posted by on Sep 12
Vicky A asked:
I have been very silly and not paid my council tax (couldn’t afford it) now moved away from the property and I have been told by the bailiff collection company that are dealing with it now, that I have to pay the FULL amount in one month, but of course I can’t - I’m under a debt management programmer for my credit debts, and they have explained that they have to accept what you offer to pay back as long as its a reasonable amount per month, where do I stand?
I have been very silly and not paid my council tax (couldn’t afford it) now moved away from the property and I have been told by the bailiff collection company that are dealing with it now, that I have to pay the FULL amount in one month, but of course I can’t - I’m under a debt management programmer for my credit debts, and they have explained that they have to accept what you offer to pay back as long as its a reasonable amount per month, where do I stand?
September 15th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Council Tax bailiff’s are, if you are genuinely in hardship, reasonable, however, as you say, you must make a reasonable offer to be accepted.
It’s a shame you got to this as now you will have costs too from the bailiffs.
Explain to them the programme you’re on and if necessary, complete a means form ( a form outlining what you owe and what you are paying out)
Good luck.
Incidentally, how old is the debt you owe? If they are chasing you outside the statue of limitations, they can’t get it anyway.
September 16th, 2008 at 6:05 am
I’m sure council tax and other untility bills are not treat the same as other debts, like credit cards, loans etc. i don’t think the council has to accept any amount you offer, as it is a bill and you’re not repaying money borrowed. I’d check with a citizens advice or speak to the bailiffs direct as you could end you locked up for non payment.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Get in touch with the council that you owe the money to. Provide them with a list of all your payments and income and they will come to an agreement. Often they use bailiffs to frighten you to make you pay.
If you are on benefits, the minimum they will accept is £3 a week.
Contact them and make an offer and stick to it. Providing you are making an effort, they will leave you alone.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
you can only pay what you can if it goes to court they would except a pound when you fill in the form make sure you have more going out than coming in good luck ps this is the only debt you can be put in jail for sorry to tell you this
September 18th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Unfortunately…..Baliffs instructed to recover council tax will not enter into a repayment schedule.particularly if they are Rundles …The most they will agree to is two half payments with a max of one week in between.
If you do not have the funds your only option (as is most peoples) is to prevent them access to your property. Do not answer the door and keep all belongings that live outside your house secure, keep cars off drives and bikes lock up etc
These baliffs will make two or three attempts to make contact with you after which they have to return to the magistrates court with the debt. The debt is then passed back to your local authority and it is with them that you need to offer repayments that you can afford
September 21st, 2008 at 10:09 pm
The bailiff does not have to accept any offer of payment - they can however be instructed by the council to accept an offer.
If the bailiff cannot recover the money by arrangement and cannot remove goods to cover the value then they will return it to the council.
Once it is returned then the council can if they wish go for attachment of earnings/benefit, bankruptcy, charging order or committal to prison.