council tax

[mrwalker2047]

Hi everyone I am new to this site and want to say hello. I have joined cos I have some serious problems with Bradford Council. They agreed a rate of repayments for an old debt and I have been paying them. It now appears that I had paid the last 14 weeks into an account not theirs.They have threatened me with baliffs action. They also said that I was responsible and told me I was to pay them £15.00 per week this is impossible as I am on incapacity benefits. Each time I email them I get the same response. Can I have this matter refererred to court so that I can produce my evidence and if so who do I apply to. Thanks for your suggestions. This is really causing me stress which is again affecting my long term fecovery.:seagull:

[maruvian]

Re: council tax

Have a look at this sheet it may help

[teaboy2]

Re: council tax

Well prior to any court action you are thinking of taking, you would need to make it clear to the baliff that as you have been repaying the debt as agreed with the council on a weekly basis, then any chance of the court issue a repossession order as very slim, instead the court will take into account the fact you have continued to pay weekly as agreed with the council and your willingness to repay the debt being evident as a result, meaning the court will simply only order you to make repayments of what you can afford. And as your on incapacity benefits then that amount of repayment will likely be reduced to £1 per week.

Plus their are certain guidlines that protect vulnerable people from such baliff actions, and being on incapacity benefit means you will likely be classed as vulnerable.

I would also make a formal complaint to the council about them passing this off to a baliff despite you continously making repayments as agreed with them, that is now resulting in undue harassment and threats of court action from the baliff company. I wquld also ask the council for their code of practise for the enforcement of council tax debt - As you may find it prevents such baliff taking action against you.

Can i ask which company it is you have been paying for the last 14 weeks?

[labman]

Re: council tax

I have to say Teaboy, that was my first thought. If it hasn't been paid to their account who has your money and what can be done about getting it back?

How were you paying? I assume it can't have been through a payment book or card as this mistake couldn't have happened that way.

I would suggest you write explaining you have been paying as per the arrangement (enclose copies of proof) and you are trying to get the money back. As soon as you do it will be passed to them to catch you up with your payments, and would they please bear with you while you rectify this mistake.

Also point out it is not in anybodys interests to instruct bailiffs as this will hinder your ability to pay, it will increase your debt, and is likely to cause a severe amount of stress which could be avoided. You are not a non-payer, it's just that a mistake has been made - this happens and they need to bear with you while it is resolved.