiming JSA at the time so was entitled to council tax support but they billed me. After having spoken to them today I find out my original appeal was not received, apparently they send out confirmation letters to confirm they have received it, to be fair I did not receive one BUT at the time I was told to send in a written appeal I was not told to expect a confirmation reply.

I have sent in another appeal (via email this time) but they are saying the appeal will take time to process and they cannot halt the debt collecting process of the bill and want me to pay in full within 7 days, if I don't it goes to to legal proceedings.

What can I do?? I don't have the money to pay it within 7 days, it is their mistake they should have told me to check that I got a confirmation that they had received my appeal. I was thinking it was all going through.

I do pay full council tax for this year (the amount in dispute is for last year) would I be better stopping this years payments and putting that money towards this? How long would it then take them to send me a red bill for this years payments? Do you think my appeal would have been processed by then (I am hoping it will be successful)

The other thing it mentions is if I don't pay I lose my right to pay monthly, will this be for this years bill as well (I haven't been late on any payments), will they then be expecting me to pay all of this year up front as well :eek::eek:

Thanks

CIS

What can I do?? I don't have the money to pay it within 7 days, it is their mistake they should have told me to check that I got a confirmation that they had received my appeal. I was thinking it was all going through.

Any appeal against a council tax benefit/support claim does not legally prevent the council tax being collected in the meantime. Whether they hold action or not at this stage is at the councils discretion.

The other thing it mentions is if I don't pay I lose my right to pay monthly, will this be for this years bill as well (I haven't been late on any payments), will they then be expecting me to pay all of this year up front as well :eek::eek:

If you don't make payment for the year they will issue a reminder notice, if that's not paid then you would be issued with a court summons and lose the right to pay by instalments.

iammumtoone

Thank you so much for your help.

They won't wait for the appeal so looks like it will have to be paid. I cannot afford to lose the right to pay monthly I will be in trouble every year then.

Whats the number of the payday loan people??? only joking I wont do that (have to laugh otherwise I might cry!)

The money has to come from somewhere. Ebay here I come, but even then I don't think I will get it within 7 days! Is there any chance they will give me an extension on the 7 days?

CIS

The money has to come from somewhere. Ebay here I come, but even then I don't think I will get it within 7 days! Is there any chance they will give me an extension on the 7 days?

It's unlikely they would extend the 7 days as this period is set in legislation however there may be a bit of leeway after the 7 days by the they get around to issuing a summons after the final notice.

iammumtoone

Thank you again

I have now discovered that they will accept a credit card payment so thats what it will be. I have worked so hard to get my credit card debt down but needs must. They charge a fee for paying by card (not sure what it is, hope its not much) but at least if my appeal is successful I will be able to pay it back.

kindlefirebabe

I'm pleased you have been able to come up with a short term solution and I hope that you are successful with your appeal. Give yourself a pat on the back for having money on your credit card you could use. That's exactly the sort of unplanned expense a credit card should be used for. It might still be worth you selling some stuff on ebay to help pay off your credit card though as you can't afford to wait for the outcome of the appeal before paying it off. Especially as you don't know if it is to be successful.