Do late payments on Council tax and Electricity effect credit rating/score??

A_little_stressed!!

Sorry if this is the wrong thread, wasn't sure where best to discuss credit ratings etc!

Do the red letters from gas/elec mean anything? Will it count as a default payment or similar? Same for Council tax, I have lost the right to pay by installments, therefore have to pay the whole year in advance (Oooh til April!)
The property is up 4 sale, thats why I'm not bothering with direct debits

many thanx

Bokkens

The property is up 4 sale, thats why I'm not bothering with direct debits

These are important and YOU should contact the council about it straight away,they don't know you wanna move they see that you are not paying a bill so they put you on the debter list this then affects all types of credit you may want,gas,electric,water(you cannot be cut of from these)cable ,banks credit cards DFS etc.
You must not ignore these letters collect the letters and other bank/water statments and go to the Citizens Advice Bureau and they will help you with your bills and any benefits that you are able to claim.

A_little_stressed!!

I didn't explain myself very well, I am paying them, just a little late!It's an empty property for sale, I go as often as I can to pick up letters etc, but alot go missing, so haven't always got bill till it's a red letter, then I try 2 pay asap. Just wanted to check the effect on credit score, as long as its not sent to a debt collection agency, or a court summonds, you can always pay on the red letter date and be OK?

TroysMum

If you go to checkmyfile, it lists everything including utilities so it will show on your credit file.

NickX

TroysMum wrote: »

If you go to checkmyfile, it lists everything including utilities so it will show on your credit file.

Utility Bills don't count as Credit and will not show on your Credit file unless in default.

As long as they are paid before going to a Debt Collector, I don't think there will be a problem.

A_little_stressed!!

Many thanx, I thought as much but wanted to confirm

loveandlight

Posted by Nickx
Utility Bills don't count as Credit and will not show on your Credit file unless in default.

This is correct.

Volcane

NickX wrote: »

Utility Bills don't count as Credit and will not show on your Credit file unless in default.

As long as they are paid before going to a Debt Collector, I don't think there will be a problem.

Even in default non-payment of Council Tax won't affect your credit file. It's not a default of a credit and they use Magistrate's Courts not a County Court to obtain their Liability Orders so no CCJ is involved.

Council Tax is also subject to Data Protection so the info cannot be shared other than for certain enquiries (inland revenue tax fraud, police criminal matter setc).

sassybooboos

ring the council you may be able to get an exemption or discount if the property is empty.

if you are living at another address who is paying full council tax you should be entitled to a 50% discount.

Volcane

sassybooboos wrote: »

ring the council you may be able to get an exemption or discount if the property is empty.

if you are living at another address who is paying full council tax you should be entitled to a 50% discount.

Be wary, that discount has now dropped to only 10% for empty properties or second homes. It's sometimes better to say you are living there alone and claim a 25% single person discount.