Council Tax Debt

talulah25

Hi all
Hoping you clever people can help, I've not had much luck elsewhere! (Im in Scotland in case it's relevant)
My partner and I have been very silly over the past 9 years and managed to get into council tax arrears of nearly £6900. I have had my wages deducted on 3 seperate orders over the last year. They have made no effort to obtain payment from my partner even though he earns substantially more than me which is slightly confusing!
Anyway, what I really wanted to know was, does anyone know if it is possible for my partner to accept full responsibility for all monies owed to council/sherrif officers? I have the chance of being put forward for a job, but one of the stipulations is that I cannot have any c.tax debt. If I were to be successful it would change our lives and probably allow us to be completely debt free within 24 months.
I know I deserve to be judged for the situation I am in, but I am pleading can you please reserve judgement as I am really desperate for an answer!

theoretica

I doubt it is possible - people you owe money to very seldom like a reduction in the number of people they can claim off. The exception would be, of course, if the way he took responsibility was by paying it all off.

talulah25

These were my thoughts too ^^^
Unfortunately not in a position to pay in full or this would not even be an issue

gpgirl

Hi, it's possible the council does not have your partners employer name and address in full and have only set deductions on your earnings because they have full details. I would ring them up and ask them to change it to your partners earnings and tell them it's worth more, and advise it would jeopardise your chance of the new job. I am no expert on the Scottish rules, but in England the police and a few financial roles frown upon employees with AOE deductions , but other employers I've not heard of having this issue. Some smaller ones don't like it due to the extra admin payroll work. Make sure to ask to speak to the recovery team and don't just accept talking to a main contact centre. You should be able to sort this out. Good luck.

National_Debtline

Hi

The council can pursue either liable person as the others have suggested. I think your best move will be to apply for a debt payment programme under the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS). It’s a consolidated payment plan through an approved money adviser which can include council tax, as well as any other unaffordable debts you may have. The key thing is that it stops the use of diligence such as earnings arrestment, and will also stop interest accruing on credit debts.

You can find more information and search for a local approved money adviser on the following website. You don’t need to use one of the companies which charge you a fee:

www.dasscotland.gov.uk

James
@natdebtline