council tax liability order. help needed plz.

[flicky1314]

hi guys me again. I'm getting myself into a right pickle but basically I owe council tax 220 pound for last year. buried my head in the sand
I've joined a fb group and been getting advice from there but also thought i could use your help. I sent a s13a request I think it is. so my date was adjourned from 7th Sept to 28th. the thing is I'm not refusing to pay I just want to pay monthly
I'm self employed and worried if baliffs come they will clamp my car then I won't be able to work. single mum three kids. do i just write to council and offer payment or both council and court. help plz really making me I'll now with worry

[ploddertom]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

What is a s13a request?

[flicky1314]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

erm application for council tax reduction I think

[Kati]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1992/14/section/13A

13A Billing authority’s power to reduce amount of tax payable

(1)Where a person is liable to pay council tax in respect of any chargeable dwelling and any day, the billing authority for the area in which the dwelling is situated may reduce the amount which he is liable to pay as respects the dwelling and the day to such extent as it thinks fit.


(2)The power under subsection (1) above includes power to reduce an amount to nil.


(3)The power under subsection (1) may be exercised in relation to particular cases or by determining a class of case in which liability is to be reduced to an extent provided by the determination.

[ploddertom]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

OK - so where are you at? Have you had a letter saying you are behind with payments, if so how many of these have you had? Have the Council issued you with an appearance in front of the Magistrates Court? Have they added any costs on yet? Are you up to date with this years account? Do you claim single person discount?

[flicky1314]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

I haven't set up any payment plan yet. yeah I've had a summons to go on 7th Sept but it's been adjourned until the 28th. I owe 220 and they've added 20 pound costs. yes up to date with this year's and yeah claim single persons x

[ploddertom]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

The Council will still be looking to obtain a Liability Order against you in order to be able to take enforcement action should you default on any payment proposal you may reach with them. I don't know whether they will accept your application for a further rebate, using the argument you are already getting SPD. Don't forget if they do obtain a Liability Order then you may be subject to further costs.

To further your cause it may be prudent to approach the Council with a payment proposal. Possibly including you local Councillor may also be a good idea.

[flicky1314]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

[MENTION=26498]ploddertom[/MENTION] thank you so much for your advice. do u think it's worth writing to them now and offering payment or waiting till they get in touch we me. like I say I'm not refusing to pay just can't pay all in one go.

[ploddertom]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

@ploddertom thank you so much for your advice. do u think it's worth writing to them now and offering payment or waiting till they get in touch we me. like I say I'm not refusing to pay just can't pay all in one go.

If it were me I would get in touch with them. You never know they could pull the Hearing. Your local Councillor could be your best friend. The Council may also be able to give you an update on whether your application for further relief will be successful or not.

At LO Hearings the Magistrates are only allowed a yes or no answer as to whether you owe or not, they cannot take into consideration your ability to pay. Normally these Hearings are done in bulk.

[flicky1314]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

ok great I'll get a letter written this week. what happens if they don't accept my offer ???

[ploddertom]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

Include I&E with your proposal, as time is short you need to act ASAP. Don't forget Council Tax is a priority debt that comes ahead of the likes of Credit Cards & excessive Sky Subs. If they do go ahead for a LO then they have a raft of enforcement possibilities they can use. They cannot use Attachment of Earnings as you are self employed. Bailiffs come with added costs - first stage will add £75 and if a visit has to be made then another £235 can be added.

Time is short & you need to act ASAP.

[flicky1314]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

ok I'll get onto it asap. I just scared about the bailiffs I really don't want them at my door. Is there a minimum figure they look at ?

[ploddertom]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

ok I'll get onto it asap. I just scared about the bailiffs I really don't want them at my door. Is there a minimum figure they look at ?

With Bailiffs they have to write to you first & you get approx 10/14 days to respond to come to an agreement, but they would want it paying off very quickly - would guess 2 months max given what you owe, If they have to visit then there is no law that says you have to speak to them or allow them in.

I haven't a clue how much your Council will accept as a minimum and even if they will stretch it will want it paying off before the end of the financial year.

[flicky1314]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

ok right well let's get writing to them first see how it goes. then possibly be back for more advice.

[ploddertom]

Re: council tax liability order. help needed plz.

Come back as many times as you need. Good Luck.