Owing council tax and repaying?

Question

i owe tax received summons went to the CAB was told that the council probably wouldnt accept monthly payments now, the woman checked and there was no record of my telephone calls - i called them numerous times. also i was never told anywhere that i could have paid monthly at the CAB office after council refusing monthly payments.

she said i should write a letter to bailiff (who i have never dealt even heard from) and offer to pay £.......per month + enclose the first payment and that the CAB would forward it internally

is that the best way?

should i not try the council first with this letter and enclose a cheque for first payment and see if they accept it rather than the bailiff. i found out its a larger amount also.

im worried if i send monthly payments to a bailiff via CAB then bailif may try to rip me off as i dont trust them, and what if they add on charges, pretend not to have received payments or never confirm the payment agreement?

i dont know what to do now? help

Answer 1

aw luvvie your really worried about this aint you....ok. Her goes.

If you are unable to come to a payment arrangement with the council or if you make arrangements to pay but don’t, your council can ask the Magistrates’ Court for a ‘Liability Order’ (a demand for you to pay the full amount you owe, plus costs). I guess this is what they gave you.

You have the right to attend the court and offer evidence as to why you are not liable for the debt. Even if you decide not to attend court, you should speak to the council or, if you prefer, your Local Citizens Advice Bureau. The council will try to come to a reasonable arrangement with you for payment but they cannot do that unless you contact them.

If the court makes a Liability Order against you, your council can take enforcement action against you in order to recover the debt.  This will usually mean either deductions from wages and benefits or the use of bailiffs. Which is what has happened.

Your council can send bailiffs to your home to seize property to sell. The money raised goes towards paying your debt, plus costs. The billing authority must send a letter two weeks before the bailiff’s first visit stating how much money you owe under the Liability Order.

You can contact the Council and the bailiffs and offer to come to an agreement on payments. It’s important to do this straight away, because if the bailiffs make a visit their costs could be added to your bill. So give the bailiffs a call, today. They are assigned by the council, are are certaily not dodgy in anyway. Get it sorted before they come to your home!

Add me as a contact if you need to talk or want any advice hun.

Answer 2

if i had a quid for everytime i got these council tax summonds id be a millionaire !!!

dont bother talking to the council, they have already sold your debt to a bailiff.

talk to the bailiff. dont let the bailliff push you around with their threats tell them REALISTICLY how much you can afford to pay each month & keep too it.

I still owe £1600 to a bailiff for last years CT and am paing it back at £25 a month. & yet when I speak to the council according to them My concil tax was paid last year in full. (they bailiff paid it)

Answer 3

Your so worried re the baliffs ripping you off you should have paid CT in first place - foucus on the real problem your nonpayment of CT

CT is one of the worst bills to ignore none payment can result in a prison sentance

Take the good advice provided by CAB its your only option unless you can agree with the court to make a regular payment do it through the CAB as suggested and pay as much as you can as the debt gets bigger everytime you get another CT bill.

The baliffs wont rip you off if payments are sent via CAB why should they?

Pay your debt we all have to even though we don't like to

Answer 4

I work for a local government authority & would suggest contacting them direct & going to see them. If they have not issued a bailiff then theres no need to get one involved.

Contact them & let them know that you cant afford to pay it in one go & they will set out a payment plan

Answer 5

Go to your council first, ask to arrange a repayment with them. If they refuse go to your local councillor and ask him to intercede. you don't say whether you are on any other benefits, which can be important as this can limit the amount of repayments.

If you pay a baliff they take some of the money to paid for their services so the actual debt to the council takes longer. You want to keep it with the council idf possible. If no Baliff is involved yet, then do not pay them, pay the council. Did CAB look at getting any of the arrears written off or appealed? - if not perhaps you should see if the council's social service department have welfare rights officers who may be better placed to advise you.

Post what other benefits your are on.

Answer 6

hi

In my experience most CAB offices are well informed and give good advice having said that not all do. therefore i would double check their advice by calling 0800 138 1111 now.  these people are a debt charity in Leeds.

I would also put everything in writing send to everyone involved, and always, always send by recorded del. and phone/e-mail them to advise your actions. I would also keep a diary recording your actions, include who you spoke to day time department name of company etc.

Very best of luck