council tax outstanding balance while i not lived in the property

[just]

Hi,

last Thursday I received delivered by hand letter from bailiffs that I must pay outstanding council tax for a amount of £593.92 from L B Lewisham.

spoke to council in Lewisham and this outstanding balance is for period between 09/08/2008 and 19/12/2008. i moved out from this property to Luton on 07/08/2008 and started to pay council tax over there.

Lewisham council said that i never closed my account with them that's why must pay this outstanding balance. Otherwise i need confirmation from my landlord that i moved out in Aug 2008.That was a private landlord and there is no way i will get hold with him after 4 years.

Until few days ago when i received letter from bailiffs a never had received any final bill or notice from council in lewisham. Please help, I don't want to pay money i do not own.

[ploddertom]

Re: council tax outstanding balance while i not lived in the property

When you moved did you notify them you were going? Do you have any proof of Tenancy or payments to Council Tax after you moved to your new address? If they say they have no record of you moving why have they only taken it up to 19/12/2008?

[just]

Re: council tax outstanding balance while i not lived in the property

i spoke to luton council they will send me a proof that i paid council tax to them since Aug 2008, lewisham said that we never notify them that i moved out as far as i remember
letter was sent

[ploddertom]

Re: council tax outstanding balance while i not lived in the property

Sounds like a typical response from a Council. Sounds very much as if someone moved in after you left & never notified them of their occupancy, did a flit later and they have now concocted this story. The proof fromyour present Council should be enough. In the meantime ensure the Bailiff does not gain entry, it may actually pay to ask Lewisham to put this in abeyance for 28 days to allow you time to get your proof.

[just]

Re: council tax outstanding balance while i not lived in the property

thank you, just spoke to lewisham they put on hold bailiffs for 2 weeks, this morning I've been told that proof from my current council is not enough, but now when i spoke to different member of staff he advised that they will accept it. so confusing and time-wasting.
thanks for your advise

[bizzybob]

Re: council tax outstanding balance while i not lived in the property

If you have any proof of a new tenancy or a moving in date as suggested by ploddertom, that of itself along with utility bills should be sufficient,

[CleverClogs]

Re: council tax outstanding balance while i not lived in the property

Ask the Lewisham loonies how you could inhabit houses in two boroughs at the same time.