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Hi all hope someone is able to advise on the following - 11 years ago my friend rented a property for 6 months with her then boyfriend with the lease (and all other relevant paperwork concerning bills, etc) in their joint names. They then moved to another property where they lived for a few years before splitting up. Since then my friend has lived in two subsequent rented properties.
Out of the blue on 12-02-16 she received a letter from the local council demanding £550 by way of settlement of council tax they claim is owing from the address that she lived at 11+ years ago! The letter also states at the bottom that it is 'subject to court proceedings'. My friend has obviously contacted the council to query this and to inform them that not only was she living with her boyfriend at that time and that they were both named on the lease (therefore they should both have been contacted) but also that the rent paid each month was inclusive of council tax payments. Furthermore, the council tax for the full 12 months was only £810 and as such 6 months does not equate to £550!
The council have informed her that they are unable to trace her ex as he no longer lives within the borough and as such she is being held solely responsible for any monies owing. Furthermore, the 'debt' has been passed on to debt collectors and she needs to wait to hear from the bailiffs before they are willing to discuss the matter any further! As for my friend querying why this is the first she has heard about the matter, 11 years later, and the amount owing they have also given no response!
As you can imagine my friend is worried sick as to what she should do and where she stands legally and as such any advice anyone can offer would be very gratefully received and many thanks in advance!
Kind regards, Joanne
Out of the blue on 12-02-16 she received a letter from the local council demanding £550 by way of settlement of council tax they claim is owing from the address that she lived at 11+ years ago! The letter also states at the bottom that it is 'subject to court proceedings'. My friend has obviously contacted the council to query this and to inform them that not only was she living with her boyfriend at that time and that they were both named on the lease (therefore they should both have been contacted) but also that the rent paid each month was inclusive of council tax payments. Furthermore, the council tax for the full 12 months was only £810 and as such 6 months does not equate to £550!
The council have informed her that they are unable to trace her ex as he no longer lives within the borough and as such she is being held solely responsible for any monies owing. Furthermore, the 'debt' has been passed on to debt collectors and she needs to wait to hear from the bailiffs before they are willing to discuss the matter any further! As for my friend querying why this is the first she has heard about the matter, 11 years later, and the amount owing they have also given no response!
As you can imagine my friend is worried sick as to what she should do and where she stands legally and as such any advice anyone can offer would be very gratefully received and many thanks in advance!
Kind regards, Joanne
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