DRO - Scottish Council Tax bill

Saffron66

Hi everyone

I wonder if anyone can help me with my query. I just got off the phone to the Insolvency Service and the man I spoke to didn't seem too sure. (Which doesn't do much for my confidence level seeing it is that organisation that passes the DRO)!

Basically, I need to know if a Council Tax bill from Edinburgh will be accepted in a DRO. There was a dreadful ding-dong with my former landlord regarding the notice period I gave, but it seems the girl at the agency didn't pass on my message. Today I received a Council Tax bill for £344 (approx two months). When I phoned the Insolvency Service to ask if it would be accepted I was told "I see no reason why not". 😕
That's not a straight yes or no answer really and not what I wanted to hear!

I would really appreciate it if someone could let me know. If my DRO is rejected not only would I have wasted £90 but I won't be able to apply again until 2021!! 😥 Thanks so much x

fatbelly

DROs are handled by a separate DRO Unit. I think if you had phoned them you might have got a better answer.

Buried in the Intermediary Guidance notes there is the following:

Please note for this purpose a debt incurred and enforceable in Scotland and Northern Ireland may still be subject to enforcement action within those national courts but any order may not be enforced in England and Wales.

So this becomes an unenforceable debt in England/Wales, but could still be enforced in Scotland.

The DRO won't be revoked because of this issue. I'm assuming that there are a few thousand pounds of other debts in it.

Saffron66

Hi Fatbelly

Yes, the total debt is around £10,000.

I managed to speak to a different person at at the IS a few hours later and he seemed quite confidant that this bill will be accepted. But the first call still has me concerned....😏