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I've been receiving text messages (that I couldn't reply to) about a council tax debt I owe. For a short period, Newlyn saying they want to assist me with my outstanding debt. Having no idea what it's about, I didn't chase it up and hoped it was a scam text. Just for clarification - I am aware I owed the council x amount of money from a year ago. I am now currently paying this years council tax.
A few months down the line, I received a text from an enforcement agent regarding a court liability order being issued (around late Aug 2024) and that I owe £1509
I replied (Early Sep), to gather more details to verify the claim. I received a text from Newlyn confirming I owed them this debt and it seemed legit, so I offered to make payment and asked for an online portal to pay. I logged into the portal and it showed I owed 1590 not 1509, so automatically I was a bit sceptical as to where this number came from so I sent a SAR to the council and notified Newlyn I had done this. I also submitted another SAR to Newlyn asking for similar information as what I owed had changed I wanted to find out why. I also picked up that Newlyn had the wrong address for me on the online portal.
Almost a month later I receive the information back from the SAR with letters in chronological order:
- April - Notice of enforcement - £1280 council tax debt with £75 compliance stage fee (to my current address) - £1355 total
- May - Payment reminder - £1355 as above. Mention of enforcement in the next 7 days and mention of charges of £235 & £110 depending on action taken.
- May (two weeks later) - Notice of enforcement - same as above (to my old address)
- June - Payment reminder - same as above (to my old address)
I also receive a video of the enforcement officer visiting my old apartment in August. Well I mean posting a hand written letter in my old postbox outside the old apartment.
This video date does coincide with text message from the enforcement officer.
I'm assuming the £1590 is £1355 + £235 (enforcement fee).
My question as I have not paid anything yet is... can I contest the enforcement fee as they've not gone to the correct address? Maybe I'm clutching at straws but thought someone here may advise?
Also I've received nothing back from the Council and it's been over a month. (I'm not counting the automated response)
A few months down the line, I received a text from an enforcement agent regarding a court liability order being issued (around late Aug 2024) and that I owe £1509
I replied (Early Sep), to gather more details to verify the claim. I received a text from Newlyn confirming I owed them this debt and it seemed legit, so I offered to make payment and asked for an online portal to pay. I logged into the portal and it showed I owed 1590 not 1509, so automatically I was a bit sceptical as to where this number came from so I sent a SAR to the council and notified Newlyn I had done this. I also submitted another SAR to Newlyn asking for similar information as what I owed had changed I wanted to find out why. I also picked up that Newlyn had the wrong address for me on the online portal.
Almost a month later I receive the information back from the SAR with letters in chronological order:
- April - Notice of enforcement - £1280 council tax debt with £75 compliance stage fee (to my current address) - £1355 total
- May - Payment reminder - £1355 as above. Mention of enforcement in the next 7 days and mention of charges of £235 & £110 depending on action taken.
- May (two weeks later) - Notice of enforcement - same as above (to my old address)
- June - Payment reminder - same as above (to my old address)
I also receive a video of the enforcement officer visiting my old apartment in August. Well I mean posting a hand written letter in my old postbox outside the old apartment.
This video date does coincide with text message from the enforcement officer.
I'm assuming the £1590 is £1355 + £235 (enforcement fee).
My question as I have not paid anything yet is... can I contest the enforcement fee as they've not gone to the correct address? Maybe I'm clutching at straws but thought someone here may advise?
Also I've received nothing back from the Council and it's been over a month. (I'm not counting the automated response)
