Council tax issue

Hendrix_lennon

Hi folks, I'm hoping someone can offer some advice about this.
My current girlfriend has been landed with an unpaid council tax bill that is from a property she rented with an ex and a friend.
Neither of them, despite her contacting them, are agreeing to pay a penny to the historic bill.
The people chasing it up only have her details.

Can anybody advise what she can do to ensure that the bill is split fairly?

Thank you.

lincroft1710

The answer you won't want to hear :

The council can legally pursue her for the whole bill. Where there are joint tenancies, each tenant is jointly and severally liable for the CT bill, in other words, any of the joint tenants can be pursued for the whole bill.

If her former co-tenants won't and don't pay her their share, then your gf could take them to court for the money owed, using MoneyClaimOnLine. She could also inform the council (or their agents) of the whereabouts of her ex and the friend.

Hendrix_lennon

That's a great help Lincroft. I'll pass on the information to her.

macman

There is no fair 'split' as far as the LA is concerned: that is a matter for the tenants to resolve between them, and not something the LA will get involved in. If hers is the only name they have, it's her they will pursue for the total debt. Even if they have all 3 names, they won't necessarily pursue them all if they think they can recover successfully from your girlfriend.

Hendrix_lennon

That's out of order in all honesty. Her ex basically told her he was refusing to help towards it because his car needs a new clutch. It's unfair that she's having to face the bill herself.

quietriot

Hendrix_lennon wrote: »

Her ex basically told her he was refusing to help towards it because his car needs a new clutch.

Tell him that if he doesn't help his car will need a lot more than a new clutch.

(Don't actually damage the car, that would be illegal)

Coneygree

Just tell her to ring them cooperate with them and explain the situation, tell them she can't pay it all in one go but would be willing to pay a weekly amount. She won't really miss it then , n there normally quite good with people who cooperate.