Council Tax FINE!

makerveli

Hi all,

I’ve been away for over a month spending time with my dad who has cancer and when I returned to my rented flat I’ve been sent a letter from the council of an unpaid council tax bill.

This has now gone to a liability order and for me to stop this I can pay the council tax 
which is owed as well as the fines of £70! 

Where do I stand with this if I’ve been away and was unaware of the council tax reminders?

I am happy to pay but I don’t want to pay for the £70 liability order fee!

fatbelly

Give them a ring, offer to pay what is owed on the council tax.

It isn't a fine. These are (supposedly) costs incurred in obtaining a liability order

I doubt you will get the costs removed as they were incurred. At least you can nip this in the bud and prevent £310 bailiff fees being added

Actually £70 is less than I normally see

fatbelly

You'll get your new bill in about 2 months. You've lost the right to pay in instalments for this year but for next year you have the right to pay in 12 instalments. If you set this up you should be able to choose to have it come out on the 20th/month

makerveli

fatbelly said:

Give them a ring, offer to pay what is owed on the council tax.

It isn't a fine. These are (supposedly) costs incurred in obtaining a liability order

I doubt you will get the costs removed as they were incurred. At least you can nip this in the bud and prevent £310 bailiff fees being added

Actually £70 is less than I normally see

I can pay online.. shall I just pay the council tax and not included the added costs? And then give them a ring on Monday to explain my situation? Or would this make it worse?

fatbelly

I think that would be a sensible strategy.

Tell them your story and see what they can do for you

It's progress in stages. Pay the council tax. Have a discussion. Report back

FreeBear

makerveli said:

fatbelly said:

Give them a ring, offer to pay what is owed on the council tax.

It isn't a fine. These are (supposedly) costs incurred in obtaining a liability order

I doubt you will get the costs removed as they were incurred. At least you can nip this in the bud and prevent £310 bailiff fees being added

Actually £70 is less than I normally see

I can pay online.. shall I just pay the council tax and not included the added costs? And then give them a ring on Monday to explain my situation? Or would this make it worse?

The council could still go to enforcement to collect the outstanding £70 (adding another £310 ? to the total). Best to pay the whole lot and then argue about the Liability Order fee.