Bailiff charges for council tax arrears

forexanalyst

Hello mse crew,

I moved house last year within borough and failed to get the message across to the council that we had left the old property (we had been renting). I cancelled the direct debot and called them to tell them but since it was in my wife's name they didn't allow me to close the account. I also filled out a moving house form but again this was not accepted as it wasn't my wife doing it. My wife had some health issues and it got a bit manic and I forgot to carry out the closing of the account. I knew I had paid enough to cover my liability anyway and that I was only missing out on a small refund.

6 months later the new tenants told us we had mail concerning our outstanding bill so I got my wife to close the account and they put it to zero and gave us the small refund owed. They did not mention anything about debt recovery or extra costs.

6 months after that (last week) my wife received a phone call and text message stating we owe £310 to Newlyn debt recovery for council tax arrears.

We phone the council and they confirm that we owe nothing. They pass us on to the recovery team and they state that it is the bailiff fees that are still outstanding from the 6 months where the bill was unpaid (even though we didn't owe money for services rendered considering we were not living there)

My argument is that since we have never had anything from the bailiffs about charges since all the mail was sent to our old address, surely this £310 is excessive?!

I am also worried on how they got to this £310, if it went to court, do I have a ccj against me? etc. Newlyn are the debt recovery people and are not helpful at all when you call them, they just want the funds. The council recovery team said we have to pay it.
I have emailed the council again with timelines etc explaining out situation but they take at least two weeks to respond. In the meantime the bailiffs might be hassling the tenants at our old house, or they might find out where we live now and come and hassle us. I know if I pay the bailiffs I will never see the money again!!!

Is there anything I am missing here that I should be doing? Or indeed am I completely liable and should just pay the amount owed?

Thanks for any advice.

J

forexanalyst

26/07/22 Update

I had advice from DebtFreeLondon who said I should not be liable for the fees since I was never in arrears for the time I was in the property. They said that emailing the generic email will be slow and tedious and that I should write to the Chief Executive of Redbridge Borough Council and cc in the council tax people as well as the Head of district Services. so I think I will try this route via letter and email.

Any other advice still more than welcome.

lincroft1710

If it goes to court, then you should be informed of this and be given the opportunity to attend and present your defence. Only if there is a judgement against you and you fail to pay, would there be a CCJ