I'm stupid, council tax ignored, gone to court, not very well off :(

pound_pincher_2

I don't know where to start really. Whilst I've not got loads of debt, I do of course have my council tax. I'm totally crap with paperwork and I know they kept sending me reminders for it but I was ignoring it and putting it off. Then I totally forgot about it and the next thing I got was a letter from the court saying they were charging me £80 odd quid for the privilege of the letter and they were taking me to court for it.

I was too scared to turn up and don't know at all what to do. I was trying to apply for council tax benefit as I am eligible for it but the paperwork they wanted me to give them to complete the claim was totally unreasonable, it was about people who used to live here before I did and I don't know anything about them. The council still seem to think the pervious people ar eliving here even though I've since told them it's just me.

I don't know what to do I'm an idiot I know, I really can't afford this and I know I'm eligble for the caouncil tax benefit. Nobody has contacted me since the date on the court letter but I'm expecting bailiffs at any time. I just don't have the money to pay for it, it's nearly £1.3k!

Please somebody help me, just tell me what I need to do and I promise I'm going to turn over a fresh leaf and get this dealt with and try and put all my other affairs in order. I can't believe I've shot myself in the foot like this, I can be my own worst enemy sometimes

pp

millie2_2

Hi P_P,

Before things get any worse, please get yourself down to your local CAB and ask for help. Take all the paperwork you have and they will help to get it all sorted. You'll be amazed at how the stress fades when you've faced your problem with the help of an expert.

Let us know how you get on.

Millie

pound_pincher_2

millie2 wrote: »

Hi P_P,

Before things get any worse, please get yourself down to your local CAB and ask for help. Take all the paperwork you have and they will help to get it all sorted. You'll be amazed at how the stress fades when you've faced your problem with the help of an expert.

Let us know how you get on.

Millie

Hi Millie,

Yes thanks I was considering going down there but wanted to see if there's anything else I could do in the mean time or as well as. Do you know what they might suggest I do or anything I can prepare myself with?

Kindest thanks,
pp

moneymare

Can't see why the Council should want to know on YOUR benefit form about people who lived in the house before you.

In my experience, you should be able to complete the form with regards to your household as it stands at the moment, and providing you supply the necessary proof - you should be entitled to Benefit (if, as you say, you are eligible). The other thing to do is to contact the Council Tax Section IMMEDIATELY. Tell them you want to resolve the matter, and are in the process of completing a Benefit Form - if they now have a Liability Order through the Courts, they may be able to set up an Attachment to Benefit (if you are in receipt of Income Support or JSA). If you leave it, you will more than likely find Bailiffs knocking on your door.
Speak to the Council Tax people. We're not all monsters

pound_pincher_2

moneymare wrote: »

Can't see why the Council should want to know on YOUR benefit form about people who lived in the house before you.

In my experience, you should be able to complete the form with regards to your household as it stands at the moment, and providing you supply the necessary proof - you should be entitled to Benefit (if, as you say, you are eligible). The other thing to do is to contact the Council Tax Section IMMEDIATELY. Tell them you want to resolve the matter, and are in the process of completing a Benefit Form - if they now have a Liability Order through the Courts, they may be able to set up an Attachment to Benefit (if you are in receipt of Income Support or JSA). If you leave it, you will more than likely find Bailiffs knocking on your door.
Speak to the Council Tax people. We're not all monsters

Yes I didn't understand why they wanted that too - I think they were convinced they still lived here even though on the electroral registration form I put only myself and crossed them out.

I shall phone them first thing this morning and explain what happened. I didn't know you could get an attachment to benefits, and yes I'm on JSA at the moment. Going through a rough patch and burying my head in the sand only made things worse I reall am my own worst enemy for doing that, I have no idea why I do and then feel stupid when it blows up in my face.

Thanks for your advice and tips too,
pp

Penny2myName

Some years back I had similar problems with my Council Tax, and they made an arrangement with me like moneymare suggested and I had £2 odd a week deducted from my benefits. The one thing I have to point out, is that they do only take up to a certain amount out, you then have the balance to pay at the end, normally around the new financial year. Water are the same, but at least you do have that grace period whilst they are tacking attachments from benefits that to clear smaller debts off and start getting the money together for the balance payment at the end.

pound_pincher_2

Penny2myName wrote: »

Some years back I had similar problems with my Council Tax, and they made an arrangement with me like moneymare suggested and I had £2 odd a week deducted from my benefits. The one thing I have to point out, is that they do only take up to a certain amount out, you then have the balance to pay at the end, normally around the new financial year. Water are the same, but at least you do have that grace period whilst they are tacking attachments from benefits that to clear smaller debts off and start getting the money together for the balance payment at the end.

Yes a grace period would be really helpful at the moment.

If I am on benefits and eligible for single person discount, would they recalculate what I owe because the amount the court wanted was for the entire year at full rate. What would happen then do you think? The court says I am liable for the whole amount but that is the whole year up front with no discount. It's hard to explain.

Kindest thanks again to all, this means the world to me,
pp

saffronflowers

Yes they should recalculate your benefit - they can ONLY take £2.89 from your benefit and it should not have been passed to the bailiffs in the first place, Call them now, let me know how you get on, can you tell me what Local Authority and what Bailiff company it is.

SFx

newmum1

You could even go into the council tax office and speak to an advisor, you'd be surprised at what they can do to help you just take along a copy of your rent agreement so they can see when you moved in, also make your claim for your benefit so you can get as much help as possible. good luck

misspoppy

HI

the reason the bill is for the whole year is that if you fail to pay they say that your right to pay in installments has been removed. It sounds like a bit of a nightmare but the best you can do it phone both the court and CT and explain the situation and ask for a hold until the forms are completed. I would speak to CAB to get them to help you.

pound_pincher_2

Thanks for all your help everybody. I've taken some time off work (caring for somebody) to do this whole thing proper. I'm very nervous and in a queue waiting on the phone now.

*Crosses fingers*

Why I didn't do this so long ago I don't know, I really do myself no favours

pp


Edit:

:-O OMG
I actually did speak to a real person. I was quite frank and said I was stupid when it comes to paperwork and stuff like this and said how worried I was about bailiffs and the guy I spoke to told me not to worry and just to come on in with an income/expenditure sheet and they'd sort the bulk of it out today and even do the forms with me!

I cannot tell you what a weight that is lifted off my shoulders, he said that a new payment plan could be arranged and we'd start from scratch with the whole mess.

I cannot thank you guys enough for your help and support and advice, it means the world to me I'm still an idiot but now an idiot with a fresh leaf

Thank you all again!
pp