to ask if you are still paying your council tax, utilities, rent, mortgage etc or been forced to stop them?

[boringrobot]

Just that really.

Everyone is in the same boat and they courts wouldn't be able to prosecute everyone for non-payment, especially if they can't pay because they have lost their jobs and have no money.

I will probably pay but will be late as my wages will be much less.

I cant imagine what would happen if people stopped paying their council tax, councils are pretty broke already

What frustrates me about council tax is that some authorities have postponed it for 2 months so people will get their payment free months now instead of the last 2 months of the 12 month cycle. Ours haven’t and it would really help right now.

But I suspect a lot of people will default. It’s not a question of just not wanting to pay it.

I was wondering this myself! I gave the grand total of £0.00 to pay any bills this month, wondering what on Earth will happen?

What frustrates me about council tax is that some authorities have postponed it for 2 months so people will get their payment free months now instead of the last 2 months of the 12 month cycle. Ours haven’t and it would really help right now

Our break is always April and March, are you sure other authorities have changed, not just that is their normal 2 month break?

I think there’s a danger that with so much monetary support currently promised by the government, people will think other financial commitments will be relaxed, council tax etc but I don’t think it will. The non payers will be chased hard when the pandemic has passed.

I am currently WFH but DH is not working, think we should be able to manage the mortgage but not sure we will be able to pay utility bills and council tax.

Yes Igotthem the authority neighbouring ours made an announcement about it. Ours is coming out tomorrow - I can see it pending.

We are having our 2 free council tax months now rather then at end of the paying year.

Paying all bills this week then looking into possible payment holiday on mortgage and DH credit card...

I am still getting paid so will pay car loan, tax, food shopping and my credit card plus half of gas and electric.

DH is Self Employed but also the higher earner in our home

Yes all bills are being paid!

thing is they can't just let some people off, or everyone will stop paying.

Still paying as luckily still can.

Our council needs the council tax. They explained they will help as they can but with the government slashing the budgets, they simply can't just say "well, forget about it, it's fine".

Utilities. Well they might not take you to court, but wouldn't the defaults show on credit score?

Speak with everyone. If any of you have trouble because you lost your income, do not ignore it. Speak with them all. Have a look at Money saving expert too. Follow Martin Lewis on twitter. Just don't bury your head in a sand. That would make it all go away for now, but it would come back later as much bigger and angrier debt monster.

@thewinkingprawn My council aren't advertising it but I emailed them and they have agreed I can pay June to March.

I think they will allow time for people to pay arrears when this ends then go after people for outstanding debts.

I've spent the day on the phone today. I have deferred my council tax payments until June, have a payment break for my credit card and have halved my gas and electric bill for the next 3 months. Every one I've spoken to have been very understanding and helpful. Even with that we will really struggle with Dp with no income until June and me furloughed. It will definitely help though and it's worth people trying. Hopefully we will still be able to pay the rent.

We are taking mortgage holidays for 3 months (have 2), and the council is letting us defer the 10 council tax payments so instead of April-Jan we pay June-March, still pay the full amount over the year.

I’ve moved all the credit cards onto a long 0% deal so will pay minimums for a while.

I’m on mat leave (SMP only now and that stops soon) and DH’s job looks unstable and he doesn’t qualify for Furlough unfortunately. We have a BTL and can’t get new tenants in lockdown. So we are looking to minimise our cash expenditure for now. We have savings but not enough.

I pay my council tax over 12 payments rather than 10. My council offered me the choice when I recently moved. I prefer 12 smaller payments

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/help-with-your-council-tax-council-tax-reduction/council-tax-reduction-making-an-application/council-tax-reduction-who-can-apply/

For all those querying council tax payments. You can apply for discretionary council tax reduction. This is a fund that each local authority has that is completely discretionary. I think in current circumstances, local authorities will look at using these powers to support council tax payers. Ask them to award if you're struggling to pay.

Utilities and council tax are okay at the moment.

We've just missed our car finance payments - we applied to be considered for a payment holiday but haven't heard back yet so just had to cancel the direct debits.

Mortgage has had to be put on a payment holiday.

If this continues for more than another 2-3 months we'll have to borrow money from family (lucky to be able to do so) or else food and bills will get tricky.

We need to apply for UC this week but that's nothing compared to our outgoings.

I will still be paying as am in the fortunate position to still be working

I am going to be seeing a small drop in pay due to no longer being able to carry out an ‘acting up’ role but will probably make enough savings on petrol and the gym membership which has currently been stopped

I cant imagine what would happen if people stopped paying their council tax, councils are pretty broke already

Something like a quarter or a third of council tax is just paying towards their pensions. It's not all paying for services. I don't even have a pension myself yet I have to pay council workers pensions!

Something like a quarter or a third of council tax is just paying towards their pensions. It's not all paying for services. I don't even have a pension myself yet I have to pay council workers pensions!

Do you have any paper on that? That seems like a high number

Thankfully I've cleared my mortgage and as an NHS nurse, my job and income are safe. I'm very aware, though, others will be badly affected. I think it will take a long time for the economy to recover from this.

To the OP the courts will prosecute people
who do not pay their council tax eventually.
I say eventually as even if you can't pay now you will end up having to pay, be it deductions from wages or benefits or pension credit.
As much as I believe my council is taking the piss with the rise this year and the charges, they do have an awful lot to pay out and successive government budget squeezes means many are struggling anyway.
Get ahead as much as you can now and agree reduced or deferred payment terms.
I used to volunteer at a debt charity please keep in touch with council / credit cards/ car finance etc etc don't ignore letters don't go awol keep communication open.