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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Can anyone PLEASE help calm me down? Council tax final reminder bill

21 replies

Cerridwen83 · 21/12/2022 16:35

Hi all
Full disclosure, I have severe anxiety (on medication) and currently have Covid too so am not feeling good in general anyway, which may be affecting my reasoning.

So I have just received a Final Reminder from the council tax department. They say I have missed a payment (which I did a couple of months ago, I've just checked).

The letter gives me 7 days to pay or "the full balance will be due and the next step will be a court summons."

The letter is dated 6th December but I've only just received it, probably because of the Postal strikes.
Just tried to call them on the number provided but they closed at 1.30pm so couldn't get through.

So because I didn't pay in 7 days I'm going to be liable for the full amount now? Even though I have only just received the reminder letter?
No emails or texts were ever received.

My fault for missing a payment obviously but this is really making me anxious and I keep imagining being ordered to pay the whole amount or being taken to court.
I will phone them tomorrow morning but in the meantime does anyone have any reassurances that they will be understanding??

Thanks for your kindness.

OP posts:

cheeseandwineissofine · 21/12/2022 16:37

Just give them a ring tomorrow.

Ive always found the council tax office to be fairly reasonable I think the letter you received is a standard letter to anyone who misses a payment and I'm sure they can see by your account that it's not a reoccurring thing.

Hope this helps. If you can't get through just pop down to your town hall.

Lockheart · 21/12/2022 16:38

Make the missed payment now. Call the council first thing in the morning.

Fynix · 21/12/2022 16:39

As long as you make the payment, they will most likely be understanding. In the past it has happened to me and they have been understanding took payment and carried with payment plan. But obviously different council so can't say 100%, but I wouldn't worry.

Roselilly36 · 21/12/2022 16:39

Try not to panic, the letter is designed to get a response, call them tomorrow morning, I am sure they will help.

Flamingogirl08 · 21/12/2022 16:41

It'll be fine, happened to me when I moved house and they messed it all up so I accidently missed a payment and I got the same letter. I just rang them up and they were very friendly and sorted it out. Just make sure you ring tomorrow

Iam4eels · 21/12/2022 16:41

Just give them a call tomorrow, IME they're usually really understanding about it and they're aware that missing a payment is easily done.

I've missed one before when I changed banks and the direct debit didn't transfer. The council gave me the option of paying it there and then, re-profiling my remaining payments so they'd be slightly higher to cover the amount, or tacking it onto the end of the year so I'd make the final payment for that year in February rather than January.

bloodywhitecat · 21/12/2022 16:41

Can you make the payment now online then speak to them in the morning? I had a similar situation a while ago and they were happy for me to continue making monthly payments so I wouldn't worry too much.

CoffeeAndEnnui · 21/12/2022 16:43

As others above have said just take a deep breath and make a call. They'll either let you make the payment and be done with it or allow you to set up a payment plan with revised dates. Even if you'd ignored letters and things had gone as far as court you could still agree on a payment plan by detailing incomings and outgoings and you are many stages ahead of that point. All will be well.

SequinsandStilettos · 21/12/2022 16:43

I have had this twice and a court summons once. They cancelled the latter when they realised I had, in fact, paid. It just hadn't been cross-referenced.
The final reminder is the penultimate step. You are fine, I promise and they are very reasonable as long as you ring them straight away.
If you are struggling they may also move your payments to cover Feb/March instead to make it up that way.

oviraptor21 · 21/12/2022 16:43

Agree with the above. The councils we deal with just want to be sure that you won't ignore them but are very reasonable once you've made contact and shown them you are willing and able to pay.

SirenSays · 21/12/2022 16:43

They purposely word them like that to scare you. Don't let it rattle you just call when you can.

Outtasteamandluck · 21/12/2022 16:44

Why don't you pay by direct debit ?

Ocrumbs · 21/12/2022 16:45

Don't panic. Give them a call. They'd rather take payment from you now that take you to court much less hassle plus there's the post strikes etc.

user147283116 · 21/12/2022 16:47

In my area they would just set you back up with installments if you've only missed one payment. Try not to worry, it is unlikely they will still demand the full amount in one go.

NotEvenSlightlyReasonable · 21/12/2022 16:50

I used to work for them. There is a legal process that they follow and if you ignore them it will go all the way. If you phone up, offer either a payment plan to get back on track or to clear it now, and speak nicely to them, it should be fine. In my experience those who shouted or swore at us didn't get as much help as those who said, look, there's been a problem, what can I do to fix it?

They are all people on the end of the phone, I wanted to help people who were polite and reasonable. The ones who threatened me with a shotgun, not so much!

Good luck, and please don't panic.

LakieLady · 21/12/2022 16:51

Yes, ring them when they're open again, or email them. If you can make a payment on account online, do that, so they'll know you're not just trying to swerve it.

I've always found them very helpful when I've had to call them on behalf of clients, and I think I've had that sort of conversation with almost every district/borough council in two counties.

VioletLemon · 21/12/2022 16:56

Standard procedure. Call them tomorrow or if they are closed email and propose they add the cost of missed payments to outstanding amount over the next 10 months.

They send aggressive letters as a matter of course. I have had disputes over these letters where they ended up apologising to me as it was their mistake.

As long as you contact with a proposal it will be fine. Phoning is best as you will immediately feel much better when you have it sorted. If Scotland many LA offices last day is tomorrow. They will send you a confirmation email if you go that way, you will have proof you contacted. Explain postal issues etc.

Francisca459 · 21/12/2022 17:01

Don't panic. That happened to me. I used to pay online monthly but something happened and I forgot one month. Horrible letter with threats of court after being late with one payment in ten years with that council. I rang up and paid over the phone. Some councils now you can pay online and /or they have a dedicated phoneline. Just pay the month asap.

lanthanum · 21/12/2022 17:10

Give them a call, make the payment, and it will be fine - they'll just be glad to tick the box that you've paid.

Bluetrews25 · 21/12/2022 17:13

'Why don't you pay by direct debit?' asks a PP
Well perhaps OP does.
Sometimes they bounce if the cash isn't there in time.Not everyone has a big fat current account every day of the month.

Original poster

Cerridwen83 · 21/12/2022 21:19

Thank you all everyone who has taken the time to reply and reassure me, it is so much appreciated!
I have now paid what I owe and will call them first thing tomorrow morning.

And yes my DD did bounce! It was back in September when i was having financial woes.

Thank you everyone for your help. Merry Christmas 😍

OP posts:

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