Big trouble with Council Tax....

Phoenix27_2

Yes I am working full time. Not having sick pay. Partner was made reduntant from a short term job and due to depression hadn't made enough NI contributions in the previous two years to qualify for JSA. That is how I understand it.

Because I earn approx 30K that is enough to say that we wouldn't be entitled to Council tax credits etc.

Eager_Elephant

Phoenix27 wrote: »

Thanks I haven't had a payment arrangement this year. So I will say that. Because I earn enough apparently on my own we are not entitled to any council tax benefit.

I really don't want bailiffs etc and my name in the paper on the courts page. The only things I have a few small items in the flat.

If I can't calm down I will get sick and how will that help. Sorry have a banging headache.

Thanks for all of your advice.

I have never known anyone's name to go in the paper for council tax arrears - if they started doing that whole papers would be taken up with naming everyone!!


Once the Liability Order has been granted you then get sent a 14 day notice - if you don't contact the council before then they can send it to the bailiff. Getting a LO does not mean the bailiff will call so don't worry about that.


Remember that any offer you make should be higher in the next few months and then lower from April because from April you will get the new yearly bill and those payments will need to be made. For example if you offer £100pm and your usual monthly amount from April is £110 you would have to find £210 every month.


It's great you have a lump sum to offer them but if this has to be paid back over the next few months then this will leave you even more strapped for cash.


Although you might not be entitled to CTB, are you entitled to other benefits?

Eager_Elephant

Phoenix27 wrote: »

Yes I am working full time. Not having sick pay. Partner was made reduntant from a short term job and due to depression hadn't made enough NI contributions in the previous two years to qualify for JSA. That is how I understand it.

Because I earn approx 30K that is enough to say that we wouldn't be entitled to Council tax credits etc.

Cross posted - no you won't be entitled to any other benefits.


Could you post up a financial statement as we need to get you being able to afford all your bills including council tax all year round?

Phoenix27_2

Thanks so much for the advice. I will get a statement together.

Partly it hasn't helped that my eye has been off the ball what with being poorly. No excuse I know.

CIS

Once the Liability Order has been granted you then get sent a 14 day notice - if you don't contact the council before then they can send it to the bailiff. Getting a LO does not mean the bailiff will call so don't worry about that.

Not always - 14 days notice issued under Regulation 36 doesn't have to be sent to a person. Most council's will do but it's optional. They can send it to an enforcement agent as soon as the Liability Order is granted, the agent then has to give 7 days notice (minimum of enforcement action).

Because I earn approx 30K that is enough to say that we wouldn't be entitled to Council tax credits etc.

An Attachment of Earnings Order is much more likely than instruction of an enforcement agent if you earn this much.

I have never known anyone's name to go in the paper for council tax arrears!

Nor have I.

Phoenix27_2

After another sleepless night I have finally spoken to them. It was a very nice chap.

I explained the circumstances but his hands are basically tied. I paid £400.

He said as I had done so he would give me a payment arrangement for the other £384.00 to be paid by the 15th March.

He said it will still go to court as the Summons has been issued, but they should be able to see that I have made the arrangement directly with the council.

Does that mean they will still apply for the liability order or not? That was the only point that still confused me.

It won't appear in the paper because apparently they would take up the whole paper for approx 2.5months.

Thanks to those that were kind enough to help me.

National_Debtline

Hi Phoenix

If it is still going to court it is to obtain a Liability Order. It sounds like it will be more of a formality at this point though if the council adviser said they will set up a payment arrangement. The key thing is that you are showing willingness to pay.

They probably want the Liability Order just in case you stop paying so they can then start the enforcement process more quickly.

James
@natdebtline

CIS

I would echo the post above - the Liability Order is the council's insurance against any default and is standard policy across most councils.

Loznella27

Hi I'm new to this site but would appreciate someone's help!

I received an notice of enforcement regarding an unpaid council tax bill from April 2013 to October 2013. I paid this through an attachment of earnings through the company I worked for at the time. I've had no further correspondence from the council since I stopped paying the attachment in January 2014. As far as I was aware I was paying it...I was none the wiser that obviously the company hasn't paid it and they have since gone into administration! Can I still be liable for this debt even though the council forced the AOE on me? I had no choice but to pay it! I do have wage slips to prove that I was paying an attachment!

I hope someone can help!

Thank you!

CIS

Loznella27 wrote: »

Hi I'm new to this site but would appreciate someone's help!

I received an notice of enforcement regarding an unpaid council tax bill from April 2013 to October 2013. I paid this through an attachment of earnings through the company I worked for at the time. I've had no further correspondence from the council since I stopped paying the attachment in January 2014. As far as I was aware I was paying it...I was none the wiser that obviously the company hasn't paid it and they have since gone into administration! Can I still be liable for this debt even though the council forced the AOE on me? I had no choice but to pay it! I do have wage slips to prove that I was paying an attachment!

I hope someone can help!

Thank you!

The employer was legally obliged to remove money from your wages and pass it to the council however if the money isn't received then the balance still remains due. You would need to take action against the company for any monies but you'll probably not get anything back from them.

You're still liable for any unpaid council tax although I have known some councils write off money in these circumstances (you can but ask).