Claim form recieved at former address, but resident in Portugal

[BerylPeril]

Hi, I'm really hoping someone can help. I've received a claim form and I've responded using MCOL. However, I'm finding it hard to work out the next steps, I'm not a UK resident and only received the claim as my friends know the new occupier of the property and passed it on. The claimant is a former council landlord, I'm happy to make arrangements to pay and have been emailing the solicitors, I even made an offer but I was unable to complete their income and expenditure form as it was so badly formatted that it made no sense as soon as I added anything. A further complication is that I technically don't have any income and only take dividends from my Ltd company that | freelance through. I've followed up with the solicitor and sent an alternative income form.

Claim issued 19 Oct
Response submitted and acknowledged 23 October

What should the next step be? how can I make an arrangement to pay?

I'm super stressed by this and it's making my anxiety the worst it has been in years (the whole reason the debt exists), the added complication of no longer being in the UK is making this even harder, especially with post between Portugal and the UK notorious for being stopped by customs, even through it contains documents.

Sorry for the ramble

Happy to pay for advice or help

Panicked in Portuga

[islandgirl]

Is it a council tax debt?

[atticus]

Beryl, you should follow up with the solicitors. Press them for a response to your offer.

Have you filed a defence to the claim against you?

[BerylPeril]

atticus Not filed a defence as I'm not sure what to file and where. I've emailed the solicitors again to ask for a response

islandgirl no, it's rent arrears

[atticus]

Oh dear. You may already have a default judgement against you.

Look at the guide in the link in my signature.

[BerylPeril]

atticus thanks, I've advised both the claim solicitor and court of my Portugal address... I'll have to look tomorrow see what they say