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Council Tax arrears
Can anyone suggest what I can do please
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any chance of explaining your issue and problem you need help with because many cant download all those files on some devices
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Basically OP has £3.4K of CT debt and has been passed to a collection agency who want £100 pm which they state they can't afford and is suffering health / mental health problems along with other debts. This CT debt is now progressing to further enforcement action.
OP, I think your only option is to enlist the help of CA / one of the debt charities, they have advisors and locally may have contacts within the council. Even £100 pm is going to take around 3 years to pay back so it is not really surprising that they want more. Are you paying your current CT ?
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OP's council tax debt of just under £4k has been passed to Bristow and Sutor who are demanding at least £100 a month which she can't afford.
All I can suggest is this may help –
beyond which it sounds like a job for the debt default experts on here.
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My suggestion would be to get your doctor/medical professional to complete the Debt and Mental Health Form that is linked in point 9 on the attached. If you're in Bristol/England there cannot be a charge for them completing this form. ADHD, bereavement and stress would be the main points to be made I believe.
When you provide a copy of this to the council they "should" retrieve the debt from the bailiffs and "should" reconsider how they can handle it. Some councils will allow a small monthly payment even if it takes years to pay off. Others might cancel some of it.
You are doing the right thing by not ignoring this and making a reasonable argument on what you are able to do to resolve the issue.
edited to add: sorry I misread Bristow as Bristol, proof yet again that I need new glasses. But as long as you are in England the above still applies. It may apply in Wales or Scotland but they may decide to not charge you for completing the form if they know that it is for the good of your mental health.
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Is this your only debt? Council tax is a priority debt and you need to take it seriously as it can result in prison in a worst case scenario. If you are paying other non priority debts you need to stop paying them and start paying the council tax debt. Are you claiming all the benefits you are entitled to?
Hastings Direct 4775.99
La Redoute 676.21
Barclaycard 295.20
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We need to know what your other debts are, whther you are buying or renting, And generally a lot more background on your situation.
or go to your local Citizens Advice where they will look at all this.2 -
It appears you have other debts, if these are unsecured debts then you should not put these ahead of a priority debt such as council tax.
It would be useful if you could provide a breakdown of your debts, income and expendature.
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I think you mean, should not. Council tax should be paid first,along with rent.
Hastings Direct 4775.99
La Redoute 676.21
Barclaycard 295.20
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Post moved to more appropriate board.
OP, please provide us with the requested information, we can then tailor advice to your exact situation.
Thanks.
I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter2
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