Council Tax summons but no reminder

CIS

It was received about 3 days after the DD bounced, and said only that they'd try again within 5 days, so I don't think it can be anything other than a first reminder (and I'm not sure that "we'll try again in a few days" even qualifies as a reminder).

 It sounds like your council issue a 'failed direct debit' letter separate to any reminder notice - some councils do and some don't. They'd then issue a statutory reminder if the payment wasn't received. The first reminder would ask for the missing payment within 7 days - if that payment was not made, for whatever reason, then no further reminders would then be issued and the action would continue onwards.

It may have helped that the December letter was addressed to me only, but we both received separate summons

Statutory Bills and reminders should be issued in joint names. Any summons would be issued individually.

As an update, my wife spoke to the council, and they said that as long as the payment shows on their systems in the next few days, they'll cancel the proceedings without adding court costs

Probably the best outcome.

pickledonionspaceraider

CIS said:

About ten days later, a Summons appears at the new address in the correct name, saying you owe the paltry sum of £30 - court date set, and everything - with additional costs on top.

It shouldn't be for the new address if it was done straight away - once a council tax account is registered then a demand notice has to give a minimum of 14 days notice of payment being due and then, at the very least, a further 7 days following that before a summons could have been issued.

 I know!