Council tax arrears advice

championless

Hi everyone

Posting on behalf of a friend who is extremely stressed right now after dealing with Jacobs bailiffs. She owes arrears and originally set up a payment arrangement for £50 a month. She asked for payment on 1st of each month but they are wanting it on 25th of each month. As a result, her payment arrangement failed and she was 3 days late making her latest payment.

She spoke to them and they refused to set up the arrangement again for the correct date and have threatened her with a bailiff visit.

Are they allowed to do this if she’s requesting to pay and they’re refusing? She can’t afford to pay in full but can and is willing to pay £50 a month until it’s clear. Why are they refusing? In the letter it says to ring but she’s obviously getting nowhere. Any help appreciated.

Thanks

CakeCrusader

If they send a bailiff to visit it will bump up the amount that she has to pay, so it's advisable for her to stick to the arrangement. Is it possible for her to get hold of £50, make a payment on time, put the £50 payment that she would have made on the 1st aside and use that to make a payment on the 25th (and so on)?



Does your friend have any disabilities, or something that makes her vulnerable (like is she a single parent, or has an illness)? Bailiffs have to treat vulnerable people differently (clear information, a bit more understanding).

CIS

There is no requirement for the council or enforcement agent to accept anything other full payment - any offer of a payment arrangement following a liability order is at their discretion.

In respect of vulnerability there is no specific definition - the guidance on enforcement states that any vulnerability should be considered and acted upon where required however the decision on what is a vulnerability and how it is dealt with is down to the council/enforcement agent. Not everyone in a particular situation is automatically vulnerable - for example a single parent earning £50 per week may be vulnerable where one earning £500 per week is not - vulnerability can be relative.

datlex

Does your friends council allow online payments? If they do might be worth stopping the DD and making manual payments. She will however need to be disciplined.

championless

CakeCrusader wrote: »

If they send a bailiff to visit it will bump up the amount that she has to pay, so it's advisable for her to stick to the arrangement. Is it possible for her to get hold of £50, make a payment on time, put the £50 payment that she would have made on the 1st aside and use that to make a payment on the 25th (and so on)?


Does your friend have any disabilities, or something that makes her vulnerable (like is she a single parent, or has an illness)? Bailiffs have to treat vulnerable people differently (clear information, a bit more understanding).

She made the £50 payment this month, just 3 days late. So cant use it to pay next month. But they!!!8217;re saying that it!!!8217;s failed and they!!!8217;re sending a bailiff even though she!!!8217;s trying to deal with it and get it sorted.

She does have mental health issues, which is why she!!!8217;s in this mess in the first place due to burying her head in the sand unfortunately.

If the letter says contact them or they!!!8217;ll send the bailiffs and when she rings, they don!!!8217;t care about her offers of payments, they!!!8217;re sending the bailiff regardless, what!!!8217;s she to do? Incur more costs when she is trying to sort things out?!

championless

championless

datlex wrote: »

Does your friends council allow online payments? If they do might be worth stopping the DD and making manual payments. She will however need to be disciplined.

Yes it does, but it’s the bailiffs who are asking for the money. Can she just pay council direct, as the amounts differ I think that the council have and what the bailiffs have?

CakeCrusader

Your friend could do with going to the CAB for some help. The bailiffs would have added their own fees to the debt so their balance will differ, but she could do with calling the council (or the CAB can do this if your friend finds it difficult).

CIS

championless wrote: »

Yes it does, but it’s the bailiffs who are asking for the money. Can she just pay council direct, as the amounts differ I think that the council have and what the bailiffs have?

Paying the council direct does not remove the enforcement agent fees so unless the whole amount + fees is paid to the council (who will pass it to the enforcement agent anyway) then the enforcement agent will still continue to act.

brightorangeapple

Hi Guys, I have recently fallen behind with my council tax 19/20 bill, I have missed 2 payments -this was due to a relationship breakdown, my income is limited, but I am generally good with money - but having 2 incomes down to 1, I fell into a mess for 2 months.


I have contacted my council to advise them why I had fallen behind and apologised. I said I couldn't afford the 2 payments in one go, I asked if I could spread the 2 months out and increase my direct debits - they have advised I submit and income and expenditure to them which I have done.


I then received an email stating that they have received my income + expenditure and that a summons has been sent to me today 18/06/2019 - and then I will have a liability order issued and I may have to have earnings deducted!


I kind of panicked as I don't want my employers knowing I have had difficulties recently as everything is fine now I just want to bring the account to date.


the lady who emailed me also said that my offer of £50 extra per month isn't enough - I have emailed back stating ill pay whatever a month - just don't take it to court or have a liability order against me.


I am willing to comply - as I always pay my bills every month - she hasn't reply but I just want some advise regarding this I am more than happy increasing my direct debits - its expected as I have responsibility to ensure this is paid, but I just want to ask - would they be reasonable, would they rather me pay increased direct debits - or would they rather get a liability court order/baliff etc




any help is needed, never been in this position I have no idea how this works.


thank you

CIS

I then received an email stating that they have received my income + expenditure and that a summons has been sent to me today 18/06/2019 - and then I will have a liability order issued and I may have to have earnings deducted!

Once you have defaulted the council don't have to accept any payment arrangements. Legally they can apply for the liability order and issue an attachment of earnings order without any agreement from yourself.
It is down to the council at this stage as to what they will accept as an arrangement (or whether they accept one at all).