Council Tax Summons Costs

FataVerde

Thank you all for your replies. An update on my experience in case it might help others. As people responding to my questions suggested, the decision on whether to cancel the summons costs depends on the council and I would say, on the individual you happen to interact with. Because my council had some connection problems, I couldn't get somebody on the phone for 24h and wrote an email instead, explaining my situation, mentioning that I paid the amount owed in full minus the summons costs and asking if we can find an arrangement for that. The next day, I got somebody over the phone who said they can do nothing about the summons costs and to go ahead and pay them. Today, just as I was about to pay, I received a reply to my email, saying they cancelled the summons costs and the court appointment as I had brought my account to date. My suggestion would be to try to use email correspondence as you will have decisions in writing. I would also suggest trying a few times because these aspects do not seem to be well regulated so it clearly depends on who you get to chat with. Lesson Learned: next step, Direct Debit.

Robbie64

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Yes the decision to waive costs is a discretionary one and it will depend on who you interact with. The people who answer the phone aren't always the people who can make the decision to write off the costs. As you've discovered, emailing them is often a better way. You have the answer in writing but just as importantly they have your request in writing. Unlike when on the phone they can't just simply shrug their shoulders and tell you to pay up before moving on to the next call.