Redbridge Council Tax Summons

[sumo29]

Hi,
I have a problem with redbridge council and not sure how to handle it.
I have today receievd a court summons for 02/09/2025 for unpaid council tax. I thought I was upto date, and I certainly do not have any of the reminder letters. However, I can see online versions of the reminder letters on my council tax account.

After looking into it in a bit more detail I can now see the payment for April is probably the one that is the issue. It was for £223 and it looks like the direct debit failed.

I have however made payments on the 27th May (7 days later), 20th June and 20th July. June and July was on time. So as of the 8th August 2025 I am £223 late for the april payment it seems, if we assume the payments I made in May, June and July went to those months rather than the one I missed in April.

The council is now asking for a summons for the full amount (liability order). But while I can afford to keep up the payments, and probably catch up my missed payment when I get paid in August I am unable to pay the full 2000 including the £128 court fees in full before 02/09 which is the court date.

Any advice on how I can best deal with this - I clearly owe the council tax, but I missed April payment but made 3 others subsequently and for some reason didnt receieve any reminders they say they sent. If I had I would have clearly paid it as I was making other payments.

Thanks in advance,
Sumo

[echat11]

islandgirl Can you please take a look.

If you are struggling with finances, maybe the following can help.

https://costofliving.redbridge.gov.u...l-tax-support/

[PallasAthena]

Although councils are entitled to demand the full year's CT if just a single monthly payment is missed it does seem rather harsh in this case. Only the first payment failed to go through and you haven't missed one since.

Speak to the council and see if you can negotiate a payment plan that will ensure that there are no arrears by the end of this CT year. Have you had arrears in previous years? If not then point out to them your previous perfect payment record and that there are no arrears from previous years.

They have probably assumed that you have just been ignoring their letters about the arrears so stress that you didn't receive them.

If they agree a repayment plan ask them to withdraw the court application for an LO. However the court fee has already been incurred by the council so you will have to repay that in addition to the missed payment.

If the council unhelpful involve your local Councillor.

If you are able to pay the April arrears in August do so.

[sumo29]

Hi,
So finally managed to speak to the council. They agreed to spread the missed April payment across the payments from september to march next year. BUT they said they can't stop the court from issuing a judgement eventhough a payment arrangement has been agreed. So in the end it looks like there isnt much you can once the summons has been issued. But I am a little bit confused by the fact that I don't get the reminder letters, because clearly I would have paid as i have kep up with the other payments

[islandgirl]

Hi - sorry been away and just seen this. Go to court and speak to the council before the hearing - they can withdraw individual summons and in my court frequently do. They just take them out of the bundle and no judgement is made. This can be done and is worth a try. Make the point about the lack of letters etc.