We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!
200% Council Tax for inherited retirement flat I can't sell, sublet or live in (costing £8K/year)
Comments
-
The council may get a charge placed against the property if they are able to do so, to ensure that the executor can't attempt to avoid settling the debt upon sale, and the estate would be liable for the costs of their obtaining such, but it doesn't make sense to use personal funds to settle the bill. They can't send the estate to jail for non-payment.
Is the bill in the name of the estate or your spouse's? If it is in your spouses, it needs to be changed to that of the estate. If the estate should still be liable, I suspect the court would take a dim view of the council incorrectly billing, refusing to correct and then wasting the court's time with the matter.
Taking out a loan is madness. Even if your spouse were personally liable, the court would not expect him to take out a loan to pay it but instead to set up a reasonable payment plan.
I'm assuming the property is not easy to sell for the same reasons as the OP's mum's. If there were guaranteed to be funds left in the estate once sold such that the council would eventually be paid, and you had the money, then it might be better to pay it to save the hassle, but that's not the case here.2 -
We are contesting the debt now we have spoken with CAB would we have to provide 'Prove it letter'1
-
Only communications have been on the phone I believe0
-
Only communicate in writing going forward - email where possible. Then there is evidence of his trying to resolve the matter that can be presented in his defence if the council don't budge. When an agreement is reached on the phone, you are relying on the person you speak to to record it correctly on the file so that no action is taken to recover the monies in the meantime. If this doesn't happen, or the council now can't find a record of it, it may explain why they have done this.MerlinTT said:Only communications have been on the phone I believe
I'll leave others to advise as to a 'Prove It' letter - I hadn't realised that they could be used in relation to a council tax debt.
1 -
Thank you0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 353K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.8K Spending & Discounts
- 246.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 602.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.8K Life & Family
- 260K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards