Joint Council tax debt after separation.

lovejoyviii

Hoping someone is able to give me some advice.
My daughter has just come out of a relationship which only now we are getting news wasn’t great. They both rented a property for two years. While they both worked his credit wasn’t good so most of the bills were in her name. The only ones that were not were the water, rent and council tax that were jointly held. Since the split their finances have come to light and they have accumulated a lot of debt. He accepts he’s 50% liable but I know he won’t pay anything. The 3 biggest ones were the Electricity (£1500), Rent (£1300) and council tax (£2500). I have paid the rent arrears just so I could get her off the lease. The Electricity is in her name so I assume there is nothing I can do about that. The council tax which apparently was his responsibility wasn’t paid for the whole time they were there. Both their names are on the council tax bill but the council have said even if we/I pay half she is still liable for the other half. Is there anything I can do? 

molerat

Council tax is a joint and several liability so they are each liable for the full amount and the council will pursue the the one they are most likely to get a payment out of.

Brie

No as both their name were on the CT they are each fully liable.  So as you state if he doesn't pay she has to.  And any bill that is fully in her name is hers to pay even if it was to buy things he needed.  Unfortunately.

That said - how bad a problem is it over all.  Worst case scenario?  Does she owe just the £4k you mention or is there much more?  How much money does she have coming in?  Would she be able to clear it over, say, the next 2 years?  I assume she may now back living with you so possibly will have few outgoings for a while?  

She could do worse than put together a statement of accounts so that she has a budget that she (& you?) can work with to help get things sorted.   The SOA can be found on one of the top stickies here.

lovejoyviii

Yes that’s basically what the council said.

sourcrates

The council can recover this money via a liability order, which can involve bailiffs coming to her door.

It gets more complicated if it progresses this far, as they are not inclined to accept payment arrangements from her.

The council, however, should do, and its in her best interest to get something in place ASAP to stop this escalating any further, yes she will be liable for the full amount, but 2.5k isn`t the end of the world, assuming she has no other debt?

RAS

It doesn't really matter who is on the Council Tax bill. The liability is shared by all adult occupiers, unless they are students or otherwise exempt. So each owes the whole sum.

It's unfortunate that your daughter permitted this situation to continue beyond the first year and they didn't have financial discussions which exposed the situation early.

Is there anyway of getting the errant BF to stump up any money? As CT is absolutely the most important bill. I'm surprised bailiffs have not already been involved if he's not paid CT for a year or more?

lovejoyviii

Thanks all for the replies. On personnel experience yes the debt isn’t massive and yes she can arrange a payment plan that’s already been started. The boyfriend who earlier today was remanded for his behaviour, is definitely not going to cough anything up towards their debt. I was hoping for some good news but looks like an expensive lesson to be learnt for her and me as a father. Just glad shes home and safe now.

badmemory

I suspect that in a couple of years you will all look back & think you all got away cheaply.  It could have ended up so much worse.  She is lucky to have someone to look out for her.