Council Tax Payment Help

purplegirluk1

Hi,

I hope I am posting this in a good place, it seemed the most relavant.

I recieved a letter this morning telling me that my council tax was in arrears and that I must pay them £400 within seven days or they will file court action against me. I hadn't realsied I had even missed a payment, it must have occured when there was not enough money in my account so the payment wasn't made in December. I have phoned and paid Decembers installment and asked for the rest tp be recalculated into monthly payments but I was told that I had to pay the full £400 or they would instruct the courts to get the money and it would cost me an extra £100 in fees. I explained that I did not have the full amount and also that if they added more money I still wouldn't have it. I was told I should borrow the money from someone!! and that they could not do anything to helo me. I have no idea what to do. I can't get £400 between now and Monday. I am 7 months pregnant and this is the last thing I need. It was a complete mistake missing the payment, I feel so stupid, what can I do? I have tried calling CAB but they are busy. Does anyone have any suggestions??

free-range

Blimey, your Council seem a bit harsh!

I would probably follow this up in writing showing them a payment structure you can afford and that you can manage realisticly (keep a copy). If you haven't had a relpy within a few days, give them a call again or better still visit in person if you can - afterall it would be a really heartless person that would be nasty to a Mummy-to-be!!!

Most companies, including councils only take legal action if it is a last resort. I was behind with my C/Tax a few years ago, but they where very helpful and we came to a mutually agreeable arangement, which was in everyones best interest.

Hope it all works out ok with this

robpw2

Our council apparently took us to court in october for this years council tax as we rang them to advsie we would not be able to make one months dd payment .. And we were paying 180 pound we are now paying 75.00 so were like fine .. Salford county council are the worst ever !!

purplegirluk1

Just to update you, I decided to telephone the council office again (hoping for a nicer person than this morning) and spoke to a much nicer lady who explained that it was an error!!!! All that upset and they had messed it up. I got a call back a few hours later and the installments were sorted out and they even said sorry. What a good result! Thanks for the advice.