council tax bill of £27 now £180..

Zulew_uk

Help wanted...I sold a property in may 2021.. prior to selling I was letting the property out. There had been a lapse of 6 days when council tax hadn't been paid as there had been a mix up with the dates the Tennant had left and I had took over the property again. I sold the property and never went back. Today I got a call from the current occupier who had opened a letter addressed to me with debt agency wanting £180 due to me not replying to mail etc. I have since rang up the council asking why they hadn't contacted me regarding this as they have my details. I haven't contacted debt agency yet. What is my best option please? At no point have I tried to avoid paying it it's just by chance I'm aware of this letter. Any help appreciated. Thanks 

HillStreetBlues

First question I have would be when did the tenant stop paying rent? was the 5 days just them leaving early, or was it arranged with you?
I would just be dealing with the council and would tell the council that.

Brie

So I wonder what happened to all the other letters the council might have sent you since 2021?  

Sometimes the council doesn't put 1+1 together to get 2.  So they never connect that Zulew at 1 Main St is the same as Zulew on Mulberry Crescent.  

But the best way to sort this is to simply pay the council whatever they say is due.   Ask them for an account of what is owed to be posted or emailed to you and then pay that.  And ask them to withdraw the account from the debt agency as unnecessary.  

Zulew_uk

I said to the council at no point have I tried to avoid paying it I was genuinely unaware. I have a really good credit rating. The council said its nothing to do with them anymore so i can't pay then. It's so frustrating 

Zulew_uk

HillStreetBlues said:

First question I have would be when did the tenant stop paying rent? was the 5 days just them leaving early, or was it arranged with you?
I would just be dealing with the council and would tell the council that.

I really don't know to he honest and I don't have any proof of dates with it being that long ago. So annoyed

Zulew_uk

Brie said:

So I wonder what happened to all the other letters the council might have sent you since 2021?  

Sometimes the council doesn't put 1+1 together to get 2.  So they never connect that Zulew at 1 Main St is the same as Zulew on Mulberry Crescent.  

But the best way to sort this is to simply pay the council whatever they say is due.   Ask them for an account of what is owed to be posted or emailed to you and then pay that.  And ask them to withdraw the account from the debt agency as unnecessary.  

I'm guessing the letters will be at the flat I sold and ignored to be honest it was judt by chance the current occupant opened this letter and got intouch with me..so really I should be unaware of it 

elmer

If you contact the council and explain nicely that you didnt receive the letters, and ask if they can take the charge back, they may agree, and you can pay the £27.00 over the phone. Of course they may not agree as they are not obliged to do this, but its worth a try, I will remove the costs under these circumstances for someone who asks pleasantly

Newcad

The council can withdraw their instruction to the Debt Collectors - no matter what they are saying to you.

I have just this week had an energy company 'call back the files' from a debt collector they had instructed. They did that call back after I complained that the alleged debt had already been ruled invalid.

Thats a very long story, but it took less than a week for the company to call their instruction to the Debt Collectors off.

The point here though is that you freely admit the debt, you are arguing about the extra charges that have now been  imposed (late payment fees, collection charges, etc).

You can continue to argue about those, or pay them and then it's all done with - your choice.

FlorayG

I had similar - I called the council when my tenant left and told them I was responsible for the council tax for the 3 weeks until new tenant moved in. the council insisted all the council tax had been paid by the new tenant so I let it go. A few months later I got a letter saying they were taking me to court if I didn't pay! So I called them, spoke with a very nice lady, paid up, all done. I suggest you call again and try to speak to someone helpful - if they are not, wait a few hours and try again until you get a person who wants to help you

Zulew_uk

Thanks everyone

Zulew_uk

FlorayG said:

I had similar - I called the council when my tenant left and told them I was responsible for the council tax for the 3 weeks until new tenant moved in. the council insisted all the council tax had been paid by the new tenant so I let it go. A few months later I got a letter saying they were taking me to court if I didn't pay! So I called them, spoke with a very nice lady, paid up, all done. I suggest you call again and try to speak to someone helpful - if they are not, wait a few hours and try again until you get a person who wants to help you

It worked..thanks