7 year old council tax bill

HappyMJ

artangels wrote: »

I am self employed. My self assessment for January will be just over the income tax threshold. I have about 6k in credit card debt, this is currently at 0 interest until April 2017. I also have a 1k overpayment to pay back in tax creditswhich I'm paying back at 50 a month. If I hadn't had the tax credits at the time I would have defaulted on my cards. I pay the minimum and whatever else is spare on to my cards each month. I live in a rented house. The prospect of messing up my credit score petrifies me - would cause lots of problems in the future. I am earning slightly more this year than last but do need to invest in some business items that I've been trying to put off as long as possible.

I know that the council tax would need classed as a "priority debt" at possible cost to paying off my cards. I recently got the 0% deal and was SO relieved by it and now this. I work really hard and just want to get on with my life.

I'd ask the council to consider your personal circumstances at the time and considering what's happened they should remit the debt.

You could always get a debt relief order which will write the debt off....A DRO will also write off the credit card and the tax credits overpayment.

As you only earn around £10,000 then I'd really think about it. I doubt £10,000 goes very far when you have rent to pay and all the current bills to pay.

artangels

Thanks. I have thought long and hard about this but as I rent privately, the thought of not being able to pass a credit check makes me feel very unstable.

Before this letter came I was the most optimistic and mentally well I'd felt in ages. Work growing and going really well, debts finally at no interest, I could actually see an end to it.

The prospect of adding 2k to everything is horrific and carries a lot of emotion, it took me a very long time to stop being angry at this person and it made me very ill in the process. I know this has a very negative impact on my work, I don't want to spiral down again.

artangels

An update and further help needed please...

I sent a letter to the council requesting more information (including a request for access as mentioned on here) and stating my circumstances on this on the 16th of Nov using recorded first class post. I also sent one to the bailiff at the same time stating that I did not acknowledge the debt and was contacting the council immediately and that the other person it was addressed to was dead. Also recorded 1st class post.

Since then I've received copies of the liability orders from the bailiffs and continued threats of further charges. This morning I have received a "notice of action" stating that they'll be visiting etc.

I have received no reply from either party to my letters.

Any ideas what to do now? I'm aware that if the bailiffs visit they'll be adding more fees onto the total already listed.

Any further help and advice now would be hugely appreciated. I'm really scared.

fatbelly

The bailiffs can charge £75 per liability order at the 'compliance stage'

At the 'enforcement' stage they can charge £235 (plus 7.5% of anything over £1500) but this should cover multiple orders if they were handed them as one lump.

That's it for charges unless they can access goods.

This is now your priority debt and you should either be paying it in preference to your other debts or go for an insolvency solution like a DRO

artangels

Should I not at least deserve some kind of reply from the council on this first? I made a formal request for information.

dancingfairy

Sadly it appears you owe this money even though you believed it had been paid/ you paid your share in good faith.
I would have a chat with national debt line about your options going forward. It may be worth a complaint to the council regarding the length of time it has taken the council to contact you. I'd also make it clear that the relationship was difficult, you paid the money in good faith to your partner and your ex partner has since committed suicide. In my opinion they should have held bailiff action until they had written to you but perhaps they asked the bailiffs to give it to you and the assumed it was dealt with? Given the situation do far ie lack of contact, length of time taken to contact you and the fact you are a vulnerable person you should ask the council to urgently recall the debt from the bailiffs.
You may find your local councillor is able to help you and put pressure on the council to recall this debt.
You do need to have a chat with national debt line regarding whether a dro or some sort of payment plan is the best way forward.
I'm sorry you find yourself in such a difficult position with things but national debt line will help you sort it
Df

artangels

Thank you. I have written to the council two weeks ago and asked them to consider my circumstances. I've had no reply. I don't think they care.

dancingfairy

Unfortunately councils aren't always the quickest at replying. I'd consider contacting your local councillor. A good one knows they are elected by the people and is usually happy to help. They should be able to put a rocket up the council.
You have done nothing wrong here. Yes you owe the money but it is hardly your fault it has taken the council so long to come after you.
Have a read of the national debt lines website as they have a really useful fact sheet on council tax recovery. The main points are a) do not let the bailiffs in under any circumstances, not to talk to you, not to phone the office, not to use the loo, not because they will break in ( this is a lie). Do not let them in under any circumstance whatsoever or your bill will vastly instead. You must not let them in. Also move your car as far from your house as possible. You will get this sorted but it may be a bit rocky for a week or 2. The bailiffs will eventually after a number of visits give up and return the debt to the council so you need to ride it out until then. Keep pushing the council to take the debt back yourself as it may help to speed the process up.
Df

dancingfairy

If I was you I would seriously consider a dro right now. Pay the fee and draw a line under what has clearly been a difficult time for you
I can understand how devastating it must be but maybe you need a fresh start?
Frankly your mental health must come first. At the end of the day it is only money.
Df

dancingfairy

dancingfairy wrote: »

If I was you I would seriously consider a dro right now. Pay the fee and draw a line under what has clearly been a difficult time for you
I can understand how devastating it must be but maybe you need a fresh start?
Frankly your mental health must come first. At the end of the day it is only money.
Df

P.s nobody should judge you whether you go for a dro or a DMP. You are clearly doing your best in difficult circumstances.