Court summons for unpaid council tax

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone. Today I received a court summons for unpaid council tax which informs me that the council will try and apply for a liability order against me. Basically, I paid the first month of my council tax in full and then someone informed me that as I live alone I am entitled to a discount so I began paying what I thought was the discounted amount. Now the council have advised that I owe them a sum which is greater than what it would be for my arrears as a single person, if that makes sense. Anyway, I have no problem paying the money, just wondering if I do contact them and inform them I am a single person will I receive a discount? Or will I still have to pay the full amount they quote as well as the council and court costs? I am just concerned about the up coming court hearing and would rather avoid it altogether, but at the same time I do not wish to pay something first and then dispute it as I imagine that I will be informed that paying the amount would account to admitting liability for it. Thank you

System

I'd phone them to ask, as nothing to lose doing that, its their discretion to decide whether to accept the discount and when to apply it from, when my partner moved in I told them the date but they charged me from before that

sourcrates

jimbrenz wrote: »

Basically, I paid the first month of my council tax in full and then someone informed me that as I live alone I am entitled to a discount so I began paying what I thought was the discounted amount)

Seriously ?

Did you just assume the council would accept this ?

You have to apply to the council for any reductions in your council tax liability, fill in the appropriate form, and await a decision, if successful, you would then receive a new bill, minus any reduction.

Just paying what you think is appropriate is not an option unfortunatly, and ultimately leads to the situation you are now in !!!

If you can afford it ring the council and pay this ASAP.
You won't be able to dispute it because you did not apply for council tax reduction in the first place, make sure you do for next years, don't just pay what you think they will accept.

[Deleted User]

Perhaps I was being rather naieve. Do you think there is any possible away I can have the court/council charges waived?

[Deleted User]

Also there is no one else registered as living at this property. So why would the council have assumed I was co-habiting or wasn't a single person?

sourcrates

jimbrenz wrote: »

Perhaps I was being rather naieve. Do you think there is any possible away I can have the court/council charges waived?

Only way to find out is to ring them and ask.

fatbelly

The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are two adults living in a property.

If you are the only person aged 18 or over living in your home, you are entitled to 25% off your Council Tax bill - just Fill in your council's Single Person Discount Application form - it will be on the website.

Can it be backdated?

You should apply for a discount when you first become entitled, because it is almost impossible to check backdated claims. They will not usually backdate a discount more than a short period unless you have a very good reason for not applying at the right time, and you can provide evidence to support this.

Not realising that you needed to apply is not a good reason as information regarding the discounts is made available in the council tax booklets, which are issued to every home with your council tax bill each year, as well as online. Each application will be treated on its own merits.

If you want them to consider backdating your claim a long way, you should send your application explaining why you didn't apply when you first started living alone and provide any evidence you may have to support your claim.

Good luck with that!

[Deleted User]

I realise I have been very stupid here. I will just pay it as this seems the best way forward. However, if I do pay it will the proceedings stop? Thank you.

m4rc

Don't beat yourself up about it, things happen. Just pay in full ASAP and he's it will all stop, it's not in their interest to carry on, hey can't really prosecute you for paying late, and you will have settled, most people won't have paid the year in full until next month or in some areas in !arch, so you will be all clear.

Once it's clear apply for your discount which will be applied for next year and you can pay monthly over ten months as standard, you can clear it in full (no point, it's interest free, let it stay in your account and Coke out monthly) or if you need a bit longer to pay it you can ask to pay over 12 months. They used to be able to say 'no' but new government rules mean they have to offer it. And he's, sorry but this years discount is not going to happen, all they would do is discount for February and March, so pay in full, then apply for your discount and you should find a small amount extra taken from next years amount on top of the yearly discount for 16/17.

Hope that helps

pathtofreedom

Best bet is to phone them to get the form done. I didn't get around to doing my form when my lodger moved out and it went over a council tax year. Once they confirmed the details on the form though they adjusted my payments to factor in the extra I'd been paying as a way to reduce the credit.

If you talk to them and do the form that might clear your debt, I think any other costs would come down to what judge Judy would call stupid tax.

Marktheshark

It is basically a fine/ penalty for late payment, the "court" is a hired room that just happens to be in a court.
They will not wave the penalty, they make good hard cash with this fake court scam.