WWYD?

[financialrecovery]

Posted here for traffic, I emailed council tax in January asking why everytime I logged in it showed no balance due and could they give me a breakdown of what I owed. I don't get letters (i wish I did and I've asked plenty of times).
They replied yesterday to let me know I owe 2724 from 2 years unpaid.

They have a fair debt scheme but you have to offer what you're able to pay and wait to see if it's accepted.

I'd have to offer 227 to pay it off in 1 year. I can't afford that. I can't afford anymore than 40 realistically but that would take 5 years to pay off. I already have an IVA I'm paying off so I can't do that. I don't want to insult them. Can anybody advise me what to offer?

I've done an income/expenditure and I have about £85 left per month but that's not including clothing and the things that usually pop up you haven't thought of.

I realise lots of people will want to flame/judge me for being in this position to begin with. That's fine. I accept responsibility for not being on top of things. My family is having an extremely difficult time so I don't need the comments from trolls, just realistic suggestions of what I could offer per month to pay this off if anybody works with the council or has done this before? Thanks

OK. Well, I will just say again that IVAs aren’t usually recommended for people on low incomes but it’s good you haven’t missed any payments there. If it’s been 2 years then you have 4 to go?

In terms of the council tax you’re overthinking this. If you can afford £30, offer £30. It’s not ‘insulting’ - they won’t take it personally, this is their job not you insulting them over a personal loan. If they come back and say no, that is too low, then they’ll give an idea of a minimum ‘fair’ repayment and then you’ll know where you stand.

If the amount they want per month is too high, then you’ll have to go back to renegotiate your IVA payment. This probably won’t go down well, but this is the situation you’re in.

Why not just pick up the phone? That's would have prevented you from getting in this situation and now will be able to help you get out of it. All this emailing and not getting anywhere, there has to come a point where you just phone them?

@flashylamp

Why not just pick up the phone? That's would have prevented you from getting in this situation and now will be able to help you get out of it. All this emailing and not getting anywhere, there has to come a point where you just phone them?

Ah yes, OP will just pop into their time machine and sort that right out.

@therocinante

I said it will help to sort it out

@BrumBoo how long did it take you to pay it off?

[quote financialrecovery]@BrumBoo how long did it take you to pay it off?[/quote]
I've arranged it for a year or so, but that's based on what we can afford. A couple of years ago, we'd probably still be paying it off now, but it is what it is.

@flashylamp I'm not able to speak (physically unable not like I find it overwhelming or anything) so it's had to be via email but that's no excuse.
If I spoke about the reasons I've let it slip I would out myself. All I can really say is that the last few years have been so difficult and traumatic you wouldn't believe it if I wrote it in a novel. That's not for now though.
Now is me picking up the pieces and taking accountability, and paying it off.

Just offer £20 per month. If your circumstances improve you can increase it.

If you are paying off on an IVA, and are this close to not having any money for emergencies, is it realistic? Your credit rating will be shot for 6 years after the IVA, or 6 years after bankruptcy. Is this not a more realistic solution?

I'm not able to speak (physically unable not like I find it overwhelming or anything) so it's had to be via email but that's no excuse.

It's not an excuse, no. It's a bloody good reason. I'm sorry for making assumptions.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/chat-service-money-and-debt/

op you can contact cab via email...hth

Sorry link refers to England...If that's where you are

I would contact the people your IVA is through and ask their advice.

what did you do with the money that you should of put on CT for the last 2 years?

My council is not chasing anyone due to covid. This meant I hadn't paid 3 months council tax before I realised my DD wasn't going through as I'd moved bank account which I changed the DD on but then because I made a change to the account (took person off the bill) apparently its a new account and I needed to set up new DD. When I rang to ask why they hadnt contacted me for it said they weren't chasing anyone due to covid. Now I'm in debt! Whereas if you'd sent me a letter I wouldn't be.... I easily could have been a year down the line if I wasn't checking account so much.

Try not to worry also means they probably aren't putting marks against your credit history. Just offer what you can afford and then stick to it. If you can ever pay extra do ask them to email you statements so you can track how you are paying it off.

Mention you have been looking at online account and it said you didn't owe and you were the one emailing them asking questions.

Raise a complaint at same time not being nasty but so it doesn't happen to anyone else. Have you checked you bank statements for last 2 yrs far any payments to council?

@Daffodil123456

what did you do with the money that you should of put on CT for the last 2 years?

clearly op has had a tough time. it doesn't matter. she is asking for help on how to move forward which is a good thing

If you don't want to contact your local CAB for advice, there are some very good alternative services available. In my work we refer people to payplan and all reports are that they are extremely helpful and non judgemental. There are various similar agency's. Good luck OP, it is far easier than people realise to find yourself in this situation and with help.it is relatively easy to set up a manageable plan so please ignore any judgemental comments.

I think it's likely that you have another online account somewhere which if you could find it and log in would show the true amounts outstanding. Is there any possibility of that? Different email address or something in your husband's name if you live with him?