We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
Council tax woes
Ineedsomeadvice
Posts: 3 Newbie
I'm not sure if i am posting this in the right subsection - apologies if I'm not.
I have council tax arrears with Stevenage council but dealing with them is near impossible. Calling them just leads to you being left on hold in-definitely. I have spoken to them once eve after 30 minutes on hold. Their main call centre won't discuss payment plans. Writing is equally pointless.
I have previous council tax arrears which reached the point of bailiffs being at my door. I finally managed to speak to the council and they agreed to recall the debt. they were also made aware of mental health and anxiety issues, not least because I broke down to their general customer service department after discovering I had been on hold for 30 minutes to a department that was actually closed. I made an agreement and made some sizable payments but the bailiffs continued calling at my home on at least 2 more occassions. In the end they only stopped because I showed them a letter from the council confirming the arrangement that they confirmed that they were unaware of! This debt has been paid in part, but not full. And another debt ageny are involved who seem intent on bullying me and won't listen to the fact that I don't agree with the amount and don't understand how the debt is with them with no notification from the council.
As an aside to that issue I have today received a letter taking me to court for the 2014-2015 council tax. I missed the first 2 payments, have paid the others and for around 6-8 weeks have been paying £10 a week to clear the 2 months (approximately £160) arrears. This has never formally been agreed as it is impossible to speak to them but a letter was sent asking them to reply if not appropriate.
I have no idea what to do. I think they are negligent in the way that they are dealing with the debt. I'm assuming that there must be laws/regulations that have been breached by accepting an arrangement and then continuing to use bailiffs to attempt to enforce it. I feel totally harassed and stressed and not sure what to do next.
My gut feeling is to attend the court date and tell the judge that I feel that I am being harassed and that Stevenage Council make dealing with them near impossible. Is there any point in taking this line of action? And if there is do I have scope to change the court date as sod's law I have unavoidable work commitments that day
I have council tax arrears with Stevenage council but dealing with them is near impossible. Calling them just leads to you being left on hold in-definitely. I have spoken to them once eve after 30 minutes on hold. Their main call centre won't discuss payment plans. Writing is equally pointless.
I have previous council tax arrears which reached the point of bailiffs being at my door. I finally managed to speak to the council and they agreed to recall the debt. they were also made aware of mental health and anxiety issues, not least because I broke down to their general customer service department after discovering I had been on hold for 30 minutes to a department that was actually closed. I made an agreement and made some sizable payments but the bailiffs continued calling at my home on at least 2 more occassions. In the end they only stopped because I showed them a letter from the council confirming the arrangement that they confirmed that they were unaware of! This debt has been paid in part, but not full. And another debt ageny are involved who seem intent on bullying me and won't listen to the fact that I don't agree with the amount and don't understand how the debt is with them with no notification from the council.
As an aside to that issue I have today received a letter taking me to court for the 2014-2015 council tax. I missed the first 2 payments, have paid the others and for around 6-8 weeks have been paying £10 a week to clear the 2 months (approximately £160) arrears. This has never formally been agreed as it is impossible to speak to them but a letter was sent asking them to reply if not appropriate.
I have no idea what to do. I think they are negligent in the way that they are dealing with the debt. I'm assuming that there must be laws/regulations that have been breached by accepting an arrangement and then continuing to use bailiffs to attempt to enforce it. I feel totally harassed and stressed and not sure what to do next.
My gut feeling is to attend the court date and tell the judge that I feel that I am being harassed and that Stevenage Council make dealing with them near impossible. Is there any point in taking this line of action? And if there is do I have scope to change the court date as sod's law I have unavoidable work commitments that day
0
Comments
-
I suggest you post this on the Debtfree wannabe board where you will get a better response.0
-
Thanks - ive reposted it there0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 345.8K Banking & Borrowing
- 251K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 450.9K Spending & Discounts
- 237.8K Work, Benefits & Business
- 612.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 174.3K Life & Family
- 251K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards