Council Tax court date

realitybites

Hi, I am hoping someone can help me. I have just received a letter from the courts giving me a date for a court appearance over unpaid council tax, the total amount plus 80 pounds costs for the period April 08-March 09. I haven't paid it the last 2 months as I have registered for a reduction as my partner is no longer working and was waiting for the amended figure. Does anyone know where I stand with this?
Thanks

tealady

realitybites wrote: »

Does anyone know where I stand with this?

You stand on very dodgy ground as non payment of Council tax can result in a prison sentence. Contact your Council ASAP and start paying something whilst you wait for the amended figure.

realitybites

Thanks tealady, does anyone know if that means I am liable for the 80 pound court fees as well? My last payment, looking back at my statement was a month ago 06/05/08, so not very patient are they.

Got2change

Firstly, sorry to say that it is quite unlikely that your partner not working will result in a reduction - I think only reductions are 25% for single occupancy and almost total Council Tax Benefit if the household only had benefits as a source of income.
Having said that, prison is a looong way off - there are other steps they would take first; not meaning to play down the seriousness of not paying though....
Check again what they are demanding and what notification you have had until this point, I am assuming the debt is for this current year (if for previous, then another story....) and also check what you have paid to date no just the last one.
The Court date will give you the chance to give details of your income and expenditure and be able (if you are) to make an offer to catch up with the arrears - if indeed there are any which, based on your first post, I am doubting a little.
They will include the £80 charges if this actually goes to Court or you don't show but there may be room for negotiation before then.
(I speak from experience - on one occasion, I just left it and ended up with many many charges slapped on and another time, I pleaded with them prior to an Attachment of Earnings and they deducted the charges from the amount I had to pay. Can't speak for your Council but you may have a nice one, like mine.)

Eager_Elephant

For Council Tax you only have to miss one payment to get a reminder, if that is not paid within 14 days they issue a summons a short while later which is what appears to have happened to you.

I'm not sure what computer system your local council use but on ours if someone applies for benefit a tick is put on their account which stops recovery action until the benefits have been sorted.
Call your council on Monday and explain about you claiming benefits?

Can you just confirm how far you have got with claiming Council Tax Benefit? Has the claim gone in already? Who did you make the claim with?

EE

realitybites

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful and puts my racing mind a little more at ease.
I put the claim in a month ago, (although I did get a letter from the council at the same time saying I hadn't provided the necessary info and the claim would be rejected). I am with Ealing council.

realitybites

Thanks again for the replies. I will be heading down to the council offices tomorrow to see where I stand and if anything can be worked out. Failing that, I will have to seriously think about giving up my job. That will mean I am only eligible to pay for 2 months full, the rest will be discounted and hopefully I can find my feet over the next 10 months.

realitybites

Can someone explain about the 80 pounds? Sorry if I seem dense, but is that payable even if I managed to get the rest of the money together and pay it?
Thanks