Council Tax Liability - Final Demand Help Pls

jambon79

Dear all, this is my first post. I am a long time member of the site, and read the boards often, but now I need a little advice.

A few years back I had an ill fated relationship where I moved in with my girlfriend of the time. The deal was I paid the rent, and she paid the bills, which in theory worked, only she never paid any of the bills. When we broke up I was left with all the bills as they were in my name (more fool me I know).

Two years have passed and now it turns out she never paid the council tax either, and they are chasing me for £796. I have spoken with the council and they are chasing me as they know my whereabouts but not hers. As it is joint liability they asure me they are entitled to do this.

I am currently in the process of buying a house, and mentions of possible baliff vistits is something I could do without.

Basically, I am wondering two things. Firstly, is there anything I can do to split the liability? I am guessing not, but you never know.

Secondly, if not, if I paid the full amount, would I be able to claim half from my ex partner in small claims? (assuming I could trace her).

To make matters worse, I am now informed that Housing Benefit was paid to the account, but she kept that as well (can you see why things didn't work out...).

All help/advice/suggestions will be very much appreciated.

Jambon

calleyw

No you can't split the liability.

I had this when I bought a house with a friend. I moved and got a council tax demand and if it was not paid then we would go to court.

I paid my half and was told that even though I had paid half I was still liable for the other half. So if they did not pay I would still be taken to court.

That is why it is joint liability.

They always go after the weaker and easy target.

I know that is not what you want to hear. You could go after your ex via the small claims court. But if you don't where she lives how would serve they court ntoice on her. But if you know where they reside then tell the council they will then send demands to both of you.

Don't know the answers to the rest of it.

Personally I would pay it all then just get on with my life £796 seems a small price to get rid of her totally out of you life.


Yours


Calley

Yours

stuckonthephonewithidiots

hi,

calleyw is correct unfortunately...the same thing happened to my sister ...its best to pay up and move on...my sister tried taking her o/h to court (small claims) but he didnt show and even when the judgement went in her favour he still didnt pay up...claiming he couldnt afford to pay...he must pay £1 per week !

bestpud

I know someone who went bankrupt to avoid being lumbered with all the debts her and her ex (but mostly him) had run up while they were together. They amounted to a lot more than £800 though!

She wanted to pay half and tried very hard to set up a payment plan but was told, even though they knew where he was, they would continue to persue her for his half too.

He was on good money and she was a student at the time. She went bankrupt, and now they are chasing him for the total amount. The fool would have been better off paying half in the first place!! :rolleyes:

It's mad imo - why not go after both parties if they know where they are, and not just the one who replies to the demands?

SuziQ

I agree with the previous 2 posters-you are well rid,it's a small price to pay and thank goodness you didn't marry her or worse,have children with her! She sounds a nightmare!