Council tax bill

Lithiumz · 7 December 2018 at 3:43PM

So my ex partner use to live with me so we had a joint council tax bill she left about 5 months ago and left me in a bit of a bad situation I changed everything over all benefits and council tax in my own name about 3 months ago I received a bill from council tax in both hers and my name I called them up to say it is a joint bill I will pay 50% and they can chase my ex for the other they told me not to bother paying any so I ignored it.

About 2 days ago I received back final reminder if payment is not received in 7 daya they will summons to court for non payment I have gone on to call them again offering a 50% payment as I am not liable for the full bill my ex was living at the property at that time why does all liability go to me now they told me because I don't have a forwarding address for my ex and I can't provide one and they are not willing to try and locate her I'm liable for the full amount how does this work can anyone help me on what are my rights thanks!!

[Deleted User] · 7 December 2018 at 3:49PM

You're both joint and severally liable.

That means they can pursue for the full amount.

Come to an agreement with them as soon as you can, as they won't go away.

ndf9876 · 7 December 2018 at 3:53PM

- If you now live alone, you should tell the council as you may qualify for a discount on your council tax. If you can prove when the ex moved out, so much the better!
- You are / were jointly and severally liable for the Council Tax - in other words, either one of you as joint tenants can be pursued as individuals for the full amount.

I would strongly suggest NOT ignoring this as Council Tax is a Crown Debt. This is one of the few types of debts you can be imprisoned for not paying, and whilst I'm not suggesting for one second this is the case here, if I were you I'd be making arrangements to pay this up ASAP. How you choose to chase this with the ex is another matter.

KatrinaWaves · 7 December 2018 at 4:04PM

Lithiumz wrote: »

So my ex partner use to live with me so we had a joint council tax bill she left about 5 months ago and left me in a bit of a bad situation I changed everything over all benefits and council tax in my own name about 3 months ago I received a bill from council tax in both hers and my name I called them up to say it is a joint bill I will pay 50% and they can chase my ex for the other they told me not to bother paying any so I ignored it.

About 2 days ago I received back final reminder if payment is not received in 7 daya they will summons to court for non payment I have gone on to call them again offering a 50% payment as I am not liable for the full bill my ex was living at the property at that time why does all liability go to me now they told me because I don't have a forwarding address for my ex and I can't provide one and they are not willing to try and locate her I'm liable for the full amount how does this work can anyone help me on what are my rights thanks!!

I am sure you misunderstood. There is no way the council told you 'not to bother paying'

Anyway there is no joint liability with council tax, they can chase you for the full amount.

Lithiumz · 7 December 2018 at 4:38PM

Ok thanks for your help! I informed them the day she left and renewed a council tax bill in only my name which I have been paying the letter they sent me has both my name and her name on it but due to the fact I don't no her new address and they don't they chase me for the full amount I just think this is pretty unfair she lived at the property during that time were jointly responsible I offered them 50% of the bill don't understand why I am liable for the full amount when the letter has both our names on I will seek citizens advice asap and see what help they can offer as I have no way of paying 100% of this bill nor do I see it fair that I'm liable for 100% as it is a joint responsibility

KatrinaWaves · 7 December 2018 at 4:41PM

It is a joint responsibility, but you are both jointly liable for 100%. CAB cannot help you with that.

Lithiumz · 7 December 2018 at 4:44PM

I have never been in any debts before I always ensure everything is paid she left 5 months ago I have been left with my son who is 2 she was still claiming his child tax credits and child benefit which she refused to give to me when she had no right as my son is in my care i had to quit working to look after my son full time so it has left me in a financially difficult situation I have now got all child tax and child benefits sorted and in my name and just starting to get on top of things

Lithiumz · 7 December 2018 at 4:46PM

So if I refuse to pay they won't even try to locate her they will just chase me because I ain't hiding and they no were I am that's pretty wrong I think I will try to pay it off just don't see how they expect me to come up with £300 in 7 days thanks for your reply though!

ndf9876 · 7 December 2018 at 4:49PM

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/council-tax/council-tax/

You are both equally liable for payment.

Just to reiterate, Council Tax should be seem as a priority payment just behind your rent or mortgage payments. The consequences of non-payment can be very serious.

CIS · 7 December 2018 at 5:11PM

Lithiumz wrote: »

Ok thanks for your help! I informed them the day she left and renewed a council tax bill in only my name which I have been paying the letter they sent me has both my name and her name on it but due to the fact I don't no her new address and they don't they chase me for the full amount I just think this is pretty unfair she lived at the property during that time were jointly responsible I offered them 50% of the bill don't understand why I am liable for the full amount when the letter has both our names on I will seek citizens advice asap and see what help they can offer as I have no way of paying 100% of this bill nor do I see it fair that I'm liable for 100% as it is a joint responsibility

You may feel it's unfair however council tax legislation doesn't. It has to be remembered that it is a tax and tax collection legislation is rarely fair as its aim is to collect the money.

The council are acting within the provision of joint liability and collecting the debt, each party is responsible for full payment and either party can be pursued for up to and including the entire outstanding balance.

Once they obtain a liability order then if they use a statutory enforcement option (attachment, enforcement agent, charging order, bankruptcy or committal to prison) they can only utilise these enforcement options against one party at a time so if they choose to use an enforcement method against you they then couldn't use an enforcement action against another party at the same time for the same debt.

CIS · 7 December 2018 at 5:20PM

Lithiumz wrote: »

So if I refuse to pay they won't even try to locate her they will just chase me because I ain't hiding and they no were I am that's pretty wrong I think I will try to pay it off just don't see how they expect me to come up with £300 in 7 days thanks for your reply though!

That is again a statutory action - a final notice will always give only 7 days for full payment on the remaining balance.

Council tax bill

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